Lineup

David Foster is one of the most illustrious composers of our time. With 16 GRAMMY®  Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Songs,” Foster has earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Michael Bublé.

Few other individuals can claim to have their fingerprints on more major moments in all of popular music than David Foster. He has created hit songs for a diverse array of artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind Fire, Tony Braxton, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Hall Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs and Gloria Estefan.

In 2008 and 2011, Foster stepped out as a performer in his own right with Hitman, David Foster and Friends PBS specials which became PBS’ highest-rated shows in decades. In 2018/19 Foster started touring with his show ‘An Intimate Evening with David Foster’. The shows garnered rave reviews and were so successful that he now devotes much of his time to selling out concerts around the world. Foster composed the scores to “Boop!” a new Broadway musical about the iconic animated character Betty Boop. In 2023 David released a Christmas album with Katharine McPhee, titled Christmas Songs. Foster has made charitable work his life’s other priority.

Meeting with a young girl from his hometown who was awaiting a liver transplant had a profound impact and led him to create The David Foster Foundation in 1986. Its mission is to provide financial support to Canadian families with children in need of live-saving organ transplants, along with a new focus on organ donor awareness.

With a career distinguished by five GRAMMY Awards, numerous chart-topping hits and collaborations with some of the most celebrated names in music, Michael McDonald remains one of the most enduring and influential figures in popular music. A native of St. Louis, McDonald moved to Los Angeles in the early ’70s, quickly establishing himself as an in-demand studio musician before joining Steely Dan. In the mid-’70s, he became a pivotal member of the Doobie Brothers, helping to define the band’s iconic sound as a vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter. His contributions to timeless hits such as “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin,” “Minute by Minute” and the GRAMMY winning “What a Fool Believes” cemented his status as a musical powerhouse. Launching a highly successful solo career throughout the ’80s and ’90s, McDonald delivered a string of hits including “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” “Sweet Freedom,” “On My Own” with Patti LaBelle and the GRAMMY winning duet “Yah Mo B There” with James Ingram, in addition to co-writing Van Halen’s smash hit “I’ll Wait.” In 2017, McDonald released Wide Open, his first album of all new original material in nearly a decade to widespread critical acclaim. In 2020, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers. McDonald will shortly be inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He continues to tour extensively worldwide, both as a solo artist and with the Doobie Brothers.

Five-time GRAMMY® winner Dianne Reeves is one of the most pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world. As a result of her breathtaking virtuosity, improvisational prowess, and unique jazz and R&B stylings, Dianne received the GRAMMY® for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for three consecutive recordings—a GRAMMY® first in any vocal category. Featured in George Clooney’s six-time Academy Award nominated Good Night, and Good Luck, Reeves won the Best Jazz Vocal GRAMMY® for the film’s soundtrack.

Dianne has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. She has also recorded with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim and was a featured soloist with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic. Dianne was the first Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the first vocalist to ever perform at the famed Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Dianne worked with legendary producer Arif Mardin on the GRAMMY® winning A Little Moonlight, an intimate collection of standards featuring her touring trio. Her album, Beautiful Life, featured Gregory Porter, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway and Esperanza Spalding and was produced by Terri Lyne Carrington. Beautiful Life won the 2015 GRAMMY® for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. Dianne is the recipient of honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music and the Juilliard School. In 2018 the National Endowment for the Arts designated Reeves a Jazz Master—the highest honor the United States bestows on jazz artists. She has sailed on both The Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea in past years.

Katharine McPhee is one of a handful of artists who takes the lead in a career that includes film, television, Broadway, recording and concert tours. Katharine first burst onto the scene in 2006, during a successful run on Season 5 of American Idol, that made her a household name. As an actress, she is well-known to television audiences from her roles in CBS’ spy drama Scorpion, NBC musical drama Smash and the Netflix comedy series, Country Comfort. As a singer, Katharine is renowned for her powerhouse presence, and show-stopping performances. Her recordings have topped the charts in multiple genres including pop, jazz and adult contemporary. In 2018, McPhee made her Broadway debut starring as Jenna in the hit musical “Waitress,” featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. In addition to her acting and singing career, McPhee is a passionate philanthropist, having served as an ambassador for organizations such as BuildOn, Malaria No More, and Feeding America. Katharine continues to perform at many charitable events including The David Foster Foundation of which she is an avid supporter. A veteran of the concert stage, Katharine performs to sold out audiences around the world. Most recently Katharine paired with David Foster to create a show called ‘An Intimate Evening with David Foster and Katharine McPhee.’ This in demand show has garnered rave reviews and they perform to sold out concert venues around the world. Christmas 2022 Katharine released Part 1 of her Christmas album called Christmas Songs. A collection of Christmas classics produced by David Foster. Part 2 was released Christmas 2023.

