Jam Cruise Photos    I | II

Take over 25 music acts and put them out on the open seas with 1500 of the most die-hard fans and you have an event for the ages. The third edition of the Jam Cruise was truly one of the ultimate music festivals, a superb music experience in general. For four days in January, this fully chartered cruise boat offered a viewing and playing experience like no other. There was no barrier between musicians and fans, which created a remarkably positive time for all involved. Music filled the ship - beside the few hours docked in Freeport, Bahamas - from noon until 5am each day, often in as many as five venues simultaneously.  The bands on the boat ranged in style from bluegrass to rock to electronica to folk and these bands are referred to by their fairly non-descript genre - jambands. Jam Cruise 4 departs in January 2006 and the boat is already filling up. 

Words and Photos By Jon Bahr

Here is a look back at some of the sights from the Jam Cruise with a look at ASCAP members on the ship. Click on the artist's name to go to their website:

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe was aboard the ship bringing their funk-laden grooves and hook-filled songwriting. Denson, a fan favorite for his epic late-night concerts, was a member of Greyboy Allstars and also has toured and recorded with Lenny Kravitz. He even made a cameo in the movie Coming to America.

Jazz Mandolin Project featuring Jamie Masefield

Remarkably unique, Jazz Mandolin Project experiments with the very basis of what jazz is and incorporates Jamie Masefield's mandolin in ways that have rarely been attempted in the jazz realm.

Benevento/Russo Duo

Called 'The Duo' by their fans, these middle school classmates reunited in NYC in a few years ago and have built a large buzz through their ever-growing textured instrumental rock sound, which is massive for just two players.  The Benevento/Russo Duo is releasing their debut studio album, Best Reason to Buy the Sun, on Ropeadope Records in April 2005.

Umphrey's McGee

2004 solidified Umphrey's McGee's quick rise to the throne of the jam world and they show no signs of letting up. The band's tight melodic prog-rock compositions and improvisations were recently praised by Rolling Stone's 'Hot Issue' and the masses at Bonnaroo in addition to being featured on the hit series, Alias.

Robert Walter's 20th Congress

Making a name for himself playing organ in Greyboy Allstars, Robert Walter (left) was on the cruise with his organ funk trio that includes drummer Jason Smart (center), who is also a member of the stunning Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (Listen to their ASCAP Audio Portrait here), and saxophonist Cochemea Gastelum (right), who won the Jam Cruise All-Star Award.

Zilla

Aaron Holstein and Jamie Janover are two parts of the group Zilla, a remarkably unique band that plays 100% improvisations, which is astonishing considering how tight their spur-of-the-moment compositions sound. Everyone in the band is a multi-instrumentalist, Holstein mainly plays guitar while Janover focuses on Hammered Dulcimer.  Janover was 2003 National Hammered Dulcimer Champion.

Keller Williams

Multi-instrumentalist Keller Williams, leader of his own one-man band, oozes good vibes through his intricate, quirky songwriting and timely cover songs.  Williams recently released a double live album, Stage, and is working on his 2006 studio release that features a number of his musical heroes as well as a DVD that will be released in the Summer of 2005. Click here to read an interview with Keller Williams in ASCAP's Playback Magazine.



Jam Cruise Photos    I | II

ASCAP Playback



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