Jam Cruise 19: It Was Worth the Wait!

How do you describe Jam Cruise to someone who’s never been? Dozens upon dozens of explanations popped up, but we will yield to Diane Harding, who offered the most concise description ever:

My takeaway: it was a chance to just revert back to being a kid. You got to do whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted, with whoever you wanted, and everyone was on board with that philosophy. You got to dress up, or not, smile constantly, laugh, eat, drink, nap, boogie, sit, people watch, zone out/in, and just surrender to the flow.

What she said.

Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Jam Cruise last sailed in January 2020, and then we sat out 2021 and 2022 under an abundance of caution due to the pandemic. Finally, three years and a couple weeks after our last bacchanal, we embarked upon MSC Divina for Jam Cruise 19, six amazing days of music, sunshine, stars, (a little rain and a lot of wind), and 3000 of our closest friends, back together again.

Marc Brownstein & Jam Mom Annabel Lukins Stelling – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Was everything smooth? No. There were glitches here and there, inevitably. Some can be repaired; others just ARE. (Seriously: the Black and White Lounge and the Golden Jazz Bar are simply NOT designed for listening when crammed tighter than sardines. Just the facts, ma’am. We will deal with those rooms as best we can.) 

But, almost to a cowboy or alien, all we really cared about was WE WERE BACK ON BOARD. The feeling was exhilarating! There were hugs to the power of… well, it was wonderful.

The New Deal – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

This was our fifth cruise. Unequivocally, the sound on the pool deck and in the Pantheon Theater was by far the best we’ve heard. They hit the trifecta: not too loud, all instruments well mixed, and vocals understandable. It don’t get no better than that!!!

Mo’ Betta holding quilt for Positive Legacy auction – Jam Cruise Monday. 📸: Tara Gracer

As always, YMMV. We heard lots of partial sets, a few complete ones, and tried to jam in as much as we possibly could. Did we miss some sensational performances? It was impossible NOT to.

Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

Ready! Jump aboard! 

 

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

There was plenty of great music on sail-away day, but in part, it was overshadowed by the joyous reunions of many Jam Cruisers, given that JC is often the only time some see each other, since we come from all over the country… and beyond!

George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

George Porter & Running Pardners deservedly had the opening set on the pool deck, and it was glorious, the perfect choice to send us off. The band sounded dynamite, Karl Denson began his sit-ins early, and the setlist included Meters gems, “They Love Each Other,” and so much more.

George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

As if all the sailaway excitement were not enough, there was a rocket launch scheduled from Cape Canaveral. We check those out on the regular from Plant City just east of Tampa. We weren’t sure if we could see it from Miami. We almost left too late to see it, given the klieg-light effect of Miami Beach, but we were far enough off shore. Not very many others knew it was happening, although it was great that fellow journalist Spencer Storch (Shows I Go To) was also checking it out. We had been talking to a nice man from North Carolina who also wanted to see it, and it appeared… for about five seconds, then dove into the clouds. We were just appreciating that we’d seen it at all when NC said LOOK! as it poked through the clouds and gave us a couple minutes of fine viewing. 

Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Because we were late leaving again (a broken crane again?), it altered the pool deck schedule but not elsewhere on board. We missed Jason Crosby’s piano set in the Atrium, where the sound was really good all week.

Jason Crosby – Jam Cruise Day 1 on Febrauary 6, 2023. © 2023 Jason Koerner

We also missed The Fearless Flyers with Cory Wong, Mark Lettieri, and crew.

The Fearless Flyers – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Our first foray into The Black & White Lounge was a harbinger of things to come. The room is a discotheque, and the stage is a foot about floor level. Unless you are up close, there is little chance of seeing the band (unless DJ Williams is playing). Dogs in a Pile put on a fun show, joined by horns early on (The Horn Section? We don’t think they slept at all!). The set was bouncy, fun, even spacey, with lots of great originals and “Bad Mama Mama” to boot!

Dogs in a Pile – Jam Cruise Monday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

Meanwhile, Lettuce was slammin’ on the pool deck, absolutely brilliant. They were deep into one of their funk tunes when they slid into “Body Heat,” turning Nigel Hall loose. After they returned to their tune, he led the charge into Patrice Rushen’s “Forget-Me-Nots.” He is a huge Rushen fan; we are, too, but just one time I’d like to hear him sing just one stanza of “Men in Black.” Just sayin’…

Lettuce – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023
Lettuce – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

There were several great surprises on board, but from all we heard The Bamboos provided the best surprise. This Australian band channels ’70s R&B, soul, and funk with absolute perfection. The nine-piece band was fronted by titanic vocalist Kylie Auldist and guitarist and singer Lance Ferguson. Their old-school funk hit in all the right places. Not bad for their first time in the States!

