Jam Cruise Report

[ChiTownHuck]

Man oh man oh man! Got back into Chicago on Friday, and I am still buzzing about Jam Cruise. It did not top Jazz Fest, but it rivaled it, and there were some things that were better. Like when a set ends a 5 am, and all you have to do is walk back to your room rather than fight for a cab back to the Quarter. Another one was the Theater was across the hall from a one of the bars, so you could be to a new set in 1 minute.

The crowds were great, and you could get within a couple people of the stage on most every set. You see all the finger work and expressions. The sound was great.

Galactic played the best set I have every seen them play, and it rivals the best sets of music ever for me. Big Sam and Trombone Shorty blew it out with them. Stanton was standing up on the first song. Walter Wolfman Washington showed his serious chops and brought the boat down.

Bonerama sat in with everyone and had Big Sam and Trombone Shorty on stage with them. 6 Trombones, can you feel it! Heard several times, "I have never heard of Bonerama and they blew my mind."

PBS was incredible as usual. George Porter was also every where along with Ivan Neville.

Got to eat with Ivan and Ryan Stasik from Umphries McGee and a kid named Matt Grondin who is a musician from NOLA. He was sitting in with several bands trying to make some connections. Two nights later got to eat with Steve Sutter and his wife. Real nice couple.

Franti was Franti and brought great music and spirituality.

Brass Band parades from Bonerama and Midnight Disturbers.

Garage a Trios, New Mastersounds, Lee Boys, The Dynamites, ALO, Tea Leaf Green, Emmitt Nershi, Keller, Les Claypool...all great and I know I am leaving some out. I don't know how I can do both Jam Cruise and Jazz Fest, but I think I have to figure it out. Oh almost forgot about Bustle in Your Hedgerow...just incredible.

Now I really can't wait until May.

[glinda]

Wow, sounds great, huck. I wondered about that cruise - so glad you enjoyed it!

[funkkjunkie]

Oh, my. So proud you got to be a part of it, huck. Need to hear more about the bustle in your hedgerow and the midnight disturbers set. Were Kevin ODay and Matt Perrine there? Who else? Jam cruise is at the top of my list. But it's always back to school in january. 2015 will be my year, if not before. Lawd, that's a long damn time.

[ChiTownHuck]

KK you need to get that week long flu in January. ;)

Bustle is Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Dave Driewitz from Ween, and Scott Metzger. They play Zepplin tunes. Even though they are playing covers, they are not a cover band because they bring their own style to the songs. They rocked. Dave broke a string. I have never seen a bass player break a string.

The Midnight Disturbers had Stanton and Kevin for sure, but I got there late, so I not could see who all was part of it. I was really bummed I missed it. I want to catch them in NOLA.

...and Robert Walter was there, Leftover Salmon, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Medeski Martin and Wood...see I told you I would forget people, and there are more.

[Amy Winette]

Sounds amazing!!

[Corona]

Oh, my. So proud you got to be a part of it, huck. Need to hear more about the bustle in your hedgerow and the midnight disturbers set. Were Kevin ODay and Matt Perrine there? Who else? Jam cruise is at the top of my list. But it's always back to school in january. 2015 will be my year, if not before. Lawd, that's a long damn time.
but we're right there with ya sister! It'll go fast....you watch. It'll give us 6 years to save lol!!

Huck, I'm completely jealous and so happy for you. This is definitely one of my #1 dream trips and it sounds like it was completely off the hook!! Wahoo for you!!!

[Corona]

KK you need to get that week long flu in January. ;)

Bustle is Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Dave Driewitz from Ween, and Scott Metzger. They play Zepplin tunes. Even though they are playing covers, they are not a cover band because they bring their own style to the songs. They rocked. Dave broke a string. I have never seen a bass player break a string.

The Midnight Disturbers had Stanton and Kevin for sure, but I got there late, so I not could see who all was part of it. I was really bummed I missed it. I want to catch them in NOLA.

