Entertainment Cruise Productions (ECP), the producer of both the Jazz Cruise and the Smooth Jazz Cruise, has worked hard to create options for jazz lovers as substitutes for the titular cruises that have been indefinitely called to port by COVID-19. In July it announced special packages to take place next February in Las Vegas, but those events had to be cancelled. Another launch, however, comes as early as this weekend: Saturday Night with Marcus Miller and Friends, a streaming concert series that premieres on October 10.
Created by Miller in association with ECP, Saturday Night comprises 90-minute broadcasts hosted by the bassist, along with comedian Alonzo Bodden. The show also features the Saturday Night band, a seven-piece ensemble led by Miller and music director Eric Marienthal, and special guests who will join the band each week for music and conversation.
For the October 10 premiere, the band will be joined by organist Joey DeFrancesco and legendary guitarist George Benson. The second episode, on October 17, will feature pianist Chip Crawford and vocalist Gregory Porter.
Saturday Night with Marcus Miller and Friends will stream in HD on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, and on smart TV, each Saturday night at 10 p.m. Eastern. Each episode will then be available in archived form for 36 hours.
Visit the show’s website for more information, including schedule and lineups.
