Jam Cruise 9 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale on January 4th filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today, we present another Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to rock the MSC Poesia between January 4 & 9. This installment of JC Files features DJ – and HT contributor – Wade “Wyllys” Wilby who worked in production and as an LD on three previous cruises before he was welcomed back as an artist this time around for Jam Cruise 9.

[Photo by Michael Kommesar]

Name / Jam Cruise 9 Gig: Wade “Wyllys” Wilby / DJ
Bands: New York Hustler Ensemble, AMBIENt
Past Jam Cruise Experience: Light Designer (JC4, JC5, JC6)
2010: Toured the Midwest, opened for members of Umphrey’s & The Egg and is set to embark on a tour of the Southeast with Perpetual Groove

Hidden Track: On a past Jam Cruise you worked on the production end of things, is it as hard to load equipment onto a boat as it seems?

Wyllys: It sure is. The Florida wind is your main enemy because everything comes over the side of the boat via crane. I believe “huge ass crane” is the technical term. The backline (rented musical equipment), sound and lighting come over in boxes that the crane sends over the side of the boat and us monkeys below have to stabilize the crate, bring it to landing, unload and repeat ad nauseum. Those aren’t that bad.

The most terrifying thing to come over the side of the boat is the main stage for the pool deck, which is the trailer portion of a tractor trailer. One of those blowing around in the florida wind can cause you to really re-think your career choice. We then move all the gear to their respective places inside the boat, literally building some “venues” where no venue existed before in some cases. Very challenging to say the least.

READ ON for more of our chat with Wyllys…

With Jam Cruise 9 set to depart from Ft. Lauderdale on January 4th filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them, it’s time for another edition of Jam Cruise Files. Back in January, one-man band Zach Deputy made quite an impression on Jam Cruise 8 attendees – not only during his own sets, but also from his multiple sit-ins and ample time spent on stage in the Jam Room. In fact, Zach won the well deserved honor of the “Up All Night” trophy at the awards ceremony on the last day of the trip.

There wasn’t much doubt Deputy would be invited back for Jam Cruise 9 and that’s exactly what happened. We spoke to Zach for today’s installment of Jam Cruise Files…

Hidden Track: What were some of your favorite moments from last year’s voyage?

Zach Deputy: Playing in the jam room until 7 or 8 in the morning on the second night, and playing in the basketball tournament wearing a skirt.

HT: Honestly, how much sleep did you get during last year’s trip?

ZD: I don’t really know. I basically just took naps. But I was up probably until 10 every morning. I slept through Jamaica. I guess you could say I like the music better than I like Jamaica.

HT: Are there any artists on this year’s cruise that you are especially looking forward to interacting with?

ZD: Hold on, let me look at the line up real quick (lol). Wow. There’s so many people I can’t wait to hang out with and see again. Karl Denson, Robert Walter, Ivan Neville, Adam Deitch, all the guys from The New Mastersounds and Lettuce and Maceo Parker. You know, all the funk and soul cats.

• Jam Cruise Files 2010: Stanton Moore, Joel Cummins, Julie McCoy

READ ON for more of Jam Cruise Files: Zach Deputy…

Jam Cruise 9 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale on January 4th filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today, we present another Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to rock the MSC Poesia between January 4 & 9. This installment of JC Files features a musician who has played on every Jam Cruise to date – drummer Stanton Moore who will perform with Galactic, Garage A Trois and Anders Osborne over the course of this year’s trip.

Name / Jam Cruise 9 Gig: Stanton Moore / Set to perform with Garage A Trois, Galactic and backing Anders Osborne with Robert Walter
Bands: Galactic, Garage A Trois, Stanton Moore Trio
Past Jam Cruise Experience: Galactic (JC1, JC2, JC3, JC4, JC5, JC6, JC7, JC8), Garage A Benevento (JC5), Stanton Moore Trio (JC5), Moore/Walter Duo (JC6), Garage A Trois (JC7),
2010: Released Groove Alchemy, a 12-track set that is the culmination of Moore’s multimedia project which also includes an instructional book and DVD of the same name. Also, Galactic released Ya-Ka-May back in February. He’s also toured extensively with Galactic, backing Anders Osborne and even had time for some GAT dates.

