We Are Magic: Jam Cruise 19 Hosts All-Star Yacht Rock Set

For many years ALO guitarist/vocalist Lebo (Dan Lebowitz) has envisioned a mid-afternoon Yacht Rock set aboard Jam Cruise and his dream finally came to fruition on Saturday. Lebo curated an inspired batch of songs from the era and enlisted a number of Jam Cruise 19 musicians to join him for the 90-minute performance on the MSC Divina’s Pool Deck stage.

The core band for the Yacht Rock set featured Lebo, vocalists Sammi Garett (Cool Cool Cool) and Josh Schwartz (Cool Cool Cool), bassist Dan Kelly (Neighbor), percussionist Mike Dillon, drummer Michelangelo Carubba (Cool Cool Cool) and keyboardist Joel Cummins (Umphrey’s McGee). Others who contributed included Dave Watts (The Motet), The Horn Section (Cool Cool Cool), Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), Sam Lucid (Dogs In A Pile), Ryan Stasik (Umphrey’s McGee), Nigel Hall (Lettuce), the Fruition Trio, Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Shira Elias and Karl Denson (KDTU/Rolling Stones).

Fruition’s Mimi Naja emerged with pina colada in hand to lead the ensemble through Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” to open before Hartswick swapped in for The Doobie Brothers classic “What A Fool Believes.” Next, Cummins — sporting a gold Captain’s Hat — helmed Steely Dan’s “Hey 19.” Then, Lebo fronted the group he assembled on “Somebody’s Baby,” a song Jackson Browne wrote for the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack.

A special moment came next when Sammi Garett sang Olivia Newton John’s “Magic,” as her vocals fit the song like a glove. Lebo revealed he knew the song was perfect for Sammi as he put together the set. Ivan Neville then emerged along with Nigel Hall for the pairing of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” and Boz Scaggs’ “Low Down.” Both featured The Horn Section who also contributed to covers of Level 42’s “Something About You” and Looking Glass’ “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl).” The latter was sung passionately and expertly by Fruition’s Kellen Asebroek. Both Naja and fellow bandmate Jay Cobb Anderson provided harmony vocals.

Another highlight at a set filled with them followed as Shira Elias took on lead vocals, Ryan Stasik held down the bottom end and Dave Watts played drums for Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’.” The Horn Section then came back for a mesmerizing rendition of Toto’s 1982 smash “Rosanna” sung by Lebo and Sammi Garett. Carubba laid down a drum solo to connect “Rosanna” with the set-closing “Kiss Is On My List.” Josh Schwartz had a turn in the vocal spotlight for Hall & Oates’ chart-topper from 1980. There’s so many songs from the Yacht Rock era ripe for future performances. Here’s hoping the set turns into an annual tradition.