Suwannee Amp Jam #1 Schedule: PURE GRAVY

The amazing schedule for the inaugural Amp Jam #1 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (April 6–8) is ready for your eyes. Eleven bands. Sixteen sets. Three days. ONE STAGE. The music comes to you. You should start warming up your superlatives (we certainly have).

This is just a quick overview of the schedule. There is much more to come. Also, the official Amp Jam Spotify playlist!

THURSDAY, MARCH 6

When Paul Levine is curating a lineup, it is both recommended and prudent that you show up the first day, for the first band. CAN CONFIRM. I noted in a post the other day that he had Shak Nasti play the opening set at Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival 2009. He’s done it again. This incredible Orlando trio & friends have the first set Thursday. DON’T MISS THEM!

Don’t miss Diggin Dirt, either. These north California gents are stunning, bringing the James Brown funk vibe front and center. Somehow I missed them at Suwannee Hulaween 2023, but I was fully indoctrinated on Jam Cruise 2024.

Levine, the park, Eddie Roberts, and The New Mastersounds have been well acquainted for more than 15 years. So well acquainted, in fact, that The New Mastersounds had the final two-and-a-half-hour marathon at Hulaween 2024. The previous year, that cherished last set went to Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes, Roberts’ new rock-and-roll outlet featuring young guitar slinger Shelby Kemp, the dynamic rhythm section duo of Ashley and Taylor Galbraith, and wizard Chris Spies on keys. They are a wonderful addition to this lineup. They also have a second set Saturday!

Eggy have been skyrocketing with festival appearances far and wide, including at Suwannee Hulaween, with a special late-night set last year, Jam Cruise, and many others. Alex Bailey (drums, vocals), Jake Brownstein (guitar, vocals), Mike Goodman (bass, vocals) and Dani Battat (keys, vocals) began this enterprise in 2016, and hard work has led directly to their success.

Eggy – Suwannee Hulaween ’24. 📸: Zach Smith

FRIDAY, MARCH 7

The Legendary JCs are another of the Sunshine State’s most venerable groups, from Orlando, with the timeless energy of Eugene Snowden fronting a powerhouse funk band again honoring the tradition of James Brown and so many great singers and bands.

Diggin Dirt return for round two. If you simply cannot get to the park Thursday, DO NOT under any circumstance miss this set. Just say’…

Eggy get a second round, too!

Dumpstaphunk, the New Orleans kings, have, like The New Mastersounds, been in the Bear Creek/Paul Levine camp forever, playing dozens of times at the park, including seven appearances at the Wanee Music Festival. Should you go see them? “I WISH YOU WOULD!”

Dumpstaphunk. 📸: Jenise Jensen Photography

Lettuce are also Suwannee regulars, with many Bear Creek, Hulaween, Resonate Suwannee, and Suwannee Rising credits. There is a very good reason why their Facebook handle is Lettucefunk. They are in the vanguard of the jazz/funk movement, and we’ll get a double dose Saturday.

Lettuce – Suwannee Hulaween ’24. 📸: @VonRphoto

For a dozen years, Wanee festival fans got to hear Warren Haynes intone: “WA-NEEEEE!” Gov’t Mule played 11 of those, and many have been hoping and praying that The Mule would return to give us all a good ass-kicking. Brothers and Sisters: your prayers have been answered! Twice. They will be back to close out this first Amp Jam.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

South Florida’s incredible jamtronica jazz prog quartet Electric Kif will open Saturday’s festivities. Their numerous park appearances have always provided incendiary results!

Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes are back for a second helping. At Hulaween 2023, Roberts grinned as he pointed out that he is a “boogaloo guitarist playing rock and roll!”

Shelby Kemp, Eddie Roberts & Chris Spies – Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes

In 1973, Herbie Hancock turned the world on its head with his album Headhunters, also the name of his band. 52 years later, percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark have kept the vibe alive with The Headhunters, with nine albums and many concert appearances. Fusion royalty in the house!

The DAZE BETWEEN BAND (think Jazz Fest) will honor George Porter Jr. with the help of John Scofield, Eric Krasno, Jennifer Hartwsick, Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce), Viveca Hawkins, and a bunch of the Dumpsta family, including Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Tony Hall, Deven Trusclair, and Alex Wasily. AND guests! Porter is atop the list of special guests for Amp Jam along with Scofield, Krasno, and Hartswick.

Lettuce are: Erick “Jesus” Coomes, bass; Adam Deitch, drums & percussion; Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff, guitar; Ryan Zoidis, saxophone & percussion; Eric “Benny” Bloom, trumpet & percussion; and Nigel Hall, keyboards & vocals.

Gov’t Mule fans are just waiting to hear Haynes say, “How you doin’, huh?” Be prepared for the roar that will follow. Haynes, guitar and vocals, is joined by one tight group, with Matt Abts, drums, percussion, vocals; Danny Louis, Hammond B3, keyboards, guitar, trumpet, vocals; and Kevin Scott, bass (which in his case is short for badass).

Suwannee Amp Jam #1 Schedule: PURE GRAVY