Photo Credit: Jason Myers

On Sunday, Feb. 16, Jam Cruise continued its third day of music-filled fun. In contrast to Saturday’s Day at Sea schedule, on Sunday, the floating festival was port-side in Cozumel, Mexico, enabling Jam Cruisers to hop off the ship and get a taste of the island life before music resumed with the Sail Away set on the Pool Deck. Dragon Smoke brought the people together, given the amalgamated funk-fueled force that is Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Eric Lindell and Robert Mercurio. 

The ensemble brought the spirit of Jazz Fest to the forefront with added help from fellow Crescent City players: Mike Dillon, George Porter, Donald Harrison, Alex Wasily and others, who assisted the combo with their brew of funk, soul, and R&B, fixed to deep grooves and their signature high-flying energy.

Later, crossover members returned to the stage for an old-school dose of Galactic, featuring the ever-commanding vocal powerhouse, Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph. The band swap continued with Neville’s arrival on The Pointer Sisters’ “Yes We Can Can.” 

In between Dragon Smoke and Galactic, Summer Zen, featuring Steve Kimock, Porter Jr., Robert Walter, Lebo, and John Morgan Kimock, nodded to their personal paths and influences. First formed in 2021 during the Summerzend benefit concert, Saturday’s set saw the ensemble’s return. 

The supergroup paired “Scarlet Begonias” with The Meters’ “Fire on the Bayou” before bringing out kindred voices Shira Elias, Sammi Garett, and saxophonist Harrison for a uniting take on “Brothers and Sisters,” fixed to the saged reminder: “Through this world of trouble/ We gotta love one another.” 

Harrison bowed off the stage, leaving Elias and Garett the task of reprising their Cool Cool Cool roots with Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew via their Remain in Light project on a fast tempo and absolutely jammed out take on Talking Heads’ “Slippery People.” 

To follow, Porter took the lead on the Grateful Dead’s “Eyes of the World,” adding dimension to the lyrics and a fat bass solo atop the beloved Wake of the Flood pull. The group also saluted Steve Kimock’s material before the added twang of Johnny Cash’s original, Dead covered/spirited “Big River.” 

Sweet Lillies took full advantage of Jam Cruise’s collaborative spirit, teaming up with Porter Jr., Allie Kral, Chali 2na, Garett, and others. Their performance was a testament to the festival’s ability to blend genres and showcase the artists’ versatility and experimental prowess. 

In the Pantheon Theater, a tribute to Prince and David Bowie’s music stirred up a hair-raising delivery of “Space Oddity.” The boat’s movement evoked Major Tom’s comparison to floating in a tin can. The band pushed the classic composition further, offering an eruptive percussive display on the outro and ripped and roared until Bowie’s original was seemingly a long-forgotten dream.

The early hours of the morning continued to pulse with funk on the Pool Deck, courtesy of the six-piece Grammy-nominated collective Lettuce. Simultaneously, the Pantheon Theater was alive with the dynamic energy of Thievery Corporation. 

Looking ahead, Monday, Feb. 17, promises to be another exciting day, with a port stop in Belize City and more music to come, including the highly anticipated Jam Cruise debut of LP Giobbi. Stay tuned for more updates! 

View today’s schedule here.

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