Images by: Chad Smith and Dave Vann
Mayan Holidaze :: 01.26.12-01.30.12 :: Now Sapphire :: Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Last week, Umphrey’s McGee, The Disco Biscuits, Sound Tribe Sector 9 and a handful of other choice young artists gathered in the Mexican Riviera for the 2012 edition of Mayan Holidaze. As the old expression goes, a picture tells a thousand words, so youll find thousands upon thousands of words below with Dave Vanns gallery (with some shots from Max Blackman) and Chad Smiths gallery follows here!.
1/26/12 – 1/29/12 – Mayan Holidaze @ Now Sapphire Resort (Puerto Morelos, MX) View Photos
Continue reading for Chad Smiths gallery from Mayan Holidaze 2012…
1/26/12 – 1/29/12 Mayan Holidaze @ Now Sapphire Resort (Puerto Morelos, MX) View Photos
JamBase | Down Mexico Way
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Tags: bands, black, find-thousands, gallery-follows, holidaze, Jambands, live music, mayan, read, smith, sound-tribe, view, words
January 25, 2012 in 09, 10, 11, 12, 17, 2, 25, 29, 3, 30, 31, 9, a, after, Again, age, Alive, all, Also, am, an, and, another, Are, around, as, at, Bad, ban, band, bands, big, blue, blues, book, Boys, bud, Burn, but, by, ca, can, cat, Chronic, color, Colors, community, Day, Day., does, down, Edit, en, end, Enjoy, Eve, fee, fi, FOR, four, Free, friday, From, Funk, gag, gain, game, Genre, get, gin, glow, Good, great, Groove, Guitar, Gus, hall, hammond, hi, high, home, How, ice, in, inspired, into, is, IT, IX, jam, jamaica, jamband, Jambands, Joy, King, know, las, Last, late, Led, Lee, life, light, lights, Like, live, live music, lot, love, MA, machine, Made, metal, MI, miles, mix, mod, monday, mouth, Much, Music, My, name, Nat, nc, New, new york, News, night, NJ, no, nothing, NV, ny, of, on, one, op, Open, opening, out, PA, page, Part, photos, Piano, picking, play, player, Pot, pro, Pt, Rabbit, rad, rage, rant, read, recording, Road, rock, roll, rolling, room, row, rs, run, San Francisco, Say, SC, sci, set, show, So, solo, solos, song, Soul, St, Stab, stage, state, stick, story, style, super, sweep, tab, talk, Talking, That, the, Thursday, to, Too, tries, tuesday, two, uic, us, va, van, view, WA, war, Way, ways, we, Web, Wednesday, Ween, with, words, years, york, You |
Words by: Dennis Cook | Images by: Chad Smith and Brad Hodge
Jam Cruise 10 :: 01.09.12-01.13.12 :: MSC Poesia :: Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Labadee, Haiti/Falmouth, Jamaica
Its a pretty big understatement to say theres nothing quite like Jam Cruise, and the 2012 edition only cemented this impression in major ways. Beyond the mix of talent aboard simply one of the best assemblages of pure players out there once again there are myriad ephemeral elements that grow stronger and more pervasive each year. The community that gathers for the five days aboard the ship is becoming less temporary, infiltrating one anothers lives throughout the year, scheming and dreaming together, puzzling over how to make the next Jam Cruise even bolder, delightfully weirder and just plain MORE. Everywhere one wandered on the MSC Poesia this year signs of this oddly interwoven dynamic were apparent gaggles of matching costumes, cryptic but charming door decorations, the nigh endless outbursts of hail n good cheer that make progress from Point A to Point B a slow but happy crawl. And with a blast of volume and bright colors, great music awaited one at every turn, too, sweeping in from New Orleans, San Francisco, New York and many other hubs, combining in new ways and delivered with undisguised vigor – alive, fragrant, amazing.
You can pull out more of the specifics of this years voyage in our day-by-day entries (linked below), and weve also included our picks for MVPs on Jam Cruise 10. In many ways, the tale of this annual celebration of life and creativity is captured in the many, many grinning, utterly awake and engaged moments ensnared by our photographers Chad and Brad this year. Take a look and see if you dont immediately want to pre-book a cabin for Jam Cruise 11. We know we wouldnt miss it for the world!