The Bamboos – Jam Cruise Day 1 on Febrauary 6, 2023. © 2023 Jason Koerner

Another great surprise came right after, as The New Deal were on board to make a statement. On their return from hiatus in fall of 2019, we caught a show early in the run that was good but not amazing. For 2023, you can make a note: AMAZING! Jamie Shields is truly a wizard with the various synth and keyboard tones, and the trio simply rocked. In part, you can blame Scotty Zwang, filling in on drums. He crushed!

The New Deal – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

The fabulous night continued with a brilliant set from SunSquabi, who tore up the theater with an amazing performance simultaneously funk, jam, and electronica. The close of the set was off the charts.

SunSquabi – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

In the midst of all that, we missed Neighbor’s opening set.

Neighbor – Jam Cruise Day 1 on Febrauary 6, 2023. © 2023 Jason Koerner

Did we mention there was FOOD?

Jam Cruise Monday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

More tough decisions in a week of impossible decisions. The Word were holding forth on the pool deck late night. Robert Randolph, John Medeski and Co. were on fire. I caught part of the set at the beginning and then their finale, a mighty “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” band intros, and a final hymn.

The Word. © 2023 Jason Koerner

And then I hit the B&W for the opening set by Cool Cool Cool, the band which emerged from Turkuaz, including the aforementioned Horn Section. It was an enjoyable set, given that people were talking louder than the music and you really couldn’t see much. We love this band and their spirit. They would deliver a homerun-touchdown later in the week in the theater.

Cool Cool Cool – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

There were three official DJs on board, each of whom would host two nights in Galaxy Disco. DJ Brownie (Marc Brownstein of The Disco Biscuits) knew precisely what we wanted to hear and was pumping out superb deep house music.

DJ Brownie – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/6/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

The Spot was active each night down on Deck 7. We know, because our room was two floors above it! We only made it one night, but the sounds wafting up each night were full of joy and enthusiasm, with guests and some of the best players on board in combinations, all coordinated by The Sweet Lillies.

The Sweet Lillies at The Spot – Jam Cruise Day 1 on Febrauary 6, 2023. © 2023 Jason Koerner

Unbeknownst to us all trip, a quartet from Tampa set up on the Garden Pool deck every morning at sunrise. Chris Sgammato, a frequent Jam Cruise sailor and multi-instrumentalist, had brought his band Displace with him, and they regaled audiences each sunrise. Well played!

Displace – Jam Cruise 19

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

On our first full day at sea, music began with Pixie & the Partygrass Boys at 12:30 and went past sunrise. In addition to music, there were events such as Bad Boy Bingo with Little Stranger, Battle of the Decades Trivia Game Show, ’90s karaoke with Mimi Naja (Fruition) & Allstar Band, and more.

Pixie & the Partygrass Boys – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Tara Gracer

We missed Pixie & Co. but did enjoy The Lil Smokies with the second pool deck set. They play really solid modern bluegrass with fine originals and entertaining covers such as “Paperback Writer” and “Learning to Fly.”

The Lil Smokies – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin
The Lil Smokies – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

Daniel Donato had a solo set on the garden deck. This was a tough “room,” because he was sitting about in the middle facing one side of the ship; people on the other side couldn’t see or hear well if at all, and many were catching up with friends. It wasn’t loud enough! (Did I say that?!?)

Daniel Donato – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

One of the other great surprises this trip was the inclusion of Cymande, a British funk band formed in 1971 which stopped performing in 1981, only to return in 2012 and play shows for several years. This was special. Their beautiful ’70s R&B poured out from the pool deck until, half an hour into their set, Jam Cruise, Jam Mom Annabel Lukins came on stage to announce that inclement weather was heading our way and that the remainder of the pool deck sets would be rescheduled inside or on another day.

Cymande – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

Is it wise to give microphones to Brownie AND Frasco? – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz
Jim Morrison, direct from his Elevator appearance – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

As Jam Mom would later explain, Neal Francis was informed that his band’s set could play in the theater — with an hour’s notice. Kudos to all of the stage hands, crew members, and band who made these sorts of miracles seem routine. Francis was superb — as always — and the sound was a match. BRAVO!

Neal Francis – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Tara Gracer

Mihali was entertaining the Golden Jazz Lounge crowd with a fine set, anchored by Adriana Tramontano on drums.

Mihali – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

This was our first encounter with The Reverend Matthew Rieger and his piano set in The Atrium. His eclectic band included guitar, dobro, violin, and drums, and a saxophone on occasion. The audience appreciated the effort, which had a Supertramp cover (I cannot remember which one, but everybody was singing along) and “Time After Time.”

The Reverend Matthew Rieger – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Tara Gracer

The Word once again soared, this time in the friendly confines of the theater, with great sound and amazing musicianship.

