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Woods and His Rocket 88s. But I enjoy the hell out of it and love
to entertain in such an intimate and informal environment, and
that is what makes the piano bar so special. I look forward to
seeing all my friends there, and invite everyone to sing, play,
clap or just smile along while I am “Jamming on the High C’s,”
which happens to be the title of one of my CDs recorded live at
Mitch Woods' Club 88, the LRBC piano bar. I did create a bit of
a monster though, as now I have to be dressed in my PJs and fez,
or nobody recognizes me. I always tell the crowd, remember,
“What happens on the Blues Cruise, stays on the Blues Cruise.”
The piano bar is just one of many exciting offerings you
can find on board the LRBC. In addition to 100-plus scheduled
shows, the pro jams, artist workshops, autograph signings,
Reverend Billy C. Wirtz. Photo by Bob Sekinger industry panels, culinary demos, theme nights, land excursions
and amenities of a five-star full ship charter will leave you
as well as many greats who have left us, like Johnnie Johnson, testifying, like many blues cruisers, that the Bluesin’ Experience
Matt Murphy, Pinetop Perkins and many more. is life changing! For information on upcoming cruises, visit
I’ve had didgeridoo, tuba and, of course, countless harmonica BluesCruise.com.
players, some who could play, and others I had to get the hook
for! I have seen everything in there... one night a guy came in Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s take inspiration from the great
with an Alphorn! I couldn’t believe it – it was about 10 feet long classic jump n’ boogie outfits and add a healthy dose of New
and stretched over the piano! Orleans rhythm and blues, piledrivin’ piano and some of Woods’
Of course, there is a copious amount of drinking and partying own contemporary playful lyrics to forge their own brand of music
going on into the wee hours, and the piano bar attracts the die- they call “rock-a-boogie.” Woods tours worldwide with his band,
hard blues cruisers who refuse to go to bed. And why not? There and performs solo as well. He is popular on the festival circuit,
is music 24/7 on the ship, and it all started at the piano bar. playing festivals around the world including the New Orleans
One of the funniest things to happen had to be a night I was Jazz & Heritage Festival, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Umbria
playing ‘til dawn. The sun started coming up and we had to Jazz Festival, Edmonton Blues Festival, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer
close the curtains to keep the mood going. The crowd was totally Night’s Swing and more. Woods has 13 albums to date; his latest,
blitzed, literally a-rockin’ and a-rollin’! Suddenly the door opens, A Tip of the Hat To Fats, was recorded live at the New Orleans
and in walks a very straight-laced crowd. They looked at us and Jazz & Heritage Festival. All are available on mitchwoods.com,
were shocked. We looked at them... whaaa?? Turns out it was and for booking information, contact: info@mitchwoods.com
the “Friends Of Bill W.”... the AA group had scheduled their
meeting in the piano bar! I’m sure that with one look at us, they
realized why they had stopped drinking!
It has been 18 years that I’ve played the piano bar, and most
cruisers don’t even realize that I usually play with my band, Mitch

Jump-swing piano torchbearer, and author of this feature, Mitch Woods.
Left to right: Mick Kilgos, Leon Blue and Taylor Streiff. Photo by Bob Sekinger Photo by Michael McGrath

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