Pia Toscano made a name for herself as a vocalist with a rich, emotionally transparent voice, clearly influenced by the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Etta James.

Performing since the age of four, Toscano was widely considered one of American Idol’s Season 10 frontrunners thanks to her powerhouse vocal ability and undeniable beauty. Her elimination was known as one of the most shocking in American Idol history, but that didn’t stop her momentum. Toscano toured with American Idol’s Live, Jennifer Lopez and has performed on The Ellen Show, The Tonight Show, Live with Regis & Kelly, Good Morning America and much more; Toscano performed alongside Jennifer Lopez in her Vegas Residency, “All I Have” and regularly tours with David Foster and Andrea Bocelli. Pia released her debut Christmas Album, Christmas With You, which topped the charts in new releases for 2021.

In the Fall of 2022, Pia released her first album, I’m Good, of originally written music including a collaboration with Usher. At the same time, she headlined her own show in Las Vegas with AGT’s Daniel Emmet which was filmed as a PBS special which aired throughout the US in December. In addition, Pia starred in the movie/music 1660 Vine where she plays an aspiring country singer, Rose. Pia’s latest music release was her latest single called “Labor of Love.”

After accompanying Andrea Bocelli at Vina Del Mar in February of 2024, Pia headlined her first arena shows in Chile.