The Word – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Tara Gracer

Doom Flamingo are one of our favorite bands, and they were holding forth in the B&W. The set actually sounded great — musically, but Kanika Moore’s vocals were indistinct, and it was, as usual, very difficult to see.

Doom Flamingo – Jam Cruise 19. 📷: Tara Gracer

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio got moved off the pool deck, and we didn’t know where they ended up (it was the B&W).

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

Everybody, and I mean everybody we knew, said, “How about that set by West Seattle Allstar Revue in the Golden Jazz Lounge?” Polyrhythmics and others were pumping out great music, but even sardines aren’t packed that tight, and movement was almost impossible; crowd-surfing didn’t appeal.

West Seattle Allstar REview – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

It had been years since we’d seen Fruition, and let’s just say they have branched out. This theater set was positively brilliant, full of their old selves and a huge dose of jam and rock. Some time Wednesday, Jam Cruise vet John Phillips asked about our favorite moment to that point; we answered: “Fruition in the theater… with Mike Dillon.” We were in agreement.

Fruition w/ Mike Dillon – Jam Cruise – 02.07.23. 📷: Jesse Faatz

Start to finish, it was massive. Vocals from front persons Jay Cobb Anderson (lead guitar, harmonica) and Mimi Naja (mandolin, electric & acoustic guitar) along with Kellen Asebroek (rhythm guitar, piano) pushed this set over the top. Asebroeck’ piano was excellent.

Fruition w/ Mike Dillon – Jam Cruise – 02.07.23. 📷: Jesse Faatz

The sequence we had discussed was when the ubiquitous Mike Dillon entered with bongos and vibes for “There She Was” and “Let’s Take It Too Far > Fire,” which descended into glorious cacophony before skyrocketing into killer rock, a Dillon solo on vibes, and then a killer Dillon duet with Anderson.

Fruition w/ Mike Dillon – Jam Cruise – 02.07.23. 📷: Jesse Faatz

The Fearless Flyers had set up in The Atrium, and it was slammed. We could hear well, but it was tough to see in the back. No matter. Messrs. Cory Wong and Mark Lettieri on guitars, Joe Dart on bass, and Nate Smith on drum were deep in the funk, smiles everywhere. These gents are ridiculous.

The Fearless Flyers – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Tara Gracer

We missed Karina Rykman, who drew rave reviews. We would atone for that Sunday.

Karina Rykman – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Tara Gracer

The much-anticipated Dark Side of the Swamp with Honey Island Swamp Band was moved to later in the week (and it was well worth the wait!).

After JC17, we posted a story titled (with apologies for ripping off the Dead mantra) “There is Nothing Even Remotely Like an Andy Frasco & the U.N. Concert.” We stand by that story. We caught part of the theater set, first with a bunch of extra drums on stage for “Addicted to You.” Kanika Moore jumped up, as did The Horn Section.

Andy Frasco & the U.N. + guests – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

Then bass player Floyd Kellogg was asked to sing a tune, and he began this children’s ditty about his fish, which naturally (well, naturally in Frasco Universe) blasted into a huge “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” NOT EVEN REMOTELY…

Andy Frasco & the U.N. + guests – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

Shira Elias of Cool Cool Cool and Lamar Williams Jr. of Trouble No More were leading an allstar cast in the Jam Room (B&W). They went deep old school with tunes such as “Cruisin’” (Smokey Robinson) and “Will It Go Round In Circles.”

Lamar Williams Jr. – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

Meanwhile, The Sweet Lillies had graciously moved their set later to accommodate The Fearless Flyers. They were creating fun for everyone in The Atrium, spreading more late-night joy. There were sax players, Joe Marcinek (guitar), Bob Feckner (trumpet, and he’s been on all JCs!), and more in addition to Julie Gussaroff, upright bass; Becca Bisque, viola; and Dustin Rohleder, guitar (they all sang).

The Sweet Lillies – Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

One more stop (no Spot again this night) to Galaxy Disco to see DJ Airwolf. Like his compatriot DJ Brownie, he was throwing down a very enjoyable mix of danceable deep house music and acid jazz. And we say AMEN.

Jam Cruise Tuesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Puerto Plata – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Our first port stop was at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. We had little luck in the faux DR, grabbed a drink, and headed back on board for food.

Puerto Plata – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

A large group participated in the Positive Legacy Day of Service.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Jesse Faatz
Doom Flamingo – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

There was great music to be had all evening, but our first main focus was to attend the Doom Flamingo Sunset Album Preview at the Garden Pool. And failed to switch my watch to Atlantic Time, arriving promptly at 6:30 when the preview was done. **SIGH**

Doom Flamingo – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

The Bamboos had the sailaway set at sundown, and once again they provided us with the pure magic of their Australian interpretation of ’70s R&B. It was so great seeing the pool deck slammed and dancing in appreciation of their fine set.

