Today marks the beginning of the second weekend of Jazz Fest and, in keeping with tradition, Jam Cruise has unveiled the lineup for its next voyage. Once again, the one-of-a-kind festival-on-a-boat has not disappointed.
The Original Meters. Photo by Jerry Moran.
The top-billed act for the 2017 journey will be none other than the Original Meters with Art Neville, George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste and Leo Nocentelli. The band reunited last weekend for a Jazz Fest after show at the Orpheum Theater, but Jam Cruise is currently their only scheduled appearance for the future. Last week’s show saw them augmented by keyboardist Ivan Neville, a horn section, and a number of special guests.
Other acts on the lineup include moe., Griz, Galactic, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Lettuce, Kamasi Washington, Benevento Russo Duo, The Revivalists, The Motet, Turkuaz and Beats Antique. New Orleans brass staples The Soul Rebels and recent OffBeat cover artists Earphunk are also on the bill, along with many others.
Of the aforementioned performers, the Benevento Russo Duo is particularly notable. The project–comprised of keyboardist Marco Benevento and drummer Joe Russo–will be playing its first show in eight years on Jam Cruise.
As has been the case in past years, the event will feature a number of special guest artists that will take the stage with other acts around the boat. Next year’s include former Meters vocalist Cyril Neville, as well as Steve Kimock, Steve Berlin, Mike Dillon, Skerik, Col. Bruce Hampton, Katelyn & Laurie of the Shook Twins and Roosevelt Collier.
As previously reported, Jam Cruise will set sail from Miami on January 20 before returning on January 25. Along the way, the ship will dock in Ochos Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island. After three years aboard the MSC Divina, the event will move over to a new boat, the Norwegian Pearl.
OffBeat’s Sam D’Arcangelo attended Jam Cruise earlier this year and, in his words, the event is a festival junkie’s dream. You can check out his recaps and Jeffrey Dupuis’ photos from Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5 of the party.
Pre-sale for returning cruisers will begin on Tuesday, May 3 at 12pm ET. Cabins will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 12 at 12pm ET.
Jam Cruise 15 Lineup:
The Original Meters
moe.
GRiZ
Galactic
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Benevento Russo Duo*
Lettuce
Kamasi Washington
The Revivalists
The Motet
Beats Antique (Live)
Break Science
JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band
The Soul Rebels
Vulfpeck
Dopapod
Turkuaz
Percy Hill
Frequinox*
The Suffers
Lebo & Friends (feat. Robert Walter, Jay Lane, Garrett Sayers, & Leslie Grant)*
Neville Jacobs
Reed Mathis Presents Electric Beethoven (feat. Jay Lane, Todd Stoops, & Clay Welch)*
The Brothers Comatose
Earphunk
Magic Gravy*
Love Canon
Big Something
Nikki Glaspie Super Jam*
Everyone Orchestra*
Nathan Moore*
Manic Focus
DJ Soul Sister
Special Guests:
Steve Kimock
Cyril Neville
Steve Berlin
Mike Dillon
Col. Bruce Hampton
Skerik
Katelyn & Laurie Shook of Shook Twins
Roosevelt Collier
(All Artists will play two shows, except those denoted with * will be playing one show)
