Sista Suga reviews 2019 Capital Jazz Supercruise

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    [This is a guest review of the 2019 Capital Jazz Supercruise from longtime SoulTracks friend Pamela Nichols, aka Sista Suga]

    What can I say after my fifth sailing with the Capital Jazz Organization?  I have not felt compelled to acknowledge another organization’s music event as I have with Capital Jazz.   See additional reviews at www.thesightofsoundbysistasuga.com

    We set sail on January 17th and our Ports of Call were Labadee Haiti, Roatan Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel Mexico. Over the next eight days, the weather did not cooperate by giving me the golden tan I desired before returning to below 0 temperatures in NYC.  Even Florida was windy sailing out of the port and a bit cooler upon our return.

    [This is a guest review of the 2019 Capital Jazz Supercruise from longtime SoulTracks friend Pamela Nichols, aka Sista Suga]

    What can I say after my fifth sailing with the Capital Jazz Organization?  I have not felt compelled to acknowledge another organization’s music event as I have with Capital Jazz.   See additional reviews at www.thesightofsoundbysistasuga.com

    We set sail on January 17th and our Ports of Call were Labadee Haiti, Roatan Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel Mexico. Over the next eight days, the weather did not cooperate by giving me the golden tan I desired before returning to below 0 temperatures in NYC.  Even Florida was windy sailing out of the port and a bit cooler upon our return.

    The excitement and countdown began in 2017 when Capital Jazz announced the 2019 cruise, while I excitedly awaited the talented line-up announcements.  I can’t be certain if my appetite is satisfied with Capital Jazz feeding the artists to us ala carte or if they should serve them all on one platter.  One thing is for sure, getting the announcements piecemeal drives me crazy, however, it might be just as well for me to be kept waiting since this is what I’m used to; I’d have nothing to keep running over to the website for and get excited every time an artist or two is added. 

    This Super Cruise was no different than others in the sense of being jam-packed with activities galore and shows featuring many of my favorite artists I’d never get to see in one week. 

    Highlighting a few of the events—from day one, with Frances Jaye welcoming everyone on board with those silky, smooth soul, sounds to the sail away party with Doug E Fresh and DJ D Nice, all of the performances in between, to the last night with DJ Tanz, the ship rocked--and I mean ROCKED!  The ship rocked waaaay too much on the way to Honduras and a bit less on to Belize the next night. My belly was doing overtime flips.   

    It was a pleasant surprise to see some of the indie soul outlets represented on this cruise like Chris Rizik and L. Michael Gipson of SoulTracks.com, and Kimberly Hines of SoulBounce.com who review music, inform, and support numerous artists on their websites that have graced many of the Capital Jazz stages.

    Sunday was filled with football fans at the NFC Championship viewing party, The Business of Music panel discussion and a lovely celebration of African Heritage with the Wakanda themed night, where most of us participated by getting dressed in our garb, we portrayed the Kings and Queens we ARE! 

    In addition to young, fresh, banging artists I was not familiar with like Butterscotch who blew a lot of our minds with her multi-musical gifts and Matthew Whitaker who took the audience to church and sold out his CDs, made a lasting impact on many! 

    It seems like everyone I’ve mentioned the Silent Disco to so far have heard of it except me.  When I got to the Sky Lounge to participate, I had about ten minutes and it was over, yet so very cool while it lasted! No music in the air, just music in your ear!  Everyone received a pair of headphones, danced and sang to the music they heard in their ears and that’s the way the music played!

    The Secret Society Party Band played the pool deck as the sun shined and the wind blew hard and fast.  That didn’t keep us from having a grand time!  Some of the other activities included Wine TastingPaint and Sip, and Salsa Dancing. Everyone needs some laughter in their lives and the good word to renew the spirit.  Comedians Bruce BruceMelanie Carmacho and JB Smoove fulfilled their duties and Richard Smallwood spread the gospel far and wide!  The Hip-Hop show with Doug E. Fresh, and Slick Rick and surprise guest Roxanne Shante, turned Studio B into a 90’s party where no one had a care in the world; it was a beautiful sight and overall good feeling to see so many people on their feet, having a great time!  Many from the bald head community attended the Bald Head Convention hosted by funny man, Michael Colyar.  Don’t ask what it’s all about because they don’t tell. 

    Who attends a show starting at 12:30 am?  Everyone who wanted to see Babyface’s performance, that’s who!  Where do you go clubbing beginning at 2 a.m.?  Back in the day, NYC after hours spots would open around the same time, but this here is on a whole other level!  Besides, where else are you going the next morning?  Not to work, that’s for sure!

    There’s always a little something for everyone on this cruise so the choice is yours. 

    All of this and more goes down on the Capital Jazz SuperCruise!

    I’ve said this once and will say it again-- there is absolutely nothing, I mean NOTHING like traveling, experiencing performances from your favorite artists, and being among people who love music as much or more than you do. 

    This event is highly recommended if you don’t mind stopping to say hello and take pictures with some of your favorite artists, a fairly active elderly population mixed with those who get around by scooters, and other mature folks looking to have a blast of a time while traveling to warm destinations, then this cruise is for you!

    It is an enormous task to try and satisfy thousands of cruisers with so many factors involved.  I can’t begin to imagine how Capital Jazz possibly do it all!  Kudos to the team in front and behind the scenes who make this event a spectacular experience!

    By Pamela Nichols aka Sista Suga