Kylie Audlist & The Bamboos – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

Chris Spies, the great keyboard master for Honey Island Swamp Band, had a fine Atrium piano set, we were told. You just cannot see everything. We tried.

Come to that, we also missed Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe on the pool deck, and then Little Stranger in the B&W.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin
Little Stranger – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Those misses were in no small part due to the fact that we were wired to hear another set from The New Deal. Correct decision for us; they were brilliant once again. Aural landscapes, heavy jams, and favorite tracks filled the space and ears in a magical mixture.

The New Deal – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/8/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Before we boarded, Reed Mathis said that, given that Brian Haas was on board with Punkadelick, they would turn his Atrium set into an Electric Beethoven show. And they would invite a who’s-who of drummers to join them. It took off with Nikki Glaspie and “Fur Elise.” On the bench were Stanton Moore (Galactic), Mike Dillon, Dave Watts (king of Sunday’s Super Jam), and one other gent. It was wonderful. Stanton + “Ode to Joy.” Dillon + “5th of Beethoven.” Watts with Haas on melodica. 

Reed Mathis & Friends – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/8/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

lespecial were on the Brews at Sea Stage (opposite the pool deck stage); we missed this one, too. We heard at least a portion of everyone else.

lespecial – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

George Porter Jr. and Dumpstaphunk lit up the theater with a deep dive into the music of The Meters. Vocals from Nick Daniels III, Tony Hall, Ivan Neville, and Porter made this even more special, and it’s impossible to forget the enthusiastic backing vocals of Alex Wasily (trombone) and Ashlin Parker (trumpet)!

George Porter Jr. & Dumpstaphunk – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

[DUMPSTAPHUNK & GEORGE PORTER JR.: Hey Pocky A-Way, Keep On Marching, Love Slip Upon Ya, George Porter Jr. Intro, A Message from The Meters, Groovy Lady, Cissy Strut > Cardova > Soul Island > You’ve Got to Change (You’ve Got to Reform), Ivan banter, Just Kissed My Baby, Band intros, It Ain’t No Use, (The World is a Bit Under the Weather) Doodle-Oop, Funky Miracle, No More Okey Doke > Fire on the Bayou]

George Porter Jr. & Dumpstaphunk – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio were crushing in the B&W. Lamarr is a fine B3 player, and this band rocks!

We had the pleasure of seeing Trouble No More at North Beach Music Festival in December, and we were thrilled to get two more shots. The guitar triumvirate of Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Daniel Donato, and Roosevelt Collier (pedal and lap steel) is mind-boggling. Those who saw Duane & Dickey and Warren & Derek will tell you these three belong in that conversation.

Trouble No More – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Lamar Williams Jr. is the perfect vocalist and front man for TNM. After “Trouble No More” and “Ain’t Wastin’ Time,” they wasted no more time before blasting into a massive “Les Brers in A Minor” with a great drum interlude from Nikki Glaspie and Jack Ryan. Vaylor Trucks, on board for Master Camp, joined in on “Blue Sky” and “One Way Out,” sounding great. They closed the massive set with a fine, fine “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

Vaylor Trucks with Trouble No More – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/8/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Lettuce were delightful, of course, crushing their set in the theater. There was a great slow-moving jam that included Schmeeans’ “Third Stone from the Sun” quote before Nigel Hall eventually grabbed the mike for “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” with great wah-wah trumpet from Benny Bloom. His muted trumpet on the brilliant “House of Lett” stunned, and Jesus Coomes offered fabulous space bass. The Butcher Brown gents joined in for Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Devotion,” as did Nikki Glaspie on percussion.

Lettuce – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/8/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

In an astounding feat, Ben Bloom was playing simultaneously on two stages!!! Well, it would have been astounding, except that these were TWO Ben Blooms — Eric “Benny” Bloom of Lettuce and guitarist Ben Bloom, leader of Polyrhythmics, who were romping on the pool deck. The band was tighter than tight.

Polyrhythmics – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/8/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

DJ Yesmann continued the flow of great old-school house music and acid jams up in the disco. And Shawn Eckels is to blame for the insanity in the Jam Room. Taz was there, Tommy Shugart on B3, and a cast of (almost) thousands. “Working Man” was a blast!

Shawn Eckels – Jam Room – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Chris Baldwin
DJ Yesmann – Jam Cruise Wednesday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

And… sleep.

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

JAM MOM!!! – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

Mardi Gras day on board, and the Jam Cruisers were decked OUT!!! There were fun events early in the day, including Shake That Brass workshop with the aforementioned Polyrhythmics, scavenger hunt sign-ups, Mardi Gras mask crafting, Brews at Sea Fest, and JAM Talks with Cymande.

