In just a few short weeks Phish will take the MSG stage for their traditional four-night New Year’s Run in New York City. NYC promoter CEG Presents has a full slate of late night after parties set to take place at a variety of venues from the 28th to the 30th for your post-show entertainment.

The shows feature a bevy of HT faves such as New Orleans’ Rebirth Brass Band at the Gramercy Theatre on the 29th, one-man-band Zach Deputy at the Gramercy Theatre on the 30th, avant-groove pianist Marco Benevento and Grateful Dead cover band Dead Sessions at the Highline Ballroom on the 28th and 30th respectively as well as a “multi-room club experience” featuring Wyllys and the New York Hustler Ensemble, Heavy Pets and Kung Fu at Rebel on the 30th.

Tickets to these shows and more, including Consider The Source at Rebel on the 27th, are available through PhishAfterParties.com. You can also try your luck at Glide Magazine’s giveaway.

Here’s a full list of CEG’s Phish After-Parties…

READ ON

Everyone we talked to who attended Jungle Jam in Costa Rica earlier this year raved about the experience, so we’re happy to see organizers are bringing the event back in 2013 with nearly the same lineup. From January 17th – 20th, Max Creek, BK3 (Bill Kreutzmann, Scott Murawski and Oteil Burbridge), Zach Deputy and the Ryan Montbleau Band will take over Doce Lunas Resort in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica for “four magical nights.”

Unlike many destination musical events, the organizers focus on more than just the music. During the day attendees will have many options of adventures to enjoy such as flying across zip lines in the rain forest, boat cruises to see crocodiles, surfing lessons, day trips to Manuel Antonio National Park and much more. Here’s a clip from last year’s event…

Head over to the Jungle Jam website for complete travel packages.

The Bowlive III run at Brooklyn Bowl continued on Tuesday and Wednesday nights with performances that were half Soulive, half Lettuce as each group, who share members, took the reigns for a set a piece. At last night’s show, during Soulive’s set, special guest Zach Deputy dueled it out with Eric Krasno on a sizzling cover of The Thrill Is Gone that Marc Millman captured on video…

Soulive w/ Eric Krasno – The Thrill Is Gone

Millman also shared a clip from last night’s second set of Nigel Hall leading Lettuce, Skerik and Kofi Burbridge on a cover of Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield to close set two…

Lettuce w/ Skerik & Kofi Burbridge – Move On Up

Our friend Karen Dugan has done a fantastic job reporting on each night for Royal Family Records’ blog. For those who can’t attend, you can watch the action from the last three nights of the residency unfold live via iClips.

• Bowlive III: Night One Photos and Videos, Night Two Photos, Night Three Photos, Night Four Photos and Videos and Soulive In Your Hedgerow – Night Five,

Day Three of Jam Cruise 9 continued the trend of sit-ins at nearly every set during a full night of music that followed our stop in Roatan, Honduras. Those cruisers who wanted to sleep took full advantage during the stop at port, while plenty of adventurous types partook in all sorts of excursions on the tiny island.

Once 5:30PM hit, everyone returned to the boat and Easy Star All-Stars kicked off the action on the Pool Deck. The band mixed Beatles songs with Pink Floyd songs with a few of their originals mixed in for good measure. A break for dinner followed, though a Moog Workshop headed by Bob Moog’s grand-daughter featuring Scott Metzger, Nigel Hall, Robert Walter and a few more musicians took place in the Disco.

Last night’s “atrium piano set” was led by Zach Gill of ALO and Jack Johnson’s band. Zach took requests throughout and performed a ridiculously fun mix of covers including Billy Joel’s My Life, Warren Zevon’s Lawyers, Guns and Money, Elton John’s Bennie and the Jets and I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues and Beatles medley that featured A Little Help From My Friends and Hey Jude. When Gill couldn’t remember the lyrics to Hotel California, Jam Cruise attendee JRapp stepped in and helped Gill with the words. These solo piano sets continue to be a highlight of the cruises.

Jerry Joseph, Dave Schools and Stockholm Syndrome had the plumb, prime-time spot on the Pool Deck and blasted through a few hours of heavy rock. Karl D. made his first of many sit-ins during the Stockholm set, which also featured a tribute to Vic Chesnutt in the form of Vic’s original Whoa Death. Joseph seemed to fully embrace the Jam Cruise experience this time around after he wrote a cynical song about his last trip on the boat.

