David Sanborn at The Floridian

David Sanborn in Ft Lauderdale

At the end of the jazz cruise, we ran into David Sanborn on the way into The Floridian - the best diner in Fort Lauderdale, where all the locals go. Pictured here, left to right: Claudia Krikorian, Lisa Kato Fitchett, Jim Hale, Dorothy Axelrod, with David Sanborn (center).

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/30/11.

Meditation at Sea

Mark Fitchett on Caribbean jazz cruise. The Daily Fitchett, 1/25/11.

Pictured here: Mark Fitchett relaxing in the piano bar on the third deck of the ms Noordam.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/25/2011.

Mark Fitchett

Guitarist Mark Fitchett

On the way back from the Bahamas, guitarist Mark Fitchett on the starboard side of the 10th deck with his "travel" telecaster. It looks windy, but the warm Caribbean temperature made it feel perfect.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/29/11.

George Duke

Mark Fitchett, George Duke, Lisa Kato Fitchett

Jazz cruise snapshots: Here we are with gracious keyboard legend George Duke...Grateful thanks to Corinne Duke for taking this photograph!

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/29/11.

Marcus Miller and The Axelrods

Marcus Miller with friends Ron and Dorothy Axelrod

Will the real Marcus Miller please stand up?? Ron grabbed Mark's hat for this fun snapshot. Marcus Miller is very gracious and is friends with the Axelrods. He's got some great stories about what it was like starting out as a 17-year-old studio musician in New York City, the recording session where he met pianist Richard Tee, working with Barry White, and producing Miles Davis's Tutu album. --The Daily Fitchett, 1/27/11.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

This is seriously one of my favorite photographs ever.  Mark is wading out into the Caribbean waters off the beach at Half Moon Cay, a private island in the Bahamas. The waves are literally only inches tall, the white sand is as soft as sifted flour, you can wade out 50 feet and still touch the ground, and there are little silver colored fish darting about two feet from your legs.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/29/11.

Joey DeFrancesco

Organist Joey DeFrancesco

Jazz cruise snapshots: Joey DeFrancesco after his headlining late night jazz trio performance. Also performing with Joey's excellent trio was guitarist Dwight Sills and drummer Rayford Griffin.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/28/11.

Larry Braggs

Lisa Kato Fitchett with Larry Braggs

I was really thrilled to run into Larry Braggs, Tower of Power lead singer extraordinaire, in between concerts on the jazz cruise. Aside from the fact that he's a brilliant singer, he's also the nicest guy in person.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/28/11.

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Friends on the famed beaches of the Virgin Gorda "Baths", BVI

After a semi-arduous journey through narrow caves and grottoes, we found ourselves on the beach of the Virgin Gorda "Baths", British Virgin Islands.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/27/11.

St John, US Virgin Islands

View from the grounds near the governor's mansion

Wish we were still there! This photograph was taken while hiking near the governor's mansion on the beach at St. John, US Virgin Islands.

It was weird to see US Coast Guard vessels, Obama bumper stickers, and American flags clearly visible as we sailed about this part of the world which seemed so far from home.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/26/11.

St Thomas, US Virgin Islands

View of the port of Charlotte Amalie on St. John, US Virgin Islands

Photograph of the port of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, taken from the ferry boat to St. John, US Virgin Islands

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/26/11.

View From The Third Deck

After stopping at the Bahamian capital city of Nassau, we sailed for a full day. The third level of the ms Noordam has an outdoor deck wrapping around the entire ship. This was the view from the starboard deck.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/25/11.

Nassau, Bahamas

View of the Bahamian resort Atlantis from the cruise ships gangway

View from the cruise ships gangway going in to the Bahamian capital city of Nassau.  The luxury resort Atlantis can be seen across the water.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/24/11.

Fort Lauderdale

View of Fort Lauderdale from jazz cruise ship. The Daily Fitchett, 1/23/11.

View of the harbor at Fort Lauderdale from the balcony of our stateroom on the seventh deck, on Sunday, January 23rd, the day of departure.

--The Daily Fitchett, 1/23/11.