JAM Talks with Cymande – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Dogs in a Pile blew out a superb set early on the pool deck to shove the party immediately into high gear. They had everyone’s attention. Mihali, who had the next set there, sat in, as did Mike “He’s Everywhere” Dillon. So good!

Lebo had a set on the Garden Pool deck, but there was a confluence of events, including Mihali’s, a really nice set, as much as we heard before jetting off to the theater for Everyone Orchestra.

Lebo – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin
Mihali – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Matt Butler always seems to assemble an amazing cast for Everyone Orchestra (whole lotta talent to choose from!). Whatever was shaking, it took 20 minutes to get the show on the road, but once it achieved liftoff it went stratospheric almost immediately. Butler suggested themes or tapped an orchestra member to begin the next creation, the first of which was “Feelin’ Frisky.”

Matt Butler gets air
– Everyone Orchestra – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Initially, at least, the group included Daniel Donato, Scotty Zwang, Mike Dillon, Josh Schwartz, Kanika Moore, Kylie Auldist, the Little Stranger gents, and banjo, Hammond B3, and electric piano players. Next up was a bass and drum choice, and they funked it up like mad, Moore and Audlist dancing and singing. It was great to have another opportunity to hear The Bamboos’ singer in a different setting. The third offering let those of us who had not seen Little Stranger hear what those two guys —  and  — do, and it was dynamite.

Everyone Orchestra – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

A banjo and trumpet duet? You bet! “My mama told me to get on the boat,” sang Moore, talking about her personal situation and showing unimaginable strength to us all. Jason Crosby on piano stood out. We also got our first riveting glimpse of Judith Hill, originally on board to participate in The Broadband, a collective of women aboard (although that show was cancelled). Hill stunned on guitar and on vocals.

Judith Hill – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Ben Bloom (the Polyrhythmics one) kicked off the following jam, with Butler and Audlist singing. Then Hill dug way deep for some blues, and eventually that became scorching hot as Moore was singing “Must be a woman.” The finale was a funk and dance party. Butler and ensemble FTW!

Fruition’s pool deck set was closer to their former style, entirely appropriate for the early set on the pool deck.

Fruition – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

There was another confluence of events (bunch of ’em, actually), this one involving Butcher Brown, Peter Levin, Benny Bloom (the Lettuce one), and the rescheduled Dark Side of the Swamp. We missed Butcher Brown and Peter Levin, but we did stumble across Eric Benny Bloom’s Really Really Tacky Show.

Eric Benny Bloom’s Really Really Tacky Show – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

That name is accurate. Bloom could easily do standup comedy, and there was great music as well. He had coerced Shira Elias and Mike Carubba of Cool Cool Cool, DJ Williams (KDTU), and a piano player and bassist to join him in a tongue-in-cheek set that never failed to delight, including “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “It’s Not Unusual.”

Butcher Brown – Jam Cruise Day 4 on February 9, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

The main action for us was Honey Island Swamp Band’s Dark Side of the Swamp set, and it was incredible. Chris Spies flew the spacecraft from his bank of keyboard consoles. Bass player was a silver alien, and he kept the head portion on most of the set! After they blasted off with “Young Lust,” Daniel Donato helped out on “Have a Cigar.” The Horn Section + another tenor sax tore this one up. “Money” featured superb horn solos. Notes are discombobulated, but it seems “Welcome to the Machine” featured Mike Dillon on vibes and Spies on B3.

Honey Island Swamp Band – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Tara Gracer

They called up Joe Marcinek for “One of These Days.” This was the best Marcinek solo we’ve ever heard, and we’ve heard a bunch of them! We commented about how wickedly dark and spacey it was. His comment (slightly paraphrased): “I thought they needed to get psychedelic and approached the song that way. The band responded immediately!” (Oh, YES, they did!).

Honey Island Swamp Band – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Angie Ricciotti

Judith Hill sang and played on “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2,” leading the song into a Stevie Wonder “Higher Ground” vamp with the very appropriate “Teachers… keep on teachin’.” And Neal Francis on electric piano and Spies on B3 blew up “Run Like Hell.” What a superb concept this set was!

Judith Hill – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

The previous Cool Cool Cool was buried in the sardine-like Black & White Lounge. Now, splashed across the theater, this superb group (playing their fourth official show!), were every bit as wonderful as we expected. Everything seems to be working for this great ensemble of seven musicians who turned away from Turkuaz after Hulaween 2021. The ladies always delight with vocals and their groovy dance routines (don’t laugh; it IS groovy).

Cool Cool Cool – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

They love covering Sly’s “Sing a Simple Song,” the set opener. They are working on new original compositions such as Sammi Garett’s “When I’m with You.” Perhaps their best new tune is “Tied Up,” powered by Mike Carubba on drums and Digo Zambrano on bass (borrowed from Electric Kif for North Beach and the two Jam Cruise sets). It is a killer tune with Josh Schwartz and the ladies singing, our funk.

