Umphrey’s McGee keyboardist Joel Cummins has witnessed first-hand the development of Jam Cruise. Joel performed on Jam Cruise 1 with Umphrey’s and has participated in each successive trip with the exception of JC2 and JC6. This year’s trip marked Joel’s first Jam Cruise as a special guest, which means that Cummins’ role on Jam Cruise 9 was to sit-in with the various artists on the Poesia. Plus, Joel was scheduled to play a set of his own at the Atrium Piano on the final full day of the cruise.
[All photos by Brian Spady]
It should come as no surprise to those who have followed Joel’s career that the old man made the absolute most of his “special guest experience” by sitting in with no less than eight bands over the course of the five-day event in addition to his solo set and place on the Moog Lab panel.
READ ON for more on Joel Cummins’ Big Adventure…
Last year we started a recurring feature on HT called Jam Cruise Files, where we asked artists a number of questions about their Jam Cruise experiences. Jam Cruise 9, on the MSC Poesia, sets sail from Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 4th – a little more than six months away, with a power-packed lineup that includes Bob Weir’s Scaring The Children, God Street Wine, Galactic & the Rhythm Devils. We kick off the second year of Jam Cruise Files columns by talking with Cruise Director Annabel Lukins – aka Julie McCoy.
Hidden Track: What were a few of your highlights from Jam Cruise 8?
Julie McCoy: Two words: Nigel Hall. During the Fantastic 4 set on the pool deck, which was one of my most anticipated shows since we booked them, Nigel came on stage for Love Having You Around where he proceeded to yell to the crowd, “Where’s Annabel at, I want to sing this to her?” I humbly made my way to his side, and he serenaded me while I danced effortlessly next to him. The smile on my face was permanent, tears flowed from my face, and I felt such deep love and affection from my dear friend. It was truly a magical and humbling moment in my life, let alone my absolute Jam Cruise 8 highlight.
[Photo by Jeffrey Dupuis]
A few others worth mentioning:
Sexual Chocolate, Karl Denson’s brainchild…I was once again called up to sing in the final song with the supergroup, swaying back and forth next to Liza Oxnard and others. I truly felt a part of musical history.
Pretty Lights – 4:00am – Pool Deck. I have never danced so hard on Jam Cruise late night than I did during Pretty Lights. The entire pool deck was packed and everyone was grooving constantly to the ridiculously talented duo. READ ON for more of Jam Cruise Files with Julie McCoy…
I must admit, I was taken by surprise when I saw God Street Wine on the list of initial artists on board for Jam Cruise 9. As soon as I
During the last full day of Jam Cruise 8 – January 8 – conversations on the MSC Poesia started to include talk of next year as Jam Cruise vets and