Jam Cruise 10 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) View Photos
Continue reading for Brad Hodges photo gallery and our MVP picks…
Jam Cruise 10 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) View Photos
Jam Cruise 10 MVPs
1. Ivan Neville
The moment that cemented Ivans top position this year was when he glided in behind the Hammond B-3 next to Umphreys McGees Joel Cummins during The Everyone Orchestra set. Whether this was planned or not, the look in Nevilles eyes said he NEEDED to get his fingers into what they were cookin so Cummins better move over! Ivan proceeded to inject interesting accents and concise, tasty solos that made him standout even in that field of standouts. Each time Ivan hit the stage this year he brought an enthusiasm and openness that inspired his fellow musicians and revealed new dimensions to his capabilities, particularly as a singer no one who witnessed his ragged-but-right Wild Horses with KDTU is gonna forget it. The high point of these new revelations was his stirring piano set in the atrium on Thursday night, where he displayed a sensitivity and wide open ear that exploded the myth of this cat being just a funk machine. It was a brave, fascinating ride with Neville this year, and hes to be admired for opening himself up when it would be much easier to stick to what hes known for.
2. Roosevelt Collier of The Lee Boys
The steel guitar champion jumped on the boat last minute and ended up playing in more sets than almost anyone else. His range was breathtaking, jumping seamlessly from soulful picking with Karl Denson to blues fury in the Jam Room to modern rock with Perpetual Groove, hitting on many points between and many outwards, too, in his iron man showing this year. His singing was also a delight, but it was his willingness to go ANYWHERE the music demanded that makes him so worthy of special mention. Such a fun, fearless musician!
3. Jessica Lurie
Lurie may not have the same level of name recognition as some on the boat, but shes got all the ridiculous chops, dexterity and pure instinct one could want from a free-floating Artist-at-Large. Not every sit-in worked but hers always did. In each and every instance this saxophonist went toe-to-toe with whoever was around and always came out the other side more than holding her own, and better still, coaxing great stuff from her compatriots each time out.
4. Zach Deputy
While his solo sets were engaging, extremely enjoyable affairs, they only told a fraction of the story of Deputys relentless work ethic on Jam Cruise 10. Whenever the Jam Room would slow to a crawl, it was Zach who hopped up and kept things rolling, pulling a few more notes from his tired compatriots. His voice is a bit of a marvel Motown would have snagged this boy in a heartbeat in their 60s/70s heyday. At the root of his work this week was a glee about his craft that made him game to try anything, content to not always soar but flapping his arms wildly in his best effort just the same. Bravo.
5. Nigel Hall
The man I call Superstar showed his metal as a support player during this cruise. While totally comfortable and deserving of spotlights, Hall seemed to appear like magic to elevate sets for a few moments a harmony here, a bit of ivory magic there and then vanish just as swiftly. He did a lot to bring out the best in his buddies, and never seemed to anxious to hog any glory for himself. The ability to make others better, to make sure they glow a bit more, is a real talent, and just one of MANY that Nigel possesses. Cant wait for his solo debut, which he begins recording soon!
6. Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth
Each guest turn from Carbone made the music better. He hears things in others work that hes able to articulate on his violin in a way that opens up songs for the artists who created them. His overflowing gusto to get involved poured out in a really enriching way both in Railroads fine sets and in his often wind-tossed-just-arrived sit-ins, especially his run from RREs pool deck set to the Everyone Orchestra, where Matt Butler quickly sent the others following Carbone down whatever rabbit hole he chose. Good plan of action – Carbone doesnt steer one wrong.
7. Brock Butler
Both Perpetual Groove sets showed a band ready to evolve into a true 21st century act, and he could have rested on that accomplishment very easily. Instead, Brock continued his role of recent years as a living Value Added to Jam Cruise, holding intimate court at sunrise song circles, talking freely with strangers, and generally making himself a positive for the experience in whatever way he could. Hes got an encyclopedic knowledge of music paired with an even-handed love of different styles/genres thats unique. Add in a voice that grows richer and more interesting with each year and a curiosity about juxtaposing elements others wouldnt even consider putting together and youve got an artist who has rich with positives and no real negatives to speak of.
