[Dixielandjazz] Attention Dixieland Jazz Lovers - Shameless Plug

[Bret E. Bradford]

A note from John Skillman that I thought should be passed on.... 

Hi Jazz Fans,

John Skillman here from the (retired) Buck Creek Jazz Band and the Coast-To-Coast Jazz Band. I want to let you know about a fabulous Jazz Cruise coming up this fall (28 Nov - 5 Dec10), that you may not have heard about! This is the "JazzFest At Sea" Cruise put on every fall by Cruise and Vacation Depot of  Casselberry, Florida. (See www.JazzFestAtSea.com). The cruise starts and ends in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Special Program for Musicians and Singers.  This cruise now offers (for the first time) an opportunity for cruisers that play an instrument to join in!  Don't be shy,  bring your axe and join in the jam and sing-along sessions. The Cruse will be offering more than thirty (30) hours of opportunity for our amateur musicians to get up on stage and jam both with our pros and in your own “JazzFest Jammers” and Sing-A-Long sessions. This is in addition to the regular Pro-Jazz musician sessions.  There will be a jazz clinic session for our guests that would appreciate some instruction and critique.  Don't worry tho .... mostly it will just be an opportunity to play lots of jazz to develop your skills and just have fun with others of like interests.

Your Music Leaders: The JazzFest Jammers will be led by a core-band, the "New Orleans Stompers",  3 top-notch and experienced jazz musicians and teachers. These are three guys I play with a lot and they are great. They are on the cruise just for you .... to coordinate your jam sessions and maybe even provide some instruction.
The Stompers are:
    Phil Stone - Cornet / Trombone/ Tuba/ Guitar/Vocals/Session Coordinator 
    Mike Evans - Banjo/Guitar/ Vocals/ Leader
    Sid Townsend - Bass/Tuba/Music Teacher

I know these guys are not as well known as the rest of the Pros on the cruise, but take it from me, they are outstanding musicians and just fun people. You will really enjoy playing with them. I wish I could be there too, (and that was the original plan) but I have a previous commitment and can't be aboard for this one.

In addition to all the fun playing, you get to hear some of the best practitioners of our music playing today... musicians like:   Bill Allred, Allan Vache, Bob Leary, Warren Vache, Jeff Phillips, Joe Ascione, Terry Blaine, Johnny Varro, Randy Reinhart, John Allred, John Orsini, Terry Meyers, Paul Keller, Eddie Metz Jr , Banu Gibson, John Sheridan..... and more, plus 7 days of cruising thru-out the Eastern Caribbean. 

All this for a price starting at $999 including taxes (plus air fare), and if you book before 31 August you get a free upgrade to the next class of cabin!  Reserve your room now. Support our kind of music.. ...Call  (800) 654-8090 or (407) 571-2252.

If you need more info you can visit the web site or call the above number.


 John Skillman
 Clarinet Guy
 Dekalb IL and Lake Wales Florida