...and Robert Walter was there, Leftover Salmon, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Medeski Martin and Wood...see I told you I would forget people, and there are more.
omg, that's truly insane!! damn.......

[MusicRoadMan]

Certainly sounds like a great time...I am highly jealous..

For those who want more details, jump on over to Jambands.com (http://www.jambands.com/NewsArchives.phtml) and they give a day by day breakdown. It will make you even more green with envy.

Also iClips.net was on board (http://www.iclips.net/jamcruise.php) and will be releasing video starting this week, they have ALO up now as well as some video from last years cruise including Galactic, Grace Potter and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Later this week they will Dumpstaphunk and Garage a Trois up. Sign up an account and they will send an email when more are uploaded.

They also have a ton of video in archives (http://www.iclips.net/music.php) to get us thru those long winter months of no festivals.

[bigeasy711]

Wow. Green with envy, Huck.

[duende]

Bustle is Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Dave Driewitz from Ween, and Scott Metzger. They play Zepplin tunes. Even though they are playing covers, they are not a cover band because they bring their own style to the songs. They rocked. Dave broke a string. I have never seen a bass player break a string.


I'm glad to see someone from this group taking the step - Jamcruise seems to be a young person's game on the one hand - and usually stirs some rivalry when mentioned on other festival boards, but hey, who wouldn't want to do it all! I loved Bustle at High Sierra, and I'd seen the Duo bustin' out the Zep, so it was a great fit. And I'll have to dig out my video of Mr. Porter breaking not one, but two strings during the Mtn Winery Funky Meters set and playing through the 2nd string change while PBS' tech frantically re-strung and tuned around his playing... amazing!

[ChiTownHuck]

I was surprised by the range of ages on the boat. It was a good range. I am turning 40, and I might have been on the older side, but not by much. Most were my peers. There were some serious old timers there as well. There were a couple older ladies that looked very polished that I would have bet money were not into music let alone Jam Cruise. I was wrong. There was a silver haired and goateed gentleman right out of the Economy Hall Tent. I think the cost keeps the young pains in the a$$ off the boat; although, there were a few well spun wooks on board.

Two strings. That's great.

[duende]

I don't mind being an elder statesman, or silver-haired bad example! ;) and I'm constantly amazed by how well traveled some of the jam-circuit "kids" are - they're fearless about roaming the globe, and I definitely feel that the culture of music has helped open the world for them.

and the thing I most wanted to know... how was your room? did you get an inner cabin, or splurge for the porthole, or even more?

[funkkjunkie]

Those kids are trustafarians, most likely. I wanna be one of those. :D

[Chicago Fest Fan]

Sounds like a lot of fun Huck, great review. Are you going to Galactic at the Vic 2/6/09?

[Phatpapa]

Most definately on my "bucket list".

Thanks for the update

[jazzjones]

Thanks for the report.
I saw that lineup, and was knocked out. Wish that I could have figured out the time and $$ to make it happen. Maybe next year ...

[ChiTownHuck]

I don't mind being an elder statesman, or silver-haired bad example! ;) and I'm constantly amazed by how well traveled some of the jam-circuit "kids" are - they're fearless about roaming the globe, and I definitely feel that the culture of music has helped open the world for them.

and the thing I most wanted to know... how was your room? did you get an inner cabin, or splurge for the porthole, or even more?

We did a large balcony, and it was worth every penny. We went with another couple that we go to Jazz Fest with and got adjoining rooms. Plus you could open up a door on the balconies. On the first day our neighbor to the left peeked his head around and asked if we were friendly. When we said yes, he pulled out a screw driver he brought and opened four balconies in a row, so we were able to talk to several neighbors. Everyone is very friendly.

A lot of the Jam Cruise vets like to get the cheap inner rooms because you are never in the room, but we liked stopping into the room throughout the day and night, so we loved having the extras space and balcony.