8. Nathan Moore
After just two cruises, Moore has become a fixture for part of the gathered tribe, a troubadour enabler who lifts us with a good tune – an “us” that includes his fellow musicians. We detailed some of the charms of “The Spot” he’s established on deck outside the Jam Room, but it’s worth saying that for a journey that takes one far from their home, Nathan gave us a safe spot to tag whenever one was at a loss for what to do in the night. Smiles and songs awaited one in his homemade nest, and while there were surprises aplenty, there was also comfort, acceptance and encouragement, and Moore was the glimmering locus, singing another one or just abiding Dude-like.
Best Facial Expressions While Playing: Robert Walter
New Discovery of Jam Cruise 10: Sue Orfield
Jam Cruise 10 Chronicles
Prelude
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
JamBase | Seaworthy
Go See Live Music!
Tags: bad, jamaica, Jambands, mix, monday, Music, pro, recording, Stab, stick
August 10, 2011 in 06, 11, 2, 2011, 27, 27th, 30, 31, 7th, a, age, all, Also, am, an, and, another, Are, around, as, at, August, ban, band, bands, Bass, blue, Bluegrass, Burn, but, ca, center, chicago, City, classic, concert, cream, Day, dead, deer, en, end, eq, Eve, FEAT, fee, festival, fi, First, FOR, friday, From, get, Gf, gin, Good, grateful, great, grounds, Guitar, Gus, hampton, hi, high, in, is, IT, jam, jamband, Jimmy, John, key, Keyboard, las, Last, Led, light, live, live concert, lot, love, MA, MI, Mr, Music, My, name, nc, News, NH, night, NJ, no, ny, of, on, one, op, organ, out, PA, Park, Phish, Pop, Pot, pro, rad, Road, rock, row, rs, saturday, SC, second, set, So, SPAC, spring, St, stage, tab, That, the, times, to, tour, Trip, two, us, va, war, we, with, years, You, Your |
DEAD-Y GOOD TIMES IN ILLINOIS
 Tom Constanten |
On August 26 and 27th, 2011 the Field Trip Festival at Vasa Park in South Elgin, IL will be highlighted by the first ever live concert performance of both Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten and JGB organist Melvin Seals. The two will perform on August 27th headlining the festival with Chicago’s Terrapin Flyer. Both keyboardists are looking forward to the opportunity of performing with each other and have great respect for one another. It should make for a potent combination as the two will be leaving their comfort zones by performing both JGB and Grateful Dead classics during the 3 hour set.
Both Constanten and Seals have performed for the past 6 years with Terrapin Flyer for regional tours, but this will be the first billed performance of both together in any capacity. In addition to Seals and TC, the performance on the 27th will also feature the bassist of the current incarnation of the JGB Jimmy Tebeau and one time Cornmeal guitarist Erik Smith.
The festival occurs on and gets its namesake from the 39th anniversary of the legendary Springfield Creamery benefit on Ken Kesey’s farm that the Grateful Dead performed at in 1972. It is in its second year and last year reunited Dose Hermanos (Tom Constanten & Bob Bralove) for their first performance in many years. The event was well attended last year, but is not your typical macro-fest. The event grounds have a capacity of 1500, so it is an intimate gathering that includes overnight camping on Friday and Saturday nights for the $45 presale tickets.
The event will also include performances by the popular Chicago based band Mr. Blotto, who recorded a CD with Grateful Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow. Supporting the headliners are the nationally touring bluegrass band the Henhouse Prowlers, who won first place in the RockyGrass band competition in Colorado, and Wisconsin jambandeers Cosmic Railroad. Also, included in the fest are a number of other diversely influenced bands from around the region performing on two stages.
Tags: fee, gin, jam, jam bands, John, light, lot, organ, Pot, pro