JAM CRUISE 4: THE WALRUS IS...

Wow wish i could have made it. Looks solid all the way through /I bet Nershi and Kang threw down as well a s Umph. and Keller shti and Karl Denson. A buddy of mine told me that every show was sweet in its own way. Tripping balls on a boat crusin the ocean while jammin to sweet grooves during winter none the less! OUT OF SIGHT

Cool festival err boat trip but I think it is more like Madison House fest. there are enough Madison House festivals going on... enough already.

so many great momemts, i'll try to keep it to three..

1) the costa maya beach party...I can't believe everyone came! (except skerik, where was he anyway??)

2) the apes, the apes, the apes, oh and the apes!!!!!!!! (**love** these guys and thier music too!)

3) critter's buggin in the lirica lounge!

the fact that i saw sooooo much great music and was completely fufuilled, yet have such different memories than those posted above!

jam cruise is the best....i must stop obsessing!

1

This cruise was a great one! Not sure if it is fair to compare to past years, since each brings more to the table each following. I feel blessed to be a part of Jam Cruise, this is my 3rd. God Bless the promoters. BUT for God's sake lets get a boat next year that knows how to make pizza!! PS swiming with sting rays in Caymen Islands is not a good idea on Acid!

1. Hairy Apes BMX with Karl D and Brad Houser!
2. Meeting Bela Fleck in the hallway.
3. Gomez and New Monsoon! Check these guys out if you haven't heard them!

That's just a few highlights!! What a great time, with a boat full a great people! The vibe was perfect!!!

They should get a good line up next year. No String Cheese outside bands, no Umph...

Embeded Video in the story, the is F**king cool! We need more of that!

Wish I could have been on the Luv boat this year, Better start saving of next! Looks like too much fun!

parrot

Wow! I just watched the "taste". What a beautiful scene!!!

Thanks to everyone that made this experince one of the most memorable ever.

-DJ Williams-
http://www.djwmusic.com

The photo's and words are a great recap of highlights. That short download of "Hey Jude" is quite cool! - Now I just have to wait for a copy of the Brain-Damaged Eggmen to surface.

Hillary Bonner (Returning JamCruise passenger)

1) Claypool's poolside set on January 11 was by far one of the most, um, interesting shows I've seen. From Gaby singing the White Rabbit cover to the sick, sick dueling beats of Mike and Jay to Skerik's continual freak-you-out style; Les has definitely found himself one hell of a project with these folks. Not to mention, the Colonel himself conducting the band with his full-out rock-n-fall over bass lines. The strong tropical breeze ruling the deck during this set was blowing just for us at the will of Col. Claypool himself.

2) The staff- I just want to take a moment to reflect on the amazing staff of this beautiful ship. On the morning of disembarkation, some friends and I were at breakfast. Our waiter and some other members of the staff were revelling at how much they would miss the jam cruisers. I was amazed at how even the bar staff, who we definitely worked into the ground, were loving (almost) every second of the crowd and the music. When I returned home, I realized what a culture shock we must have been to most of them. I even ran into a couple of "undercover" staff members dressed to the max in boas and visors so that they could come out and get down with us while avoiding identification by their bosses. I like to think that a lot of the fantastic members of this staff will take the music home with them much like I do each year.

3) Umphrey's Muthafuckin' McGee is right! These guys stole the show as the "younguns" of jam cruise! Each time I see the UM, it's as if they have played a thousand shows since the last one. Their first set with a sick "In the Kitchen" opener and a special visit from Keller for a delightful performance of "Fame" was a fantasmic way to kick off the best boat trip I've ever been on. Other UM moments include: Brendan sitting in with Keller and Michael Travis for a rockin version of "Jane Says," The Braindamaged Eggmen...I agree that "Hey, Jude" was one of the top moments of the trip...and the jam room. My I <3 UM t-shirt that I bought on the boat last year was a great, great purchase.

Thanks to everyone at Madison House and Cloud Nine for the amazing journey and for your continual efforts in making Jam Cruise the best vacation ever!

i am a 52 y/o rocker who to be honest wasn't all that familiar with all the bands but was uniformly blown away by the artistry and the imagination. my 19 y/o asked me to join him [and pick up the tab}. the late night sets {or early morning] were phenomenal, highlighted by umphrey's mcgee and galactic. bella was sublime and franti was inspirational.
till next year
lts/jts

Sorry to be so critical, but you could have taken more time to put a sweet article together. Hey jude was mentioned 10 too many times. I hoped for more reviews (such as Les. Oh well, ill have to go see it for myself next year.

