Photo Credit: Hana Gustafson

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Jam Cruise 19 docked in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. After a day on the island, music picked up as the boat disembarked from the floating festival’s first official stop. Australian funk/soul ensemble, The Bamboos delivered a send-off set as the sun dipped below the horizon and another night of music commenced. 

While The Bamboos were grooving on the Pool Deck, Chris Spies extended the invitation to guests George Porter Jr., Stanton Moore and members of the Honey Island Swamp Band to join him in the Atrium during his 45-minute frame. On the Pool Deck, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe brought the heat during their set. The group’s namesake switched up his use of instruments, from his signature sax to tambourine–adding a grove and inciting an array of jams.

Elsewhere on the ship, Reed Mathis and Brian Haas welcomed a steady stream of sit-ins during Mathis’ Electric Beethoven set. Nikki Glaspie kicked off the frame, and after wrapping the night’s opening number, Moore filled in on drums. Guests musicians continued to provide a backbeat, including Mike Dillon, Dave Watts and Cliff Porter–who was called up by Mathis on a whim.

As Mathis wrapped his set, George Porter Jr. and Dumpstaphunk arrived at the Pantheon Theater and cut into various tunes that beckoned to The Meters’ rich musical legacy. Again, the frame conjured the ship’s spirit and positive approach to celebrating some of music’s leading players. From “Hey Pocky Way” to “Just Kiss Me Baby” and a set closing take on “Fire On The Bayou,” the energy remained high during the entirety of the frame.

While Porter and Dumpstaphunk were performing in the theater, the members of Trouble No More were revisiting The Allman Brothers Band’s archive on the Pool Deck. Simultaneously, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio presented an electrified display as they jammed from one song to the next.

As the third day of music came to a close and morning arrived, as did Lettuce, whose funk-infused production stretched till 3:30 in the Pantheon Theatre and included guests–Dumpstaphunk horns, Glaspie, among others. Day four of Jam Cruise 19 is underway. View the daily musical lineup here.