Jam Cruising With David Vann
David Vann
2004-01-29
Our steady correspondent and ubiquitous photographer David Vann, boarded the good ship Jam Cruise and here is his report...
Safety first on the Regal Empress – all passengers had to go thru the lifejacket/lifeboat drill. It didn't take long for everyone to enjoy the pool and the sundeck. 
Top – Bill Nershi & Liza Oxnard
Middle – Keller Williams
Bottom – Umphrey's McGee 
The Disco Biscuits were a staple on both cruises. Mark Brownstein played Bisco Bingo with the passengers. One lucky passenger won a free trip on Jam Cruise 2. 
The Mermaid Lounge on the Upper Deck was one of four spots to see music -- complete with a nice mahogany bar & ambience made for a wonderful cruise experience. Top to bottom; New Monsoon, Bobby Lee Rogers of Code Talkers, RAQ 
The Grand Ballroom was a favorite spot for late night jams. Top to bottom – Karl D plays with Particle, Mofro's JJGray, Peter Rowan's Crucial Reggae with Liza Oxnard & Jillian Nershi 
The Mirage Disco had a state of the art sound & video projection system (www.garbaz.com). Various players would converge there for wicked unrehearsed jams late into the night. On JC2 left to right Chris Littlefield(KDTU), Eric Crittenden(WAZ), Phil Ferlino (New Monsoon), Hope Clayburn (Deep Banana Blackout), John Staten (KDTU), Ron Johnson (KDTU), DJ Motion Potion, & Jonathan Freilich posed for a candid after their set. 
Michael Franti & Spearhead brought their amazing positive vibe to Jam Cruise 2. Left – Turtle Mitcheson proposed to his girlfriend Rachel Inman on stage during Spearhead's set. 
Galactic rocked both Jam Cruises – JC2 was the last show for backing vocalist Teedy Boutte 
There were super jams on both cruises. This Jam is from JC2 & featured members of Rebirth Brass Band, Particle, Hope Clayburn, KDTU & many more throughout the jam. 
Top to Bottom – Col Bruce Hampton, Les Claypool, Karl Denson's Tiny universe. 
Both Cruises has a Mardi Gras theme night the last night of the Cruise. These photos are from JC1 – pictured bottom – members of Galactic & Dirty Dozen Brass Band get the crowd moving with a parade around the boat. 
The last night of each cruise – several awards were given out. Pictured here Capt Toast (top) started the ceremony for JC1 with his usual high spirits. The award for the schwilliest went to the man in the t-shirt. Rob Wasserman received the MVP award - a drum - for sitting in with the most other musicians. Other awards included highest bar tab, biggest casino loss, longest distance to come for cruise – just to name a few. 
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