_Photo: Dave Vann_

As Jam Cruise left port in Costa Maya, Mexico, it was apparent that weather was going to be an issue for the night’s planned festivities. Sure enough, the pool deck was shut down shortly after The Revivalists sail away set due to high winds and rain, thus canceling John Scofield’s Uberjam Band and Umphrey’s McGee’s sets. Before the weather, The Revivalists played a notable sail away set, however, as the New Orleans act welcomed out Jennifer Hartswick, Papa Mali and Roosevelt Collier for jams throughout their set.

When the weather hit, cruisers retreated inside to The Atrium where the Pickin’ Party was taking place. A collaborative jam with musicians, crew members and audience members alike featured the likes of Anders Beck, Tim Carbone, The Shook Twins, Nathan Moore, Paul Hoffman and more. The ensemble rolled through singalong versions of Pink Floyd’s “Time” as well as The Beatles’ “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” and “Come Together,” among others. Following that set, fans remained as Ivan Neville took to the piano for a more traditional atrium set that touched on his solo material as well as several unique covers. The soulful set saw the keyboardist joined by Nikki Glaspie on Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” which was followed by Glaspie, Eric Krasno, Weedie and Benny Bloom joining in for a take on Dave Matthews Band’s “Crash Into Me.” Neville then invited pal George Porter Jr. to sit-in on bass for “Tell It Like It Is,” a tune Neville said he and the bassist had never played before that moment. Porter stayed on for the finale of “Big Chief” which also featured Stanton Moore on drums and crew member Kira Shulaeva on violin.

With a giant void in the night’s festivities due to the cancellations, fans sought out whatever music they could find as Preservation Hall Jazz Band lightened the mood in the Pantheon Theater with special guest Mike Dillon, which was followed by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe jamming with John Gros. One of the highlights of the night came in the form of Snarky Puppy’s Jazz Room. While the members of Umphrey’s couldn’t play outside, some found a way as Joel Cummins and Kris Myers jumped on stage with members of Snarky Puppy. Other appearances in the jazz room included Adam Deitch, Weedie, Todd Stoops, Jennifer Hartswick, Oteil Burbridge, Nikki Glaspie, Joey Porter and more.

After the Jazz Room, many found their way over to the Jam Room as Roosevelt Collier was curating an all-star cast of his own. Throughout the night and into the morning, fans could hear the likes of John Gros, Grant Green Jr., Papa Mali, Ike Stubblefield, Charles Bradley, Todd Carbone, Todd Stoops, Oteil Burbridge, Vernon Reid, Tash Neal and Ivan Neville all jam with Collier. The ensemble mixed in covers like “Spanish Moon,” “Superstitious,” and James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s World” with extensive jams that lasted well into the morning.

Over in the theater, Lettuce was playing their second set of the week as the band brought out Corey Henry and Borahm Lee for a performance of “Madison Square,” along with their full breadth of funk-infused tunes.

Jam Cruise concludes today with two sets from Umphrey’s McGee, a Jam Cruise Tribute to Jerry Garcia, Eric Krasno’s Super Jam, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Break Science and more.