Photo Credit: Hana Gustafson

After a day of excursions in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday, the MSC Divina returned to cruising on Thursday, Feb. 9. Music commenced at half past noon on the Pool Deck with a set by Dogs In A Pile. The Ashbury Park-bred ensemble welcomed Daniel Donato during their gig and covered the Grateful Dead’s “Mr. Charlie.” 

Following Dogs In A Pile’s high-energy display, Mihali took over their spot on the Pool Deck. While Twiddle’s frontman lent some tunes, Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz warmed up the crowd next to the Garden Pool. ALO’s six-string slinger cut into a top-notch rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” before moving into a pandemic-era original. 

Simultaneously, Everyone Orchestra, led by Matt Butler and featuring Judith Hill, Jason Crosby, Mike Dillon, Little Stranger, Kanika Moore, Daniel Donato, Kyle Tuttle, and many others, arrived at the Pantheon Theater. The unified set was an explosion of musical vigor steeped in undeniable enthusiasm that permeated the band and the audience as Butler flashed his whiteboard marked with instructions.  

Elsewhere, jazz quintet Butcher Brown took over the Pool Deck stage–at the same time, members of The Broadband led a Female Empowerment Seminar, which ran over into an hour-long frame of music in the Pantheon Theater. Meanwhile, Peter Levin positioned himself at the piano in the Atrium, where he performed a take on Gregg Allman’s “Please Call Home” before calling up guests Isaiah Sharkey, Reed Mathis and Jack Ryan for a synergetic sit-in. 

While the Punkadelic trio Mike Dillon, Nikki Glaspie and Brian Haas, were jamming in the Black & White Lounge, Dumpstaphunk established their groove on the Pool Deck. Eventually, Galactic took over the stage and started their set with a take on “Here Comes the Funky Man.” Highlights included Dillon’s appearance on “Go Go,” a cover of Dr. John’s “Qualified,” featuring the horn section and Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph on vocals. With a rotating cast of characters, the band’s frame was a peak for many.

Meanwhile, Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit commenced with a sit-in by George Porter Jr. In time, Marcinek called up guests Lebo and Crosby to the stage, who delivered instrumental solos during renditions of “Shakedown Street” and “West L.A. Fadeaway.” Needless to say, the funk-infused covers ignited mass movement on the dance floor. 

As the early morning hours encroached, Neal Francis performed at the Pantheon Theater alongside guest Karina Rykman, who stopped by to assist with a couple of songs. Concurrently, Doom Flamingo lit up the Pool Deck, where they ran through their debut 12-track, Peaches & Bobbi. At the same time, Porter arrived in the Black & White Lounge again, this time for his Jam Room session, which included a fitting take on “After Midnight,” featuring Lebo.

Music will pick back up today, Friday, Feb. 10, when Andy Frasco & The U.N. arrive on the Pool Deck at 6 p.m., following a day docked in Grand Turk. View tonight’s Jam Cruise schedule here.