Rome
2107, 2011

Rome

Rome may be the most important city that has ever been built. The capital of an empire that controlled the entire Mediterranean region, most of Europe, and significant parts of Asia, Rome’s influence on the fundamentals of Western civilization is unmatched. Western language, art, religion, government, architecture, medicine, and much more are all rooted in Roman innovation. Many Rome sights featured in this eScapes scene hint at the civilization’s cultural legacy. This eScapes scene features the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Minerveo obelisk, an iconic Roman arched bridge, and the ruins of the Roman Forum, the former center of Roman democracy. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly

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Oppenheimer Beach
2007, 2011

Oppenheimer Beach

This relaxing beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands gets its name from J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist and researcher best known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” In the 1950s, Oppenheimer and his wife purchased a house above this beach, which was then known as Hawksnest. In 1967, Oppenheimer died and his ashes were placed in the water off of the beach. Years later, the beach was willed to the people of St. John by Oppenheimer’s daughter, Toni. The government has since managed and developed the site and decided to name it after the Oppenheimer family. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a duo of acoustic guitarists,

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Kansas City Rainstorm
1907, 2011

Kansas City Rainstorm

Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri and a state economic and cultural capital. This is reflected in the buildings of the downtown area. Prominent in the cityscape and featured in this eScapes video are the oblong headquarters of H&R Block and the historic Mainstreet Theater. Kansas City sits at the edge of the “Tornado Alley” of the United States. Though tornadoes in the city have been uncommon, it often experiences severe weather such as ice storms and flooding. However, less extreme storms like the one in this scene provide beautiful views of glistening city streets and dazzling lightning displays. Peter White is an English smooth jazz guitarist who played with several artists, including a

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Point Cabrillo Lighthouse (Night)
1807, 2011

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse (Night)

The Point Cabrillo Light Station, located in Mendocino County, California, is a California State Historic Park. The lighthouse indeed has a long and interesting history. First lit in 1909, it was a guide for a record number of ships carrying lumber to rebuild San Francisco after its 1906 earthquake. It later adopted new technology when it became a monitoring station for the now-defunct LORAN electronic navigation system. Since its construction, the lighthouse has been maintained by a variety of owners and keepers, and is now owned by California State Parks and managed by the Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association. The grounds includes several outbuildings including vacation rental homes. The intricate lantern shown at the end of this

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Tahquamenon Falls
1707, 2011

Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls is one of the most famous landmarks in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The upper falls shown in this video move an average of 7,000 gallons of water a second, and up to 50,000 at peak springtime flow. Against the white backdrop of ice and snow in this winter scene, the brown color of the Tahquamenon River is especially apparent. This color comes from tannin, an organic compound released by the decomposition of material from cedar swamps upriver. This color has given the falls a local nickname– “Root Beer Falls”– also given to a smaller, unnamed waterfall to the west with similar water. Andrew Ironside is a Christian minister and musician. He is the founder of

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New York City Harbor
1607, 2011

New York City Harbor

The one-of-a-kind atmosphere of New York City is evident in the skyline of Lower Manhattan as seen from the mouth of the East River. Just as iconic as the skyscrapers are the spaces between them: the famous New York City grid layout provides clear lines of sight for miles down the long streets parallel to the Hudson River. A short ferry ride from Battery Park (visible at the beginning of this eScapes video) is the Statue of Liberty. The most enduring symbol of New York City, as well as the entire United States, the popularity of the statue is rivaled only by the iconic Empire State Building, which was the tallest building in the world from

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<i>Stewart J. Cort</i>
1507, 2011

Stewart J. Cort

Built in 1973, the Stewart J. Cort has the distinction of being the first 1000-foot freighter on the Great Lakes. It was named after the late vice president of Bethlehem Steel, the company it has served continuously while operating under the Interlake Steamship Company. In this video, the Stewart J. Cort can be seen passing one of the two breakwater lights that mark the entrance to Duluth-Superior Harbor on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin at the edge of Lake Superior. Mark Love is an independent Australian artist. His work ranges from intense electronic compositions to solo piano ambience. Links Interlake Steamship Company: Stewart J. Cort Terry Pepper’s Seeing the Light: Wisconsin Point Lighthouse Mark Love

Trunk Bay, St. John
1407, 2011

Trunk Bay, St. John

The United States Virgin Islands are a popular travel destination and well-known for their beauty. On Saint John, this beauty is protected; about 60% of the island is a U.S. National Park. One of the standout locations on Saint John is the Trunk Bay beach, widely recognized as one of the best beaches in the world. With perfect white sand and aqua blue water, it’s hard not to see why. Relax to the rolling ocean surf featured in this video and imagine yourself lying on the warm sand. Paul Brown is a smooth jazz producer and musician known for his driving R&B guitar rhythms. He has produced some of smooth jazz’s biggest acts, including Boney James,

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Portland, Oregon River Ride
1307, 2011

Portland, Oregon River Ride

The 187-mile-long Willamette River runs through downtown Portland, Oregon, where it is spanned by eleven bridges. Many of these bridges hold world records or set records when constructed. The Steel Bridge, featured in this scene, is the second-oldest vertical-lift bridge in the world– second only to the Hawthorne Bridge a little farther downriver. In this video, eScapes takes you on a late-afternoon ride down the river from the Broadway Bridge past the double-lift Steel Bridge. Sitting in the channel are the Korean freighter Eastern Queen and the Italian Michele Bottiglieri, reminders of Portland’s role as an aptly-named port city. Euge Groove is a smooth jazz saxophonist who has lent his talent to recordings and tours from

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London (Palace and Cathedral)
1207, 2011

London (Palace and Cathedral)

London is an undisputed global city. Its historical significance and broad influence might only be challenged by Rome, and its importance in modern times only rivaled by New York. This eScapes video features London’s most famous landmark– the Palace of Westminster and the iconic “Big Ben” clock tower. Although the Palace in its current form was only constructed in the mid-1800s, its site on the Thames River has been home to the seat of English power since the eleventh century. Also seen is St. Paul’s Cathedral, a 17th-century architectural accomplishment that helped inspire the style of the United States Capitol building. Bob Mamet is an internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist and composer. Incorporating vibrant and diverse styles into

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