Zach Deputy, Fusion Funk San Jose and a variety of jam sessions welcomed festivalgoers to Jungle Jam IV during last night’s pre-party in Jaco, Costa Rica.
 
Native Costa Rican band Fusion Funk San Jose was the first band to warm up the stage for an intimate and energetic crowd of dancers and hoopers at the Doce Lunas Hotel. The band played covers of Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Pee Wee Ellis’ “The Chicken”, while Kiki and the Flaming Gypsies spun fire to the music. Funk Fusion San Jose was a quartet last night with harmonica, keyboards, drums and bass guitar.
 
The party kept going when Zach Deputy, a favorite among the attendees, grabbed the stage for an unannounced set. The crowd grew when more people came from the resort and nearby campground to listen and get down. The jamming, amongst musicians and friends, then continued late into the night at downtown Jaco restaurant and bar Los Amigos. 
 
Jungle Jam IV will officially begin today with performances by Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Kung Fu, Brett Wilson (acoustic), Thicker Than Thieves, Zack Deputy, and Oteil & Friends featuring Don Carlos, Nikki Glaspie, Scott Murawski and more. Doce Lunas—located at the foot of the jungle, just a few miles from the beach—is home to Jungle Jam’s main stage, restaurant stage, campground and other facilities. The festival also sponsoring a beachfront stage and yoga at the Copacabana Hotel, a clothing optional resort.