Holy crap, that was by far the coolest thing I have ever done in my entire life. I would like to thank, Mark brown, Capt. Toast and the whole crew for making dreams come true. You guys have created new a level of KICK ASS.
Les Claypools 2nd set melted my brian, I'm still not right. Critters Buggin is one of my new favorite bands, they need to tour more. Galactic's 1st set was a crazy super jam, it was off the hook. The Fanastic 4 were so good, it turn out to be Fantastic 8 shortly after the set started. One of the best parts was DJ Williams getting up and playing with every one and their momma, he got around. Oh yea, how could I forget about the best part of the whole cruise, the hotdog pizza was f*cking awesome. I see ya'll on the next cruise.
Scuba Steve

Bring back the Disco Biscuits next year.

Thank you to everyone who I experienced this magical event with, and esp. to the staff for all their hard work in putting together the best festival I have ever fathomed. My top 3 JC4 moments would have to be:

1) Being front center for Les Claypool's first show on the Pool Stage. My girlfriend and I were surrounded by hardcore les fans like ourselves and it just added to the absolute madness that went down that night. Brain-damaged eggmen followed right after. It dont get much better than that. Ya'll may remember seeing me, I sported the roman helmet and red and gold mask on several of the nights.

2) Bela Fleck & the Flecktones first show in 13 months in the Broadway theater. I can not tell you how intimate and mind-blowing this show was. I left the theater that night speechless. Watching Lebo bring a painting to life right in front of us all while the flecktones lit the pace up was nuts. This may have been the show of the cruise for me.

3) Hairy Apes BMX!!(first show w/ Brad Houser, Karl D, & Z-Rock) Oh my god what a show! My girlfriend and I watched the entire soundcheck with some of our new friends we met aboard, and it was just us, the band, and several other musicians such as Stanton Moore and Skerik in the Lirica Lounge and it was just a great feeling. The Apes then preceeded to drop a musical bomb in that place. The crowd was so into it and the entire show was just in-your-face craziness. I left there dripping sweat with the biggest smile on my face. Cant wait to see these guys play again.

Theres so much more I would love to write about, but I dont want to take up too much space. Very quickly, other notable mentions were DJ WILLIAMS!!(It was great watching one of my fav local musicians bring the heat with every one if his sit ins, his acoustic performance was beyond touching, and I loved the fact that he was really taking a step up to the next level of his musical career), making friends with Gabby La La and requesting she play golden flea and then to have her tell us once she got down from the stage that she played it for us! JAM ROOM!!! I think all of you understand how fukin badd ass this room was. THANK YOU SO MUCH JAMCRUISERS. I WILL SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!! Much love.

I'm a 60 year old rock'n'roll geezer who signed on just so I could spend a week with my college age daughter. I had a blast!! Highlights: Victor's 12 minute solo, GOMEZ!!!, Brain Damaged Eggmen, Umphrie McGee's furious mambo melting into the coda from Coltrane's "A Love Supreme", Bassnector vs. Kang, and every single moment watching Stanton Moore behind his kit. Best comment: Father Frank, the ship's priest, said it was the best cruise he's been on in 15 years. My ultimate goal: Jamcruise and the Delbert McClinton cruise back-to-back. Keep a-rockin'.

I LIKE MY BASS LOUDY, LOUDY, LOUDY, LOUDER!!!!!!
JJ

In complete honesty, after reading that review, I don't think have ever been more sold on an event in my entire life... And I've read alot of reviews.

Great Article. See you next year.

Unbelievable Time! I usually just lurk on the message board but just reading the highlights of my trip brought tears to my eyes. It was truly an amazing adventure. I am forever grateful that I went.

Bout time Clean Vibes got some props.... FUnny but at Bonnaroo we bust our ass cleaning after 90K people and no one seems to care??? GLad to see Franti giving props.. Much love to that guy...Now if we can get the same after we clean up after 80-90k people....