READ ON for more of the recap from Jam Cruise Day 3.

While the first day of Jam Cruise was fun and featured some terrific music, Day Two took things to a whole new level. No matter where you looked, artists were jamming with each other in configurations that you’d never expect. The day was relentless as the MSC Poesia was motoring down to Roatan, Honduras.

Chicago’s Cornmeal kicked things off on the Pool Deck just before noon to a surprisingly large crowd. Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee provided the first sit-in of the day by joining Cornmeal for a segment that included a cover of Elton John’s Bennie and the Jets that the ensemble nailed on every level. There was even a tease of Terrapin thrown in for good measure.

[Photo by Dave Vann]

If anyone read my Jam Cruise Journals from last year, you’ll probably recall how much I enjoyed Brock Butler’s performances. Brock was all over the place yesterday starting with a solo set on the smaller Solar Stage which featured a dream setlist that started with a cover of LCD Soundsystem’s All My Friends followed by the PGroove classic It Starts Where It Ends and Tom Petty’s Wildflowers. Under sunny skies and in 80 degree weather, Butler also treated cruisers to a Phosphorescent cover and his own The Weather and the Wait as well as Paul Simon’s Diamonds on the Soles of Shoes. The PGroove front man even showed off his freestyle skills during DMX’s Crime Stories.

READ ON for much more from day two of Jam Cruise

Editor-in-chief Scott Bernstein will recap some of his experiences on Jam Cruise 9 in journal form for Hidden Track this week as the MSC Poesia sails around the Caribbean packed to the gills with bands from around the scene and the fans who love them.

There’s a feeling of joy that overtakes you as you step off the gangplank and onto Jam Cruise that is unlike any feeling I’ve felt before – except of course last year when I stepped onto the same boat for my first Jam Cruise. Everyone boarding the MSC Poesia is ready for the time of their life and that energy is pervasive.

Attendees boarded the boat between noon and 4PM and the music didn’t start until 7PM giving fans ample time to get settled and reunite with friends both old and new. Hugs and smiles were found everywhere you looked. For me, I met so many amazing music fans last year and friendships were renewed yesterday after a year apart for plenty of those relationships.

NYC’s winter started early this year, so the warm weather was certainly appreciated and I used the hours between 3 and 6 to soak up the sun. After a quick dinner, it was off to the Pool Deck for the “Sail Away Party.” Big Sam’s Funky Nation got the plumb gig this year of kicking off the action and they were a fine choice for the role.

READ ON for more of Scotty’s thoughts on Day One of JC9…

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…

When you see a perfomer give their heart and soul for a crowd, it’s easy to form a personal attachment to someone you’ve never met before. Last February, I felt a real connection with Zach Deputy after he opened my eyes and ears to his music with a heartfelt performance opening for the Ryan Montbleau Band at New York City’s Sullivan Hall. So, I was saddened to learn that Zach’s tour truck with all his gear and equipment was stolen from outside of a La Quinta motel in Paramus, NJ on Friday night. Terrible.

Zach was on his way to Woodstock, NY to play a show and had nearly all of his possessions in the truck, as tends to happen when you spend 300 days on the road playing 250 shows per year. Always a trooper and a professional, Zach actually took the stage on Saturday night with a borrowed guitar and sound system. The total loss – including the truck – is over $85,000 and it looks like nothing will be covered by insurance. Yikes!

Deputy aims not to cancel any upcoming shows, but he needs the support of anyone who wants to help a shining light in our community. Here’s what his righteously named Deputies suggest you do to help Zach…

1. A simple PayPal donation, because we love you. [Try linking from Zach's Save The Tour page if that PayPal link doesn't work]

2. Buy a copy of Out Of The Water ($11.99) and make the world a brighter place.

3. Buy multiple copies of Out Of The Water for friends and family, because you love them. And we love you, so we love them.
- 5 copies for $50
- 10 copies for $80

4. Join the Sheriffs’ Department and be the coolest kid on the block. [link]

5. Buy a ticket to an upcoming show and come enjoy yourself! Bring your friends. Tell people who may care what happened and spread the word!

Zach kicks off his latest Northeast tour on March 26 in Portland with this run bringing him to Burlington, Cambridge, Syracuse, Philadelphia, New York City, Albany, Utica and Northampton before heading out towards the Midwest and Southeast. Help Zach get back on his feet, so he can continue to bring happiness and joy to his audiences.

Home by Zach Deputy