Hidden Track: Can you tell us about your experience on the first Jam Cruise?

Stanton Moore: It was great. No one knew what to expect. It was a new and different experience for the bands and the fans. Tons of fun!

READ ON for more of our quick chat with Stanton Moore…

Our Jam Cruise Files column continues today as we chat with recent Jam Cruise 9 addition Joel Cummins. Joel has either been on or been at the dock for every single Jam Cruise. The Umphrey’s McGee keyboardist will treat Jam Cruise 9 attendees to a set of UM music arranged for solo piano.

Joel Plays Orfeo in Downtown Denver

Hidden Track: You’ve seen the growth of Jam Cruise from a small boat for the first trip to last year’s cruise on the massive Poesia. Do you feel the sense of intimacy and community has been compromised at all?

Joel Cummins: The intimacy of the experience is still definitely there. Here’s the thing, when you have four or five different stages and you only have 2,500 fans attending, you figure at the most there are 2,000 people out watching music, maybe 1,000 people at the main stage and 750 in the theatre at peak times? That’s like watching a show at a small venue. And the trade off for having real production on the stages is where its at.

I loved the smaller boats, but we couldn’t have a real stage, a real PA or a real light show on any of those boats. The fans are getting a much better experience all the way around and I still have no problem seeing and finding my friends. Plus, I think about 50% of the boat now has balconies, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

• Jam Cruise Files 2010: Julie McCoy

READ ON for more from Joel on Jam Cruise past and future…

Last year we started a recurring feature on HT called Jam Cruise Files, where we asked artists a number of questions about their Jam Cruise experiences. Jam Cruise 9, on the MSC Poesia, sets sail from Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 4th – a little more than six months away, with a power-packed lineup that includes Bob Weir’s Scaring The Children, God Street Wine, Galactic & the Rhythm Devils. We kick off the second year of Jam Cruise Files columns by talking with Cruise Director Annabel Lukins – aka Julie McCoy.

Hidden Track: What were a few of your highlights from Jam Cruise 8?

Julie McCoy: Two words: Nigel Hall. During the Fantastic 4 set on the pool deck, which was one of my most anticipated shows since we booked them, Nigel came on stage for Love Having You Around where he proceeded to yell to the crowd, “Where’s Annabel at, I want to sing this to her?” I humbly made my way to his side, and he serenaded me while I danced effortlessly next to him. The smile on my face was permanent, tears flowed from my face, and I felt such deep love and affection from my dear friend. It was truly a magical and humbling moment in my life, let alone my absolute Jam Cruise 8 highlight.

[Photo by Jeffrey Dupuis]

A few others worth mentioning:

Sexual Chocolate, Karl Denson’s brainchild…I was once again called up to sing in the final song with the supergroup, swaying back and forth next to Liza Oxnard and others. I truly felt a part of musical history.

Pretty Lights – 4:00am – Pool Deck. I have never danced so hard on Jam Cruise late night than I did during Pretty Lights. The entire pool deck was packed and everyone was grooving constantly to the ridiculously talented duo. READ ON for more of Jam Cruise Files with Julie McCoy…

Jam Cruise 8 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale on January 3rd filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today, we’ve got our fourth Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to perform on the MSC Poesia between January 3 & 8. This installment of JC Files features bassist George Porter Jr. who will front a SuperJam on JC8.

Name / Jam Cruise 8 Gig: George Porter Jr. / Host of George Porter Jr. Super Jam [Thursday, January 7 - Pool Deck 5:45PM]
Bands: George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners, The Funky Meters, The Meters, PBS
Past Jam Cruise Experience: Guest Artist (JC5), The Funky Meters (JC6), PBS (JC7)
2009: Tours with PBS & John Scofield and The Piety Street Band,

Hidden Track: Can you tell us a little bit about your experience on your first Jam Cruise?

George Porter Jr.: All I can remember was that I played a lot, music that is. My wife and I had a great time and I knew I was coming back the next year…we paid for our room before we got off the ship!