Michael Carubba & Digo Zambrano – Cool Cool Cool – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

Roosevelt Collier lit up “Don’t Do It,” and Shira Elias’ song “Make It Through” offered a nice groove. They closed with a powerhouse version of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” We say Cool Cool Cool!

Cool Cool Cool – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

By the time that finished, we did a drive-by to hear Dumpstaphunk slammin’ on the pool deck on our way to hear (but not really see) Punkadelick in the B&W.

Dumpstaphunk – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Jesse Faatz

Mike Dillon, Nikki Glaspie, and Brian Haas tear it up every time to collide, and that was certainly the case once again.

Mike Dillon – Punkadelick – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans
Brian Haas & Nikki Glaspie – Punkadelick – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

At this point, we were content to catch what we could of the eight sets remaining. We missed Ben Weiss’ Pickin’ Lounge session in the Atrium.

Ben Weiss – Pickin’ Lounge – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

We heard a bit of the Galactic set, although we missed the Second Line, led by Alex Wasily (Dumpstaphunk) and John Michael Bradford. Galactic, with vocalist Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, always turns the scene into a party.

Second Line – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Josh Timmermans
Anjelika “Jelly Joseph & Jeff Raines – Galactic – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

The Lil Smokies were in the theater.

The Lil Smokies – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

We headed back to the B&W for Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit with George Porter Jr., Tommy Shugart, and a fun ensemble. The set included Dead staples “Shakedown Street” and “West L.A. Fadeaway,” Marcinek’s signature “George Washington,” “Ramble On,” and… we rambled on… to nab a bite to eat and head to the pool deck for Doom Flamingo. In the process, we missed Neal Francis’ second theater set.

Joe Marcinek – Dead Funk Summit – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

OH, Doom Flamingo! We could see you AND hear you! HUZZAH! Kanika Moore is stunning, the band is astonishing, and the wide swath of genres the band covers is impressive indeed — ballads, funk, synth-wave, prog rock. There were some new songs, destined for the new album, we presume. WOW!

Doom Flamingo – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

George Porter Jr. always hosts a legendary set in the Jam Room, and this year was no exception. A bunch of players sat in before it was all said and done.

And DJ Brownie was up in Galaxy Disco. Funk yeah!

DJ Brownie – Jam Cruise Thursday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

 

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

WHALES! – Jam Cruise Friday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

If you are sleeping when the sun rises, you might miss The Spot winding down (until it resumes the next night), you might miss Displace playing its daily sunrise set on the Garden Pool deck, and YOU MIGHT MISS THE WHALES frolicking next to the ship docked in Grand Turk. Fortunately for those of us not up, there are plenty of fine photographs and videos of the two adult humpbacks and their baby playing in the crystal-clear blue waters.

Jam Cruise Friday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman
WHALES! – Jam Cruise Friday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

There was an afternoon Hoop Workshop: Letting Go with the Flow, fascinating in that hula hoops were proscribed in our pre-boarding literature. No matter. Dogs in a Pile hosted a Bikini Bottom Jam (??).

Hooping – Jam Cruise Friday. 📸: Josh Timmermans

And we sailed away to the madman Andy Frasco and his minions (OK, there weren’t ten, but you get the idea). At various junctures Mike Dillon, Adrian Tramontano, and others drifted on and off stage. Organized chaos is what this band excels in, that and great music. In the midst of “Life During Wartime,” Frasco said, “Everybody in the U.N. switch instruments,” which of course they did; they are truly amazingly versatile.

Andy Frasco & the U.N. – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

Fan favorite “Love Comes Down” was in there, and drummer Andy Oliver sang “Change Gonna Come.” Bass player  Floyd read Frasco’s 2017 apology to St. Augustine. Madness. Manic mania. Pure fun. Double-speed ’50s rockers. “Hava Nagila.” Limp Bizkit. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING…

Andy Frasco & the U.N. – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

The most anticipated set on Jam Cruise is Ivan Neville’s piano set in the Atrium. The usual suspects joined him, including some of the Dumpsta boys and Karl Denson. Church on a Friday.

phoffman’s pool deck debut was a lot of rockin’ bluegrass fun, with bass, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and a lap steel slung around the neck. It was a fine departure from the funk and rock, at least for a few minutes.

phoffman – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

But Trouble No More were about to blow up the theater. After “Trouble No More” and a nasty “Ain’t My Cross to Bear” (Lamar Williams Jr. was superb), they launched into “Mountain Jam.” This tune usually doesn’t move me, but this version turned otherworldly. Brandon “Taz” Niederauer had a fabulous solo (the superlatives are going to get convoluted here), and Daniel Donato’s was equally brilliant.