[ChiTownHuck]

Sounds like a lot of fun Huck, great review. Are you going to Galactic at the Vic 2/6/09?

I really want to go see Galactic, but I another friend of ours is putting together a party at the House of Blues for Cowboy Mouth. He rents out a couple balcony rooms through the Foundation Room. Last year we saw the Mouth and Dumpstafunk. It was great. If that falls through though, I will be at the Vic. I need a music clone. :D

[ABITAGIRL1]

We did Jam Cruise a few years ago (jamcruise 2) and had the greatest time, best trip ever. If you are thinking of doing it next year you have to sign up now, it sells out, you put your name a presale list and get first choice of the cabins. Whatever is left (usually not great rooms) goes on sale to the public but that gets snapped up really quick too. It's worth doing, it's as musically stimulating as JF with music all day and night but all in one place. SO easy.It's fantastic to go take a nap for an hour or two and then stumble down to one of the clubs to catch a favorite bands at 2am, no worries. All the musicians sit in with each other and there is so much creativity and excitement on their parts too. Amazing music and jams and the fact that you're hanging out on the beach during the day as the icing on the cake. Rebirth was on our cruise and I recall sitting watching them from the hot tub with a fruity drink in hand thinking....it just doesn't get better then this. I can't reccomend it enough. And we're older too, but I never felt like we didn't fit in there. It's one big happy family. You get to meet all the musicians, and sit with different people every night. I met so many cool people. Hung with Karl Densen and his family,played soccer with Michael Franti and all the guys from Spearhead on the beach in the Bahamas. It was excellent. I want to do it again but haven't been able to work it out.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Thanks for the report. Maybe not the jam, but the Blues Cruise is # 2 on my things to do.

[ChiTownHuck]

That Blues Cruise looks pretty cool as well.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

That Blues Cruise looks pretty cool as well.

So, lets get a group of Theads and...........

[Chicago Fest Fan]

The Blues cruise is on my bucket list. They do 2 each year, 1 Pacific in Oct and 1 Caribbean in Jan. They just announced the line up for the Pacific cruise.
http://www.bluescruise.com/

[Orleansnj]

The Blues cruise is on my bucket list. They do 2 each year, 1 Pacific in Oct and 1 Caribbean in Jan. They just announced the line up for the Pacific cruise.
http://www.bluescruise.com/

Lester leaps in (aka John) has been on this and raves about it. It's also on my list of things to do....

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

The Blues cruise is on my bucket list. They do 2 each year, 1 Pacific in Oct and 1 Caribbean in Jan. They just announced the line up for the Pacific cruise.
http://www.bluescruise.com/

Maybe I should make this #1 on my wish list. nice lineup

[sharon_loves_fats]

Thanks for the report. Maybe not the jam, but the Blues Cruise is # 2 on my things to do.

What's #1?

[sharon_loves_fats]

Lester leaps in (aka John) has been on this and raves about it. It's also on my list of things to do....

On my list as well...

[Festngator]

Jam cruise shows now up
http://cotapers.org/torrents.php

[Phatpapa]

Jam cruise shows now up
http://cotapers.org/torrents.php

Oooh, Muchas Gracias FG
Downloading now

that coloartist seems to get around

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

What's #1?

Doing 3 nights in a row Thur/Fri/Sat

Mon 03/09/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Tue 03/10/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Thu 03/12/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 03/13/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 03/14/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Mon 03/16/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre

Tue 03/17/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Thu 03/19/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 03/20/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 03/21/09 New York, NY Beacon Theatre

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

oops.... 3 nights Allman Brothers

[funkkjunkie]

Oh, my, so much music. So little tiime. Jimmy Thackery and the Cate Brothers live in NW Arkansas. Reba Russell is from over staxsun's way. I just love her. Guy Davis is pretty cool too.
This was one rockin jamcruise--Lettuce! Robert Walter superjam!