Hidden Track: What was your favorite Jam Cruise moment?

George Porter Jr.: The Jam Room – I was there all the time. There were some great moments in there, sorry they were not recorded, so you had to be there because it all just went away.

READ ON for the rest of Jam Cruise Files – George Porter Jr. …

Jam Cruise 8 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale on January 3rd filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today, we’ve got our third Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to perform on the MSC Poesia between January 3 & 8. This installment of Jam Cruise Files features singer/guitarist/Jam Cruise Veteran Brock Butler.

Brock Butler Plays Graceland on Jam Cruise 5

Name / JC8 Gig: Brock Butler / Solo Performer
Band: Perpetual Groove
Past Jam Cruise Experience: Perpetual Groove (JC3, JC5, JC6) Solo (JC7)
2009: Solo Album – Lately Here Though, PGroove Album – Heal

Hidden Track: How much has Jam Cruise changed from your first cruise to last year’s cruise?

Brock Butler: The first year we played Jam Cruise, there was a vibe similar to going to camp–the coolest camp ever mind you. I remember not knowing a good deal of the faces I was seeing, I had been on a cruise before, so seeing the ship was fun , but watching my comrades enjoy the size and treats of our vessel was about as much fun too.

Cut to the end of the trip – you have jammed with musicians you never thought you might jam with, played blackjack with Ivan Neville and leave torn up at the realization you wont be seeing your new friends on a daily basis. After a few trips back on board, it’s just as much fun. The vibe now being more a reunion than a group of strangers, you can spot the virgins. Look on the schedule to see who you want to say hello to, if they might be up to letting you sit in again, hell, would they like to sit in with you? Any year I’m unable to go would be a heart breaker. I think that sums that up.

READ ON for more of our Jam Cruise Files on Brock Butler…

In less than two months Jam Cruise 8 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today, we’ve got our second Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to perform on the MSC Poesia between January 3 & 8. This installment of Jam Cruise Files focuses on Karl Denson.

Name: Karl Denson – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Sexual Chocolate
Bands: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Karl Denson Trio, Greyboy Allstars, Sexual Chocolate, Tresexual Chocolate
Past JC Experience: KDTU (JC1, JC2, JC3, JC4, JC7), Greyboy Allstars (JC5), Special Guest (JC6)
2009: KDTU released Brother’s Keeper

Scott Bernstein: How much has Jam Cruise changed from your first cruise to last year’s cruise?

Karl Denson: Not that much. The jam room has changed the most. It’s gotten wilder and later every year.

READ ON for more from Karl Denson on Jam Cruise…

In less than three months Jam Cruise 8 will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale filled to the brim with amazing artists and the band fans who love them. Today kicks off our bi-weekly Jam Cruise Files column which profiles a band or musician scheduled to perform on the MSC Poesia between January 3 & 8. Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee is the subject of our first Jam Cruise Files.

[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]

Name: Joel Cummins – OHMphrey
Bands: Umphrey’s McGee, OHMphrey, North Indiana Allstars, Kick The McGee
Past JC Experience: 5 – JC1 (UM), JC3 (UM), JC4 (UM), JC5 (UM), JC7 (Yacht Rock)
2009: Umphrey’s released Mantis, OHMphrey released self-titled debut

Scott Bernstein: How much has JamCruise changed from your first cruise to last year’s cruise?

Joel Cummins: Anyone who was there the first year in 2004 remembers that wreck of a ship we were on. It was like a modern day old ironsides, just barely managing to still float. I know I almost took out the FOH console one night when the relatively small ship was getting tossed back and forth in the Caribbean. With the larger boat now, it’s generally a little more tolerable. I loved when it got to the point that we could build a real stage and production for the main stage. I think that makes the outdoor performance area hard to beat. Honestly though, there is a lot about JamCruise that is the same in that everyone is there to get down, have a great time and see some beautiful islands in the Caribbean during the coldest part of the year in the U.S. It’s a great feeling setting sail from Ft. Lauderdale and knowing that you’ve got five days of sunshine in your future.

READ ON for more of Scotty’s chat with Joel Cummins…