Multi-talented vocal phenomenon and Grammy nominee Sheléa has been mentored and toured with the late great Quincy Jones while earning non-stop hosannas from icons like Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah and David Foster. She has developed her stellar rep as the industry’s “go to” performer paying homage to the legends who inspired her own beautiful personal artistry. Marking the latest dynamic chapter in her emergence as an impactful singer/songwriter, her new collection Spirit – which she playfully calls “my retro-soul happy Amy Winehouse album” – is the latest manifestation of her innate, long-cherished ability to draw on the emotional power of a song to connect the hearts and souls of multiple generations. Effortlessly and intuitively blending traditional pop, jazz and R&B with rousing touches of her background growing up in church in Bakersfield, CA, Sheléa’s soaring voice has taken her to Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, The Vatican (for the 2024 Concert For Jubilee) and the White House twice, where she honored Burt Bacharach and Hal David by singing the Dionne Warwick classic “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and later returned for a duet of “Night Time is the Right Time” with Anthony Hamilton for the Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles event in the presence of President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Expanding her repertoire further, Sheléa made her debut as an actress playing Dorinda Clark in the 2020 Lifetime biopic The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, which drew 2.7M viewers (the network’s highest rated TV film of the year) and earned both Critic’s Choice and NAACP Image Award nominations. Traveling internationally as a featured vocalist in An Intimate Evening with David Foster, Sheléa worked her magic on classics made famous by Natalie Cole (“Unforgettable”), Chaka Khan (“Through the Fire”), Toni Braxton (“Unbreak My Heart”) and, in duet with Pia Toscano, assuming the Barbra Streisand role on “Tell Him.” She then brought the house down with her Whitney Houston Bodyguard medley. Years earlier, when the singer appeared as a special guest at the Grammy Museum with Whitney’s producer Narada Michael Walden, fans came up to Sheléa afterward and said they adored the then-recently departed) Whitney, and now they loved her. She says, “They told me they felt that I captured her spirit, but they felt my heart.” That’s exactly the kind of intuitive spiritual connection Sheléa has brought to Aretha!, the globally celebrated show she and maestro Jules Buckley created to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul – and which became a major part of the inspiration behind the writing and recording of Spirit. Featuring deep cuts from throughout Ms. Franklin’s career (including early jazz cuts) in addition to her well- known classic Atlantic and Arista hits, the show debuted at the Royal Albert Hall in the summer of 2022 – and Sheléa and Buckley soon began touring it in throughout Europe. In addition to an encore performance at Royal Albert Hall in December 2024, Sheléa recently recorded Aretha! for her 10th PBS Special, with music conducted by the Emmy Award winning Rickey Minor, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA. To Sheléa, the debut of Aretha! On PBS coinciding with the time frame of the release of Spirit is perfect synchronicity. “The snowball effect has been in full force from the time Jules and I met, conceived and performed the Aretha show to when the idea for a new album came to me and the songwriting and production process began,” she says. “When I saw how audiences were responding to songs like ‘Chain of Fools’ decades after Aretha recorded them, it hit me that there is a vacuum these days in the musical culture for this kind of pure soulful joy. That’s what Spirit the album is, joyful and introspective. I wanted to create an album that gets people grooving and is reminiscent of the soulfulness of the past while also feeling very today and contemporary. I feel like nobody else is doing that right now – and that the lane is wide open for me to create the kind of album Aretha would be doing in 2025 were she still with us.” Although her longtime connections with Jones, Foster and Walden put the industry’s top producers in her potential orbit, Sheléa found the perfect songwriting and production partner in another storied studio veteran, Davy Nathan, whom she met at an event for A Perfect World, an organization founded by Eric Benet’s wife Manuela Testolini. Nathan, whose studio and touring/music director resume includes Mary J. Blige, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton and Jason Derulo (that’s the short list!), came up to Sheléa and told her he had always been a fan and would love to work with her. His exact words were, “You’re one of the greatest singers of your generation.” “I knew the kind of album I wanted to make, and vibing and collaborating with Davy really helped cement my vision,” says Sheléa, whose previous discography includes the albums Love Fell on Me (2013), You (2015), the Marilyn and Alan Bergman tribute Pretty World (2019) and a flurry of singles throughout the early 2020s. “Everything happened so easily and organically. As we continued to work on tracks, building from a few potential singles to a full album, I felt like we weren’t just chasing hits, but making music that just felt good. My goal was to create a body of work I can sing over and over, with songs that felt as close and heartfelt to me as the classics of others I’ve performed for years. The eight tracks on the album truly came from my heart and spirit, and perfectly match what I envisioned. Everything I bring has a soul to it, just like Aretha had.” In the Fall of 2024, Sheléa sang Spirit’s first lead single, the hopeful vocal, guitar and strings driven ballad “Something’s Coming,” at a Kamala Harris fundraiser at the invitation of the Vice President’s sister Maya. She later performed it as a special guest on Stevie Wonder’s “Sing Your Song!” tour, to a collective audience totaling over 100,000. Now that we’re in 2025, Sheléa says, “We need this song now more than ever. Hope is on the horizon, and we have to unify to move forward.” While the Sheléa-Nathan collabs began with the romantic power ballad “I Love You” (“our Lionel Richie song,” she muses) and many of the songs reflect the singer’s current status of being “blissfully in love,” Spirit is a multi-faceted journey infused with intense vocal passion, a multitude of tempos (including the bluesy, swinging “headbob” of “Never Give Up” and “Our Way,” a jaunty ode to the playful Motown-Supremes excitement) and even a bit of sassy attitude on the buoyant, choir-filled “I Don’t Care,” in which Sheléa lists all the important things she cares about – and the things from a past relationship that she doesn’t. Other gems on Spirit include dreamy, blues-inflected light funk romp “Good To Me”; the infectious, high energy, New Orleans stomp groove fired title track, about feeling one’s significant other with her even when she’s away on the road; and the sensual, soaring closer “Time Machine,” a classic R&B styled song about regret after a break-up. “Growing up in a home where we listened exclusively to gospel music, I have beautiful memories of being a toddler harmonizing with my mom and sitting at a wooden piano, writing little songs,” says Sheléa. “I’ve always said I didn’t choose music – it’s a divine thing and God chose me to be a vessel of musicality. No matter what I’ve been through in my life, I’ve never lost my childlike love of singing and creating it. With Spirit, I am connecting with the joy I am experiencing now, sharing a body of work that will one day help me remember this amazing era in my life. I’m so excited to start touring the album and inviting fans to become an integral part of my story.” Her 2013 debut album, Love Fell On Me, featured the self-penned title track from the film Jumping the Broom and the Billboard-charting single “I’ll Never Let You Go,” which peaked at #22 on the R&B charts. But it was her heartfelt tribute to Whitney Houston—a 10-song, self-arranged medley performed at the keyboard—that launched her into viral stardom and revealed to the world an artist of rare depth, control, and reverence. Sheléa’s brilliance has drawn the admiration of music’s elite. She has worked alongside a who’s who of industry legends, including Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Sergio Mendes, Narada Michael Walden, Rickey Minor, and Dave Koz. Her collaborations and performances reflect not only technical mastery but emotional richness and authenticity that resonates across generations. Called “one of the greatest artists of her generation” by the iconic Quincy Jones, Sheléa is more than a vocalist—she is a storyteller, arranger, producer, and pianist whose artistry continues to evolve and inspire. Whether commanding the stage of a world-renowned venue or delivering an intimate ballad, she radiates timeless soul, fearless talent, and a voice that truly knows no bounds.

