Editor’s note:

We asked John “Papa” Gros to share his notes from Jam Cruise 13, which set sail from January 6 through January 11 with a wide range of New Orleans musicians on board.

Gros was billed as a “special guest,” so his main job was sitting in with as many different musicians as he could.

With the opportunity to jam with everyone from Mike Dillon to George Porter, Jr., the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, Erica Falls, Dragon Smoke, the Nth Power, Galactic, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and many more, Gros had his work cut out for him.

All photos are courtesy of Gros’ Facebook page. Here’s his journal documenting a diverse group of New Orleans musicians at sea:

Day 1

First half of day was hurry up and wait boarding the boat. During the wait times I got to catch up with George Porter Jr., Col Bruce Hampton, Glenn Hartman, Rich Vogel, Robert Walters, Ivan Neville, and the Revivalists, which was great.

Once the music started, it became more fast paced. First sit in was with Grant Green Jr.’s Jazz Jam, which started with Grant, George Porter Jr., and Mike Clark, and ended with Karl Denson added to the mix.

Second sit in was with Dragon Smoke: Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell, Rob Mercurio, and Stanton Moore. We played a cool version of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”

At 3:30, I got to sit in with George Porter’s jam, which also featured Stanton Moore, Papa Mali, Oteil Burbridge, Ivan Neville, and Nigel Hall. We played “Sugaree” and “No More Okey Doke.”

Then it was time for bed.

Day 2

First up was a jam with The Revivalists. They have come a long way, and are taking the boat by storm. I got to play three of their tunes! It was a blast.

Before my next sit in I was able to listen to Snarky Puppy. Papa Grows Funk did some shows with them on the road, and they were guests of ours at the Maple Leaf. It’s easy to see why they earned a Grammy award last year. They are doing something that no one is doing. Pros to the core.

During the afternoon, I took part in an autograph session and got to sit next to and meet Boulder jazz singer, Kim Dawson.  She invited me to sit in on her Jazz Room set. I went down and played with the trumpet players from Snarky Puppy and the Motet plus the guitarist and bassist from Kung Fu. We did Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” and then I led them through a version of David Sanborn’s “Hey!” This was fun!!!

I thought I was done sitting in for the night, so I went to hear the Tribute to Jerry Garcia and then the end of the M&M’s set. Both were top notch, although very different in styles. On my way back to my room, I walk into the Jazz Room and lo and behold, 007 (Jonathan Freilich, Joe Cabral and Jeffrey Clements) were running through their playlist in their newly acquired un-announced jam room. With a simple twist of the arm and fate I joined in for the fun. I couldn’t stop laughing because it was such a beautifully perfect chance happening. After four or five songs, I went to bed with a smile on my face.

Day 3

Solo piano set with Mark Braud and Erica Falls sitting in with me. They were amazing.

Listened to Snarky Puppy, then I sat in with Galactic on Groovy Lady with George Porter Jr.

Stopped by John Scofield’s Jazz Jam and played an improvised groove with John Scofield, Porter, Corey Henry, the keyboardist and guitarist from Snarky Puppy, the trumpet player from The Motet, and Jeffrey Clement on drums. What a treat!

Off to see Pretty Lights and Brian Coogan. I had never seen anything like this. Got pulled up to play tambourine by Eric Bloom while The Preservation Hall Jazz Band was up.

Then Coogan threw me behind the B3 and I just fell into the groove. An unexplained sonic journey began and I became a fan of the DJ/Live Band scene.

Next on tap was a sit in with Robert Walter in the Jam Room. We played “Walk on Guilded Splinters” with Papa Mali singing, then Robert led us through a Herbie Hancock tune that I was not familiar with. Also playing were Mike Clark, Chris Stillwell, Karl Denson, and Eric Bloom. I’m tired and sleepy.

Day 4

Started the day off by jamming with The Revivalists on the Pool Stage before it got closed down due to high winds and seas. Ryan Montbleau asked me to play on a few songs during his solo performance at the Silent Auction. Tim from Kung Fu also was there and we had a great time playing some of Ryan’s originals. After Tim left for another performance, Ryan and I played through “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” and “Into the Mystic.” He is a gift wielder of words, but most importantly a new friend I met on the boat.

Next was Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Karl is the king of jam band funk, so it was an honor to be a part of his boogaloo slam jam. Wow!

Roosevelt Collier asked me to jam with some of the Motet guys. Way too much fun.

Day 5

Started the day off listening to David Shaw’s solo performance in the Atrium. David has the goods on all levels.

I then made it to Eric Krasno’s Super Jam and got to play with Krasno, George Porter Jr., Nikki Gillespie, Ivan Neville, and the London Souls. We played “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” “Down By the River,” and “Lucille.”  Tremendous grooves.

Then it was over to the Atrium to hear Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds. They asked me to play a slow blues with them. Wow! Were they on fire!

This was my favorite set of Jam Cruise. They sealed the deal when they closed with “Fat Bottom Girls” and everyone in the audience on all three floors was singing the chorus. This was a true Jam Cruise moment.

I was the able to take that energy to Kung Fu’s set in the Jam Room and got to play a Herbie Hancock song I didn’t know. That didn’t stop us as these are some top flight musicians who walked me through it.

It capped off an incredible five days of making friends and musicians and often both. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to  do it again next year.