SiriusXM Watercolors Forms Jazz Hall of Fame

St. Louis, Missouri (5 August 2013): Young musicians fantasize about one day being a hall of famer yet contemporary jazz artists were left only to dream. Until now. SiriusXM’s Watercolors, the leading satellite radio channel devoted to the genre, is forming the SiriusXM Watercolors Jazz Hall of Fame to honor the legacies of its pioneering artists. Contemporary jazz icons David Sanborn, Earl Klugh and the late Grover Washington Jr. constitute the inaugural class that will be inducted into the music hall during a ceremony held aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise this October 18th.    

Description: Description: Watercolors Jazz Hall of FameSiriusXM’s Vice President of Programming Trinity Colon believes that “The timing of the creation of a SiriusXM Watercolors Jazz Hall of Fame is perfect. This genre has been successful over many decades, long enough to establish a wonderful history and a clear past, present and future. Our goal is to make sure that the visionary artists who helped develop and further this music genre are honored and remembered. In so doing, it helps define our present and ensure the music’s future.”

Saxophonist Sanborn and guitarist Klugh will perform during the induction ceremony that will air on SiriusXM’s Watercolors while Washington Jr.’s contributions will be recognized by an all-star salute featuring some of the artists aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise, including fellow sax players Boney James, Richard Elliot, Candy Dulfer, Euge Groove and Jackiem Joyner. Cruise performers Brian Culbertson, Marcus Miller, Tower of Power, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Oleta Adams, Kenny Lattimore and Brian Simpson may also take part in the festivities aboard the 7-day cruise sailing this October 12-19 from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and the Baja Coast.

“The Smooth Jazz Cruise is elated to work with SiriusXM’s Watercolors to honor the amazing musicians deserving of recognition for their seminal creative accomplishments. We have been blessed to partner with Watercolors over the years and hosting their Jazz Hall of Fame induction ceremony is very special,” said Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of The Smooth Jazz Cruise.

Future inductions will take place aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise sailings January 12-19, 2014 and January 11-18, 2015, which will embark from Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean ports.

Watercolors plays contemporary jazz, classic and new, including Culbertson, James, George Benson, Sade, Al Jarreau and Dave Koz.