Erich Bergen is best known for playing Blake Moran on the hit television show Madam Secretary, as well as his critically-acclaimed performance as Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, a role he performed on stage on tour and in Las Vegas, and reprised in Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation. Most recently, he was seen on Broadway in Boop! The Betty Boop Musical, as well as the musicals Waitress and Chicago. Other television credits include: BULL, The Good Fight, Gossip Girl, and more. This year, Erich will star in the highly anticipated TV show, Love Story, on FX, which tells the story of JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette.

“A phenomenal talent whose feel for classic soul music is bone deep…This woman is on fire.” — The New York Times

When talking about Morgan James, it’s best to start with the voice – an instrument through which she can communicate anything. A gift bestowed upon her that she has expertly trained, meticulously nurtured, and passionately galvanized into action by an urgency to make real music. Next, the stories, and she has them in spades. They are full of truth and beauty, heartache and thoughtfulness. They reveal colors we weren’t expecting to see. They make us close our eyes and relate. And finally, the soul – the emotional and intellectual energy through which these parts are fueled. That special something that prompted The Wall Street Journal to herald her as “the most promising young vocalist to come along so far this century.” Morgan James is a soul singer and one voice is all it takes. The right vocalist can make you fall in love at first listen, elicit tears or bring you back to a different era altogether. A microphone and a stage remain the only necessities. That holds true for New York-based soul singer, songwriter, and Broadway actress Morgan James.

Morgan’s latest full album Nobody’s Fool is a luminous love letter to 90s R&B, featuring nine brand new songs, and one cover of Jeff Buckley‘s “Everybody Here Wants You”; the release of which culminated in a 60 city US tour with her band. The album is her third original soul album recorded at the world-class Memphis Magnetic Recording, along with Memphis Magnetic and A Very Magnetic Christmas, both recorded live to analog tape.

Jonathan Butler was raised amidst Apartheid in South Africa. Releasing his first album at age 12, he was awarded the South African “Grammy” for Best New Artist and was the first black artist aired on white South African radio. By 13, he had earned three gold records. More than a decade later, Jonathan released his first album internationally, which also went gold. He received GRAMMY® nominations for Best R&B Song for his hit “Lies” and for Best Jazz Song for the instrumental “Going Home.” Jonathan’s long-awaited record Unbuntu, produced by Marcus Miller, was released in April 2023 and has hit #1 on the smooth jazz charts. Jonathan remains a musical icon today in South Africa and around the world.

Bio to come!

Jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio and creator of the “Masters Legacy Series,” Cohen is an internationally acclaimed jazz artist and dedicated music educator. Winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, Emmet is also an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. Emmet Cohen has performed, recorded, or collaborated with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Herlin Riley, Lea DeLaria, and Bill T. Jones.

World-renowned, GRAMMY® winning musician, John JR Robinson is the drummer to the soundtrack of our lives. Having played on recordings that have sold well over 500 million copies and currently streamed well into the trillions, JR’s grooves are featured on many legendary hits with artists Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Daft Punk, Madonna, Steve Winwood, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie, The Pointer Sisters, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Barbra Streisand and many more.

When JR is not in the studio, he performs with his own groups and tours with various artists. JR’s talents also extend into drumming masterclasses, motivational speaking and writing. JR’s autobiography King of the Groove-The John JR Robinson Story is now available.

Boh Cooper has worked with world-class musicians such as Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East, John “JR” Robinson, Dean Parks, Michael Thompson, Randy Waldman and many other “A list” Los Angeles-based musicians. 

When 16 time GRAMMY® winner, David Foster, called his friend, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Legend, Peter Cetera and asked if he had any suggestions for a keyboardist for his tour, Peter replied “You gotta hear my guy!” That guy was Boh Cooper. Foster did hear Boh Cooper & hired him to be a part of his musical productions. Boh is now currently his music director.

Keith Nelson is a world-class guitar player and community leader. For over forty years, he has energized artists and bands, making exceptional music across the globe.

Keith has worked with such astounding talent as David Foster, Andrea Bocelli, Donna Summer, Shania Twain, Sheena Easton, Dino, Peaches and Herb and many more. He’s also contributed to an array of Las Vegas production shows including Disney’s The Lion King, Signed, Sealed, Delivered (featuring Chaka Khan), At the Copa (featuring David Cassidy & Sheena Easton) and many more.