Trouble No More – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/10/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

But it was what happened in between that marked one of a couple high-water marks for JC 19. Peter Levin absolutely crushed his keyboard solo, synths and B3 and, well, it’s hard to say. Meanwhile, Dylan Niederauer turned in the most stunning bass performance on the boat (for me). Out of this world. After Nikki Glaspie and Jack Ryan had their turn, Roosevelt Collier worked in a fine “Third Stone from the Sun” quote. 

Trouble No More – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/10/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Vaylor Trucks came up to help send “You Don’t Love Me” skyward, Collier switching from pedal steel to his custom “lap” steel guitar. Levin’s piano throughout was wonderful. Isaiah Sharkey helped out on “Southbound,” and the whole shebang finished with a magical “Liz Reed” and thunderous “Whipping Post.”

Trouble No More – Jam Cruise 19 – 2/10/23 – MSC Divina and the Caribbean – photo © Dave Vann 2023

Want that kind of clarity about the Fackin’ A show? Me, too! The Jazz Lounge was wall-to-wall bodies. I did glimpse them on stage, briefly. Dillon roped the lespecial boys into this collaboration, but believe that it was pure Dillon insanity with lespecial’s extra special little something-something! WOW!

 

We opted to forego the Black & White Lounge, thus missing Honey Island Swamp Band and Pixie & the Partygrass Boys, and also Little Stranger (again, damn it) on the Brews at Sea stage. We headed to the pool deck for some recent arrivals: Oteil & Friends. 

Honey Island Swamp Band – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner
Little Stranger – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

Oteil & Friends had jumped on the boat in Grand Turk and were pouring it out with Eric Krasno. We would only catch a piece of this set, knowing that they would play the theater on Day 6. Favorite segment: “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed > Scarlet Begonias”! Nice pairing!

Oteil & Friends – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

It was Cymande who demanded our attention. Their historical status alone would have been enough, but their awesome shortened pool deck set was a glorious breath of fresh air, and we needed a LOT more. The band boasted three original members from the early 1970s: Patrick Patterson, guitar, vocals; Steve Scipio, bass, vocals; and Derrick Gibbs, alto sax, percussion. Vocalist Ray Simpson signed on in 2012. The band now includes Adrian Reid, keyboards; Kenny Davy, trumpet, flugelhorn; and Richard Bailey, drums (from best information available).

Cymande – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

The set was every bit as magical as we’d hoped it would be (and no rain!). Kudos to Jam Cruise for having them aboard and for giving them set times they deserved! They opened with “Down Down Down” and “Do It (This Time with Feeling),” and the deep grooves just kept flowing. Along the way, their hit tune “Bra” was followed by “Don’t Get Lost in Your Dreams” — always good advice. “The Message is Music” indeed!

Cymande – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe also tore up the theater with a superb set of funky rocky and rock-infused funk plus jazz, soul, and pure KD. The incredible power of this band is truly awesome. Everyone in the band had a feature, and they threw in a fine Dr. Lonnie Smith cover. DJ Williams is one monster guitarist.

Karl Denson – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

Umphrey’s McGee had the last word on the pool deck with a fine set of deep jams.

Umphrey’s McGee – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

Brandon “Taz” Niederauer hosted the Jam Room, and DJ Yesmann had his second night in Galaxy disco. 

Taz host the Jam Room – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

And of course The Spot was rockin’ until dawn +

The Sweet Lillies again rule The Spot – Jam Cruise Day 5 on February 10, 2023. 📸: Jason Koerner

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

There were multitudes of cowboys and aliens all over the ship for our final day on board. Neighbor got the party started with their noontime set on the pool deck, which included a nice tribute to the late Burt Bacharach with a cover of “What the World Needs Now.” 

Neighbor – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

We missed Mihali’s set on the Garden Pool deck and the one by phoffman that followed. There was also a Jam Cruise wedding with music by Roosevelt Collier and friends.

Mihali & Adrian Tramontano – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin
phoffman – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

We also missed the wonderful Positive Legacy silent auction and live auction of an amazing array of donated items, not the least of which was the stunning quilt featuring portrait patches created by Aaron Schwartz. 

Positive Legacy – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Karina Rykman and her band on numerous occasions, but this was by far our favorite. There was a series of superb ten-minute jams that rolled out over the pool deck, and then a smokin’ “On the Chaise Longue” that slid into “Psycho Killer,” “Groove is in the Heart,” and some incredible psychedelic guitar from Adam November. DAMN!

Karina Rykman – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

We did not get to Cosmic Cowboy Frasco Fiasco featuring madness and maybe some music from Daniel Donato and Andy Frasco. Later we missed seeing Shira Elias and Sammi Garett MCing the Costume Contest.