Much love
Chad

I really didn't think that much could top my JC1 fun. I'd prefer not to repeat any trend but-Umphreys McGee!!-gets better everytime, words will never do. KDTU second show, slammed down some funk!!! Bela-a pleasure. The Lee Boys sunday morning-thank you and can I get an amen. All the music rocked and the best thing about JamCruise is that all these amazing musicians are on the loose and you never know what to expect- the synergy is off the hook. I know I'm not alone- the Franti movie was moving and everyone should see it, it makes up for spearheads repetition and how you feelin's to know he is after the truth and sharing. The crew was overworked and surviving, even with 2000people who for the most part don't rest. If the boat never hit a port and just went in a big circle people would still love it. It's a playground for big kids.

Wow, If I wasn't already pre-booked for Jam Cruise 5, I'd be busy pre-booking for Jam Cruise 5.

It was wonderful.

Glad to hear the event was solid, but I got to tell you that I am bummed that SCI, Madison House and Jam Cruise took so heavily from Xingolati and could not come up with thier own concepts. Basically, if you put together SCI's New Years and Jam Cruise you get Xingolati...Jam Cruise even took some of the same artists after they rocked Xingolati...Bass Nectar...EO, not to mention performance artists and dressing up are all of a sudden part of Jam Cruise...Jam Cruise folks were on Xingolati and it is obvious....

To: Hillary Bonner
Thank you for taking the time to compliment the staff. Silvano looked awesome in the feathers and Vegas visor!!
The bands were off the hook and the staff made us at home. I love the Casino team!!
Smiles and much love,
Az

My life will never be the same. Went last year and couldn't wait for this year. And next year feels like an eternity. It is an honor and a privelege to be able to participate in the floating musical utopia we call Jamcruise. Thanks to Annabel, Capt Toast, and everyone who makes it possible!!


BTW--you who mention JC trying to be like Xingolati--JC was around before Xingo...the folks who put on Xingolati came on JC3 last year to figure out how to do their own West Coast version. SO I'd say Xingo is trying to be like JC.

another 30 second clip from Hey Jude taken from on the stage behind the na na na nas

http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=11SIQ4O21GQYD3G097T809XXDB

JC waz superb!
1 request:
keep that jamroom open 24 hours !!!!
international a +
JC- BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
peace
zee

Oh my Gosh!! You mean we have to wait a whole year to do that again?? Amazing. Truely amazing. Beautiful people, beautiful music, and beautiful vibes. Jam Cruise is out of this world. If you haven't been, you should be the first in line for next year...and if you have already experienced it, you couldn't imagine passing it up! Jennifer Hartswick added so much this year..you go girl! Umphrey's ROCKED THE FREAKIN' HOUSE YA'LL!! No denying it...and Bela was a wonderful addition. Everyone loves a little pickin' and dancin'! : ) The new ports (Jamaica was awesome!) added so much to an already perfect experience. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. And to the person with the comment about JC trying to be like Xingolati...hello?!...since WHEN is it bad to have soo much of a good thing? Don't worry about replication..Jam Cruise is by far in a class of it's own. Period. See ya next year! Oh- and BRAVO Annabel!! Your hard work is truely appreciated!

jam cruise is not trying to be like xingo and xingo is not trying to be like jam cruise...they both are similar, but obviously very very different!! I think the promotors actually have made an effort to make these events different (i.e. the performance art connection in xingo, the bigger focus on live music on JC)....

and yes, this is JC four...xingo has only happened once...get a clue!

anyhoo...if you are sold on this event and are not pre-booked, you best be getting to it! no doubt the good cabins are likely to be gone before this goes onsale to the general public!!

One of the most memorable times I've ever had. I will be back every year. The vibe was incredibly positive and warm the whole time. The music was amazing and land time was uplifting!

Michael Franti will bring a tear to your eye
Costa Maya is the bomb
Umphrey's McGee are ROCK GODS!!
DJ Lorin enough said
Jam Room was off the chain
Have P Groove on the boat next year
See you next year.....

