2003

Jam band fans who missed out on the chance to sail on the inaugural Jam Cruise — set to depart Jan. 6, 2004, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. — will now get a crack at the next-best thing, Jam Cruise II. The initial cruise sold out of its 800 tickets within an hour of their on-sale date, so Cloud 9 Adventures has announced a sequel, with tickets on sale Monday (July 21).
Jam Cruise II will depart Jan. 10, 2004, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on the Imperial Majesty Regal Empress ship, the same day the ship will dock with returning passengers from Jam Cruise I. Both will make stops in Nassau, the Bahamas and Key West, Fla. Galactic and the Disco Biscuits will remain on the ship as participants in both cruises, and a host of other acts will climb aboard for the second edition.
Confirmed bands for Jam Cruise II include Michael Franti & Spearhead, Les Claypool, Donna The Buffalo, Yonder Mountain String Band, Rebirth Brass Band, RAQ, Codetalkers feat. Col. Bruce Hampton and the Hackensaw Boys. As previously reported, Keller Williams, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Particle, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and DJ Z-Trip will take part in Jam Cruise II.
Both tours will feature traditional cruise attractions such as casinos, dining and spa facilities as well as boasting three stages — an outdoor stage on the top deck, an indoor theater and a small nightclub. Passengers can choose between dozens of concerts, plus all-night jam sessions. The show admission is included in the package price, ranging from $500 to $1025 per person.
Source billboard.com.

The White Stripes have postponed their North American tour dates through August 10. Lead singer/guitarist Jack White suffered a compound fracture to a finger in an auto accident in his hometown of Detroit July 9. Shows affected include those in Providence, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C; Norfolk, Nashville, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toronto, Montreal, Milwaukee, and Detroit. The White Stripes hope to reschedule the postponed shows as soon as possible, with previously purchased tickets remaining valid for the new shows.

Garage A Trois has announced a run of shows out west in support of their recent release

Miramax Films, a major player in distributing independent movies, is taking the unusual step of splitting a new movie from director Quentin Tarantino into two parts and releasing each as separate films, a studio spokesman said on Wednesday.”The idea was thought of when the script was in development and after seeing the (film) footage, it made sense,” said the spokesman.The movie, called “Kill Bill,” is the first from the critically acclaimed director since 1997’s “Jackie Brown,” and has been widely anticipated by his fans.But with preliminary versions running at three hours, it was almost twice as long as a normal movie, meaning theaters would have fewer screenings in a day and risk losing ticket sales.The movie is about a female assassin, played by Uma Thurman, who survives an attempt on her life.
Source etonline.com.

Cake will be on the road with their Unlimited Sunshine tour for a second run this fall, with this year

Grammy-winning guitarist Carlos Santana has been working for free this summer so that those engaged in the fight against AIDS may benefit. Santana, who pledged the net proceeds from the U.S. leg of his “Shaman” tour to the fight against the AIDS pandemic in Africa, wrapped up the 23-city tour Monday night with a Hollywood Bowl show before a packed audience.
He estimates the tour raised at least $2 million.
Sharon Gelman, the group’s executive director, called Santana’s pledge, “a very significant contribution.” “This is basically Carlos working for a month and a half and giving away every penny he would earn to help other people,” she said.
Source yahoo.com.

The Flaming Lips came to the rescue of the Witnness festival in Kildare, Ireland, replacing the White Stripes on the main stage last night (July 13). The Stripes had to cancel at the last minute after frontman Jack White broke his finger in a minor car accident in Detroit (apparently, the car’s airbag caused the damage).
In tribute, the Lips played their gig attired in White Stripes-inspired red and white outfits. They also began their set with a cover of the group’s hit “Seven Nation Army” and performed a new song called “Thank You Jack White for the Fiber Optic Jesus That You Gave Me.” As usual, the band was joined on stage by about 20 people dressed in animal costumes, beneath which were members of Irish bands the Divine Comedy and Snow Patrol, as well as several prominent media figures.
Source Billboard.com.

Rancid, Simple Plan, the Used, Less Than Jake, the Ataris and other acts on the 2003 Warped Tour will appear in “Punk Rock Holocaust,” a feature-length slasher flick being filmed on this summer’s tour. The movie went into production June 19 at the opening date of the Warped Tour in Nampa, Idaho. “Punk Rock Holocaust” is being directed by 23 year-old Doug Sakmann.
The film will be shot at each venue along the 44-date tour. The plot centers around a number of mysterious deaths happening during the festival. In the film, many believe a fictional band is seeking revenge from beyond the grave for being kicked off the tour six years ago. Nearly every band on this year’s outing is slated to appear in the film to try to solve the mystery.
Source Billboard.com.

Compay Segundo, one of Cuba’s oldest “troubadours” and charming frontman for the Buena Vista Social Club group, died this morning (July 14) in Havana. He was 95
Segundo shot to international fame with the 1997 Grammy Award-winning recording “Buena Vista Social Club” produced with the collaboration of American guitarist Ry Cooder. The record brought back into the limelight a group of talented musicians who had all but been forgotten in Cuba, including Segundo, pianist Ruben Gonzalez, and singers Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo.

Legendary jazz pioneer and big band leader Benny Carter, who helped break Hollywood’s bar to black composers, died Saturday in Los Angeles, he was 95. Carter, who was one of the first black composers and arrangers to work on mainstream Hollywood films, including such classics as “Stormy Weather,” had been hospitalized for about two weeks, complaining of bronchitis and fatigue, said family friend Virginia Wicks.
In a career that spanned seven decades, Carter played with such jazz luminaries as pianist Willie “The Lion” Smith, Fats Waller, Miles Davis and Dizzie Gillespie. He is also credited with launching Ella Fitzgerald’s career by introducing her to bandleader Chick Webb. Carter’s compositions, including “Blues in My Heart” and “When Lights Are Low,” have become jazz standards.
A largely self-taught musician, Carter established the swing-era, big band sound through ensemble compositions for the Fletcher Henderson orchestra and later his own band.
Source Billboard.com.