The Legendary R&B Cruise

by Joseph A. Rosen with an introduction by Rick Landers

Award-winning photographer and frequent contributor to Modern Guitars Magazine, Joseph A. Rosen, shares some remarkable memories from a new form of vacation escape where folks enjoy beautiful sites while meeting, listening to, and stomping their feet with some of the greatest R&B, blues, and roots players of our time.

Each January, the Legendary R&B Cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (U.S.), and stops at several ports in the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico. In October, 2006, music fans can join the inaugural voyage of a west coast version of the cruise.

Joe sailed with the Legendary R&B Cruise crew from January 8-15, 2006. This version of the Cruise has been around since 2002 and unites great music with the cruise experience - a unique opportunity to enjoy the sounds of hard scrapple Delta blues, Chicago blues, Creole Zydeco, Deep Soul, modern blues rock and R&B in a relaxed yet energizing setting.

Definitely not your grandma's cruise, each of the more than 15 acts plays a series of shows along with planned or impromptu jam sessions where both the pros and cruisers join forces.

The cruise line has staked out some great ideas by offering passengers a variety of interactive experiences, including instrument and industry related workshops, autograph sessions, film showings, and theme nights.

So, let's grab a pina colada, relax, and join photographer Joe Rosen as he shares his cruise experience and special moments in pictures.

The Legendary R&B Cruise by Joseph A. Rosen

Veteran Bluesman John Hammond performed traditional acoustic blues and some of his own recently penned compositions in the intimate setting of the Queen's Lounge. John also shared his talents and insights in one of the cruise's acoustic workshops. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Creole Zydeco star, Stanley Dural, Jr., better known as Buckwheat Zydeco, rocked the big stages with his special brand of accordion driven Louisiana Zydeco Soul. In addition, he led some rousing late night jams on his original instrument, the Hammond B3 Organ. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Blues, roots and world music hero Taj Mahal brought his own unique sound to the cruise. His shows featured the legendary Tuba Band and an array of great players. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Soul Diva Millie Jackson came with her own mix of salty style and sassy soul. Her shows were big fun and her raps were pointed, clever and hilarious. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Bob Margolin, veteran of many years on the blues circuit, seven with in the Muddy Waters Band. Bob led the Blues Legends Band which included veteran stars of Muddy's and Howlin' Wolf's bands. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

At 92, Pinetop Perkins, is one of the grand old men of the blues. A Mississippi Delta original, he held the piano bench in the Muddy Waters Band for 20 years. He still plays with soulful authority and is loved and a crowd favorite wherever he plays. Pinetop's also quite the snappy dresser. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Daniel "Slick" Ballinger is a dedicated, up and coming bluesman. He moved to Mississippi as a teenager and at 26 he's studied and played with a whole crop of blues legends. Slick offered up some fiery acoustic and electric riffs and joined in many jam sessions. Slick's a real showman and definitely someone you'll want to catch on tour. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Blues rocker Joe Bonamassa drove the crowd wild with his powerful lightning strike chops. Joe's been a serious student of the guitar since he was a kid and this guy delivers. He was voted Blues Revue magazine's "Artist of the Year" for 2005. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Chicago favorite Ronnie Baker Brooks carries on the family tradition of serious blues guitar playing of his father, Lonnie Brooks (who was on board and jammed with his son) and his brother, Wayne Baker Brooks. Photo & copy Joseph A. Rosen.

Jimmy Thackery and Tab Benoit performed their high energy duo act Whiskey Store, as well each giving superb solo shows and trading licks at some of the jam sessions. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

One of the San Francisco Bay Area's a secret weapons, Ron Thompson, played some whipsaw slide, as well as some nicely crafted electric and acoustic guitar. Ron has a long career with his own unit, but also stints with the likes of music legends John Lee Hooker and Mick Fleetwood. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Telarc recording artist Deborah Coleman jams with guitarist Henry Carvajal, of the Mighty Flyers (harmonica wizard Rod Piazza's band). The nightly jam sessions were a highlight and brought together unique combinations of players. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

John Hammond and "Slick" Ballinger took part in a workshop, discussion and performance of acoustic Blues guitar. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

New Orleans' guitarist and singer Corey Harris brought a finely honed and heartfelt mix of Blues, roots and world music to the cruise. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Blues rockers, Ana Popovic and Anthony Gomes brought their high energy style to a jam session in the Crow's Nest, one of the smaller, more intimate venues on the ship. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Blues vocal legend Bobby Blue Bland performed his classics like "I Pity The Fool", "St. James Infirmary", "Two Steps From the Blues", and many others while fronting a well oiled, horn driven band. Bobby proved that at age 76, the blues are still alive and his vocal prowess is still priceless. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Former Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin performed with the Blues Legends Band. For those who are unaware, Sumlin is a formidable innovator of the electric guitar who has been a noted inspiration to such guitarists as Eric Clapton and Texas guitar slinger Stevie Ray Vaughan. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Harmonica master James Cotton was another member of the Blues Legends Band. Cotton's powerful harp playing added a dimension to the band's authenticity and drive that's unsurpassed and a rare treat in a time when the harmonica is a rare voice in modern music. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Californian Philip Walker, who came out of Louisiana and Texas in the 1950s, touring with the original King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier, brought his horn laden, hard driving, big fun band of the blues to the cruise. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Here's a shot of one of the four horn players in the latest incarnation of Taj Mahal's legendary Tuba Band of the '70s. Very cool. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Kenny Neal (guitar) and Billy Branch (harp) took a break from their scheduled gigs to perform their duo show of acoustic and lightly amplified blues. Kenny and Billy had some fun when they were welcome additions to many of the jam sessions. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

European blues rocker, Ana Popovic, originally from Yugoslavia and now based in Amsterdam, came on board with her own band with an impressive bag of chops and full court press stage presence. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen.

Joe says that the Legendary Rhythm & Blues cruise was a very special experience and one that he'll always treasure and expects to enjoy again next year.

Related Links
The Blues Cruise Welcome
The Blues Cruise
The Blues Cruise Scrapbook
Joseph A. Rosen Photography