Just Amazing!!! The greatest vacation one can imagine (and that I ever had)

1) Leaving the port in Fort Lauderdale, with Antibalas JAMMING - amazing, glad I was able to catch them play again and see the members jamming all over the ship

2) After the tour in Ochos Rios (and climbing the falls) paying the tour guide extra to take us to get killer Jerk Chicken and a Red Stripe at some hideaway shack - and running into Karl Denson just chilling out

3) the Music was just amazing - seeing all the musicians jamming all over the place, Wooten and the flecktones jamming, kimock band, Keller, Umphreys, Gomex, Lee Boys, Eggmen, DJ Williams(incredible talent) Papa Mali, Galactic. Man, I could go on and on, just amazing

Thx JC staff, lets please do this more often!!!

stokis :)

Melissa Bruck(jamcruise newbie)
I am SO SO SO glad that I said f*%k it. I missed it last year and there ain't no way I'm missing it again. A credit card is maxed, but the best decision EVER!!! It was by far the best time I've ever had in my life(next to BM). The BEST musical festival ever created. I think all the music was absolutely fabulous. Every band and every artist were phenominal. The lowdown of my top moments.
=) Singing along at the top of my lungs during "Best Feeling" with Keller during deck set @ twilight and realizing the true meaning of the song. Being mistaken for his girlfriend(even though he's married) by these boys in line was pretty cool, too.
=) Being fresh off the Cayman scuba diving boat, double fisting red stripes, dancing my ASS off to Franti's set on the deck with those same boys. (Let me tell you that dancing sideways Jamiraqui style on the top deck of a moving cruise ship and just watching the waves rush by is the BEST!)
=)After being all sweaty from dancing to Galactic, Jam Room, Bassnectar, Jam Room, Claypool, and Jam Room again. Then jumping into the pool, then sitting in the hot tub for 2 1/2 hours to watch the sun rise.
=) I think each and every person that I met was the reason for going. I went alone(having a few friends going seperately) and on the singles program-absolutely fabulous. I met SO many new friends for life.
=) Eating dinner with Mike Dillon and not realizing who he was until about halfway through(I wasn't ever that up close before)
=) But, I honestly think that my top favorite moments were at Bassnectars sets. He absolutely tore it up and caused my to get down, and up, the sideways, then spinning,(repeated in all combinations) the most. There were moments that the rocking of the ship was so intense and incredible bass-beats were so cosmically alligned that I am sure it was the best energy in the universe.

like our own secret world adrift at sea-so much love, unity, and creativity- such a powerful experience, I'm so greatful for all your votes and energy on board- thanks to those who went to visit Bob Marley in 9 mile. Thanks to Jaime for playing at my yoga and to those who stretched-to Papa Mali, DJ, Rebecca, the Fan 4, EO, SouleyeSleepyhead and to everyone else for jamming with me-thanks to Julie, Marc, and Toast and the staff and thanks for the JAM ROOM! and the waiting to get of the boat jam

Love and Light
Kim

www.myspace.com/KimManning
Kimmanning.com

ps. from my experience Xingo and Jamcruise have a very different vibe like burning man parties and rainbow gatherings- but attract like minded folks

Kim your such a hottie!

And DJ you rock and are one cool ass mofo!

OK so my favorite moments:
1) The love. I don't think there was single moment that I didn't feel it.
2)Watching Umphrey's from a hot tub at 3 in the am.
3)Hearing Keller and Brendan cover Tenacious D.
4)Asking Les if wanted to do a J in Mexico and him turning us down.
5)Bela Fleck's set on the pool deck.
6)Everyone Orchestra both sets.
7)Seeing Jen everywhere and wanting to tell her she rocks everytime because of the amaizing "Tell Me Somthing Good".
8)Antibalas getting the party started.
9)The endless jams in the jamroom and the spontanious jams that happened from people getting up and playing with others like Papa Mali's second set on the pool deck...that rocked.
10)Fantastic 4
Things I didnt like:
1)Watching them tear it down at 5:30 am as we were pulling into port.
2)The two nights I got sleep...I shouldn't have done that.


Can't wait for next year! :)

Jack and Coke

My magical moments on jamcruise are perpetual. Sipping bahama mama's with billy nershi and giving out free high 5's with brendan bayliss, priceless. Getting down to the fantastic four playing nautilius, and dancing with franti all night. Finding duke (anitbalas) in the elevator playing with the mirrors. Having a fake tattoo party with papa mali at 4:00 a.m. feeding costa mia tequila to stanton moore. Gettin down in the anchor room and not getting caught. Having my love pick me up in his arms, while we slow dance to micheal franti's voice. Busting keller williams smoking a cigerette, then passing him something worth smoking. meeting friend's for life. The most beautiful, unforgetable 6 days of my life. Thank you annebel and mark. see you next year capt. toast