If you’re a betting man or woman, put your money on the return of Yacht Rock, a set brilliantly conceived and delightfully received. There were so many players in and out of the set, with The Horn Section, Lebo, Elias & Garett,and at least a dozen more. Ivan Neville and Nigel Hall on “Give Me the Night.” Add Karl Denson’s flute for “Lowdown.” “Magic,” “Brandy,” “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” “Rosanna,” and “Your Kiss is on My List” were just part of the fun as everybody sang and danced along.

Yacht Rock – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

Dave Watts gets the award for getting the greatest number of players on stage for the Super Jam: 9 vocalists, 7 bass players, 8 drummers/percussionists, 6 guitarists, 5 keyboard players, and 10 horns. And Dave on drums. His matrix was mind-blowing. They opened with “Africano/Power,” hit a pair of Led Zep tunes, “Expensive Shit” from Fela Kuti, “Higher Ground,” “Grease,” and a closing “Take Me to the River.” PURE GENIUS

Dave Watts Super Jam – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

Neal Francis had his Atrium set, followed there by Jake Simpson hosting the Pickin’ Lounge. We missed those plus lespecial in the B&W.

Neal Francis – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin
Jake Simpson – Pickin’ Lounge – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Future funk fusion jazz quintet Butcher Brown was holding forth in The Black & White Lounge with a cadre of 10 (count ‘em, 10) horns! Benny Bloom and Ryan Zoidis of Lettuce; Josh Schwartz, Chris Brouwers and Greg Sanderson of The Horn Section; and Ernie Chang of Andy Frasco & The U.N. were among the players stacked like a gospel choir on the tiny stage. Soul provider, Lettuce keyboardist, and frequent Butcher Brown collaborator Nigel Hall also made an appearance.

Butcher Brown w/ lots o’ horns – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: Chris Baldwin

Made up of keyboardist DJ Harrison; drummer Corey Fonville; bassist Andrew Randazzo; trumpeter / saxophonist / MC Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney; and guitarist Morgan Burrs, Butcher Brown has been producing Grammy-level work that defies categorization. Jazz, funk, soul, rhymes, and beats flow effortlessly from these groove masters. This set was a stunner from start to finish with a mesmerising performance from Marcus Tenney rhyming poetry and blowing trumpet buoyed by his bandmates and the epic horn section. This show will be affixed to our memory banks for years to come.

 

Next tough call: Umphrey’s McGee and Oteil & Friends in the same time slot. We caught part of a very hot UM set including favorite tune “Day Nurse” before moving to the theater for Oteil and company.

 

Oteil’s friends included the dynamic duo on guitars: Steve Kimock and Eric Krasno. Brilliant. And Jennifer Hartswick on vocals and trumpet is always amazing. There was a great rendition of “Mercy, Mercy” and a short “Franklin’s Tower” before Hartswick blew us down with “Gotta Serve Somebody,” Ivan Neville on Hammond B3. They were joined by Lamar Williams Jr., Karl Denson (tenor sax), and Vaylor Trucks for “Dreams” and a stunning “Hot ’Lanta.”

Oteil & Friends – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

Polyrhythmics had a set on the small Brews at Sea stage opposite the main pool deck stage, continuing their dynamic attack on deep funk and jam with their excellent horn section.

Polyrhythmics – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

Galactic always get the last word in the theater, and once again they demonstrated why with a tremendous set of NOLA funk, soul, jazz, and jam. “Higher Power” featured vocalist Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph. “Heart of Steel” was in there as well. Compatriot Mike Dillon was in his proper spot next to Stanton Moore; the two of them are joined at the hip musically — very hip. The Horn Section made what was probably the 20th appearance on Jam Cruise (talk about MVPs!).

Galactic – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

SunSquabi had the honor of shutting down the pool deck with another, and those of us who made it reveled in thoughts of the past week. But it STILL wasn’t over.

SunSquabi – Jam Cruise Saturday. 📸: John-Ryan Lockman

The Spot was alive and well, as it was each and every evening until sunrise and beyond.

Roosevelt Collier had the last run in the Jam Room, with an outstanding cast of players joining him, including Kowan Suave Turner on drums and Tommy Shugart on Hammond B3 and keyboards. Both of those gents had lost of playing time all week!

DJ Airwolf partied in the disco like it was, well, Jam Cruise 19 for a little while longer.

 

And then they made us get off the ship.

 

Have you pre-booked yet?

 

Do you need to know who is on the lineup? Answer: YOU DO NOT.

 

As always, 10,000 thanks (approximate number of photos to sort through) to Angie Ricciotti, Tara Gracer, Jesse Faatz, Dave Vann, Josh Timmermans, Jason Koerner, Chris Baldwin, and John-Ryan Lockman for their incredible work!

 

 

Comments are closed.