2909, 2011

Long Beach, California (Rainbow Harbor)

Long Beach, California, just south of Los Angeles, is named for the five miles of beaches that run along its coast. Very much a marine city, Long Beach is the second-busiest seaport in the United States, a popular cruise ship port (and home port to Carnival Cruise Lines) and offers thousands of marina slips, a strong fishing culture, and was the site of a naval shipyard for 55 years. Visitors can even spend on the night on a historic ocean liner: the RMS Queen Mary, now converted to a hotel. This eScapes video features a nighttime panorama of the Long Beach waterfront, starting at the colorfully-lit Queensway Bridge and spanning the entire skyline, including the Pike

2809, 2011

Inspiration Point

Tropical Beaches
469

Inspiration Point, in Newport Beach, California, is a small city park known for its scenic outlook over the Pacific Ocean and the city’s nearby beach and headlands. This eScapes video provides an amazing view of Newport Beach as seen from Inspiration Point. This great view and location over the Pacific make Inspiration Point a popular site for small wedding ceremonies. Singles can use the park for walking, reading, or simply enjoying the relaxing view. Jeff Lorber is a keyboardist and composer who was influential in the jazz fusion movement– the joining of jazz with rock, R&B, and funk elements. Lorber’s innovative jazz style still blends various styles into an innovative sound, as evidenced in the more

2709, 2011

Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
471

Minnesota’s Minnehaha Park is such a beautiful and relaxing setting, you’d never guess it was right in the middle of one of the United States’ largest metropolitan areas, unless you spotted the cars passing behind the treeline. Nestled in the southern metro area of the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Falls gets its name from the Dakota words for, simply, “waterfall.” The urban park surrounding the 53-foot waterfall attracts over 850,000 visitors a year. Alexander Zonjic has performed on stages around the world as a solo performer, with his own group, and as part of jazz great Bob James’ band. An accomplished jazz flutist, Zonjic has performed worldwide and at major classical and jazz festivals throughout North America,

2609, 2011

Shanghai, China (Riverfront at Day)

World Cities & Harbors
465

Old and new come together along Shanghai’s Huangpu Riverfront. The Bund, a historic district with a limit on building heights, sits opposite the Pudong district, full of towering skyscrapers and commercial development. These skyscrapers are symbolic of Shanghai’s modern economic prosperity as the commerce capital of mainland China. Visitors and residents fatigued by the city’s booming activities can find relaxation in city parks such as the Lujiazui Central Green, featured in this video. Bob James is recognized for his role in establishing smooth jazz music. His influence on the genre is unmatched and extends into hip-hop, where his work is often sampled. A keyboardist, James may be best known for “Angela,” the theme from the TV

2509, 2011

Sterling State Park, Michigan

Scenic Earth
450

Michigan’s only state park on Lake Erie, Sterling State Park in Monroe, offers lakefront fun including camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. Other attractions include hiking and bicycle trails through the nearby woods and wetlands. This eScapes video features a peaceful sunrise over the lake: a scene usually reserved for lakefront campers and those who make it to the park before the crowds arrive. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading jazz guitar acts. Currently living in Spain, Antoine frequently tours with other

2409, 2011

Detroit, Michigan (Skyline at Dusk)

Detroit, Michigan is known as the “Motor City” so it may be appropriate that the standout on its skyline is the Renaissance Center housing the headquarters of General Motors. In this relaxing view from across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, the glossy dark facade of the Renaissance Center is a sharp contrast to the older buildings that make up the rest of downtown. Other landmarks visible in this video include Cobo Center on the far left, and the Detroit Princess, a riverboat offering dinner and entertainment cruises on the Detroit River since 2005. Marion Meadows is a smooth jazz saxophonist and composer. Skilled with both the tenor and soprano saxophones, Meadows has collaborated with jazz

2309, 2011

Charlotte Amalie Cruise Harbor

Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, is known for its many historical attractions and also for being the busiest cruise port of call in the islands. Millions of cruise passengers arrive at this port every year from various lines including Celebrity and Disney. In this eScapes video, a Celebrity Cruise ship heads out of the port city as a relaxing sunset provides a brilliant backdrop. Earl Klugh is contemporary jazz guitarist originally from Detroit, Michigan. Since his first album in 1976, Klugh has received twelve career Grammy nominations and produced more than twenty albums– five of them reaching No. 1 on the jazz charts. Klugh is a favorite of

2209, 2011

Put-In-Bay, Ohio at Night

American Cities
624

Put-In-Bay, Ohio, on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island, is a tourist hotspot during the boating season. Put-In-Bay attracts millions of visitors each year, although its permanent population is only about 130. Once a pivotal port during the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, this “Key West of the North” is also known for its nightlife and the many bars and pubs that light up the night with neon signs. Chris Botti is a contemporary jazz trumpeter who has become one of the top-selling instrumental artists of the 21st century. His performances blend pop, jazz, and classical music– resulting in a style that reaches beyond only jazz audiences. Links Put-In-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau

2109, 2011

Point Vicente Lighthouse

Lighthouses
495

Standing tall over California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula, Point Vicente Lighthouse has been in continuous operation since 1926, although it was reduced to a mere 25 watts during World War II. Today, like most currently active lighthouses, the Point Vicente Light has been modernized with electronic equipment. Also like many lighthouses, it is rumored to be haunted! A small museum sits on the grounds and it and the tower are opened to visitors once a month. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading

1909, 2011

Port of Los Angeles

Shipwatching, World Cities & Harbors
534

The port of Los Angeles began as a small port used by Spanish traders. Over the centuries, it has developed into what is now the largest shipping port in the United States. This eScapes video features an APL shipping vessel making its way out to sea, loaded with containers. Freighters like this are a common sight in the port, but it also serves recreational boaters and is one of the largest cruise ship ports in the country, providing homeport to Carnival, Disney, Princess, and Norwegian cruise lines. Andy Snitzer is a jazz saxophonist who has toured with many popular artists including the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon. Also an accomplished producer, his solo work blends a