The 2005 Smooth Jazz Festival started with pre-cruise concerts from Nov. 11-12, 2005 at the MOODY GARDENS RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER in Galveston, Texas. Located on Historic Galveston Island on the Texas Gulf Coast, it is nestled among the lush tropical surroundings and majestic pyramids of Moody Gardens. As Galveston's premier full service resort and conference center, the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center is the perfect destination for meetings and conferences.

With 428 luxurious guestrooms and over 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, this world class Galveston hotel and conference facility is set among 242 acres of botanical beauty and accented by magnificent pyramids that contain a living rainforest, a Texas-sized aquarium and an I-MAX theater.

Friday night, November 11, Grammy winning icon and singer extraordinaire AL JARREAU  took the stage for 2 hours of spectacular vocals as only he can deliver.  Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time, with five Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. He's the only vocalist in history to net Grammy awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B).

Al's Official Website

Saturday afternoon, November 12, Rick Braun and Peter White performed along with a sizzling line-up of all stars that included Brian Culbertson, Euge Groove, Mindi Abair, Craig Chaquico, Nick Colionne, Michael Lington, Marion Meadows, Alan Hewitt and Eric Darius for a two and 1/2 hour  non-stop smooth jazz jamming session.

Saturday evening, November 12, the Grammy-nominated sax player BONEY JAMES heated up the stage with his high-energy show.  A solid saxophonist whose style falls on the R&B-ish and pop side of jazz, James (who is heavily influenced by Grover Washington, Jr.) is a consistent best-seller who can always be relied upon to put on a colorful live show.

Born James Oppenheim, he grew up in New Rochelle, NY. The future Boney James studied clarinet when he was eight, switching to saxophone two years later. When he was 15, his family moved to Los Angeles. James was soon playing in a fusion band (Line One) which was strong enough to open for Flora Purim and the Yellowjackets. After a year attending U.C. Berkeley, he transferred to U.C.L.A. so he could continue playing with the band. He earned a degree in history but became a full-time musician after graduation, doubling on keyboards. James went on the road as a keyboardist with Morris Day in 1985 and eventually convinced Day that he should be playing saxophone instead. He spent four years with Day and became in-demand for guest spots on tenor, alto, soprano, and flute, playing with Randy Crawford, Sheena Easton, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, and others. He picked up his nickname while on tour with Crawford. After mentioning to a keyboardist that he was running out of food money, the musician replied that if he ate any less, he would have to be called Boney James.

BONEY's Official Website

Day 1 at Sea --->