Botti at Sea Music Director Eric Marienthal has won two GRAMMY® Awards and has been nominated ten times as a member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band, Jeff Lorber Fusion and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Having performed in over 80 countries and played on hundreds of recordings, films and TV shows, Eric also has recorded 15 solo recordings including his latest entitled Double Dealin’ with his friend Randy Brecker. Eric’s recordings have produced several top 10 radio singles including three tunes that reached #1 on its respective chart.

Eric is the recipient of the Berklee College of Music Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music. Eric was also named one of the top 3 alto saxophonists in Jazziz Magazine’s Readers Poll along with Phil Woods and David Sanborn. For the past 22 years Eric has organized an annual charity concert for the High Hopes Head Injury Program in Tustin, CA. These concerts have raised awareness for this great organization and have raised over 2 million dollars.

For the past few years, Eric has applied his vast knowledge and experience in the world of jazz to being the Music Director for all of Jazz Cruises’ sailings. In that challenging role, Eric is charged with curating the performances, schedules and support for hundreds of the top musicians in the world. His ability to perform this task with skill and professionalism has made the quality of the programming on those sailings among the very best in the world.

Arlington Jones began his piano studies in classical music but added jazz while in college. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in music, composition, arranging, performance, theory and jazz studies. His music reveals the history of traditional and modern jazz, influenced by ragtime, classical, blues and sacred styles. He has multiple album recordings, piano music books, and a jazz techniques book. His main jazz music influences are Oscar Peterson and Duke Ellington.

Born and raised in Ohio, Kevin Turner was trained as a jazz guitarist but spent an equal amount of time playing in the pop genre. Besides being a performer, Kevin is a writer, producer and educator. He has owned a private recording studio for nearly 15 years. Kevin co-wrote (with his wife Cynthia Turner) and produced two projects by the national recording gospel ensemble Cynthia Turner and Heartspeak. This award-winning group performed across the country in the 2000s and was featured on BET’s  Bobby Jones Gospel Show. Kevin presently tours and records with GRAMMY® award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

Nate Phillips has been a long time member of the Jazz Cruises’ family going on 19 years, probably one of the longest reigns of almost anyone. With Nate’s musical history which includes sessions and tours with many of the artist who perform on our cruises he continues to enjoy his love of music and his supporting role. Over his career Nate has worked with many artist including the group Pleasure, The Crusaders, Ronnie Laws, Jeff Lorber, Herb Alpert, George Benson, The Dazz Band, Esther Phillips, Bobby Lyle, Wayne Henderson, Gabor Szabo, Roy Ayers, Chico Hamilton, Joe Henderson, The Dramatics, Willie Bobo, Narada Michael Walden, Billy Cobham, Harvey Mason, Hubert Laws,Lee Ritenour, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Marcus Miller, EnVogue, The United We Funk Allstars, George Clinton, Wilton Felder, Bobby Caldwell, Patti Austin, Regina Bell, Swing Out Sister, Eric Marienthal, Art Porter, Cheap Trick, The Barkays, The Gap Band, The SOS Band, Con FunkShun, Lenny Williams, Michael Henderson, Sherrille, Alexander O’Neal, Bobby Lyle, Mindi Abair, Euge Groove, Everett Harp, Peter White, WaymanTisdale, Bobby Caldwell, Brenda Russell and Brian Culbertson.

Jay Williams is no stranger to the Gospel, Jazz and R&B community. With a little over 3 decades of experience, Jay combines fine technique, professionalism, structure and discipline to the God-given art of drumming he has been blessed. Jay started playing drums at the tender age of 3, along side his dad the late Judge Williams, Sr. who was a phenomenal organist in the Washington D.C. area. Playing in church helped cultivate his sense of music and love for the drums. It wasn’t long after Jay took interest in exploring other styles of music, his interest grew to appreciate styles like jazz, rock, R&B, latin, and country. By the age of 18 years, Jay found himself professionally working in the Washington, DC vibrant music scene. Jay’s passion, hard work and dedication along with his experience eventually led up to him professionally working with numerous main stream artist around the world. Jay’s versatile yet flexible gift has gained him local, national and international media coverage, as well as the opportunity to illustrate his art of drumming during National conventions. Jay has been viewed by many on various televised shows featured on BET, MTV, The Word Network, Mega Hertz, WHUR Christmas DVD Special and other local televised stations. Jay has also performed in countless venues throughout the country and abroad. Jay also received recognition as Co-Producer for the 2009 3 time Stellar-Award nominated CD “The John Tillery Project.” If you would ask Jay “What does he love most about his music career?” He would tell you, “I love playing music, I believe music is healing to all…I love to see how music make people feel, the smile on there face is priceless.”