oceangal00

Yes, it was the guitar player in Ocean Band. I hadn’t heard about the other.

Was there another band that played in Ocean Bar?

I don’t believe two musicians died on Volendam. The one I know of was the guitar player in Ocean Band. Then there was the dancer on NS. Was there another?

It is so tragic. I just wanted to clear up the misconception that this would have anything to do with BBKing issues on NS. No musicians were transferred between ships.

Just to clarify- the Ocean Band member was on Volendam. I have friends who were on the ship at the time and was surprised no one mentioned it on this forum.

The musician who passed was in Ocean Band. There's no overlap between musicians of Ocean Band and BB Kings - they are hired, trained and rehearsed by different companies

There was also sadly a musician who passed away on Volendam a few weeks ago. He was in Ocean Band, not BBKings.

OMG yes that is him!!! I was able to find his website and can contact him through there. Thank you so so much.

Hi all! Please pardon my very random request, but I was hoping someone could help me out. I was working on the Holland America Line Volendam this past November/December, and while I was on board I went through some difficult times in my personal life and the chaplain on board helped me out tremendously. He gave me his card with his full name and email address, but in packing and unpacking it seems it got thrown away. He left the ship before I did and I know he went on to a Cunard ship but I can't remember which. I know it started off in England. I'm pretty sure his name was John and his wife's name was Grace. They were both so lovely to me and I wish I could reach out to them to thank them. Is there anyone on any of the Cunard ships who knows them and would be willing to find out his full name or email address? If you mention it to him, I'm pretty sure he would remember. I would also be willing to share my email address through private message. Thank you so so much, I know this is an odd post but I appreciate any help!!

And also, these are typically not musicians who make their entire career out of playing cocktail piano. Many are classical pianists or jazz pianists, or people who play with bands in very different settings. Cocktail piano is most likely not the extent of their ability or performance experience. Trust me, they've gotten their applause!

There's no reason to feel bad. Cocktail pianists are meant to be background music. I'm saying this as someone who has a close friend who has played cocktail piano on cruise ships and says she always felt uncomfortable when people would sit and watch her as though she was giving a concert and felt awkward when people would applaud because it's not the nature of cocktail piano. That's the description of the job and what they carefully select music for - to be background music for people to sip a cocktail and have a conversation to.