As the Jan. 2 launch date nears for Jam Cruise 5, more artists are being confirmed to already impressive line-up. The Disco Biscuits, JJ Grey, and DJ-Logic are just a few of the names that join the likes of The Derek Trucks Band, Galactic, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. A complete list of bands playing as well as information on how to book passage on the cruise can be found at the Jam Cruise 5 website.

Best described as a big floating music festival, the Jam Cruise is the culmination of a vision by founder and concert and festival organizer, Mark Brown. Brown was quoted in a recent New York Times article as saying, “Everybody has a backstage pass… These are people that wouldn’t normally play bingo… But their favorite artist is calling it out.” The musicians are accessible to their fans, holding workshops and eating in the dining room as all the passengers do.

The cruise will be hosted on the MSC Opera which first sailed in 2004 and is one of the newest ships traveling the Caribbean. The ship has 856 spacious rooms, many with private balconies and also has amenities which include a swimming pool, whirlpool, a gym with a sauna, mini-golf, internet café, and a casino.

Bands who would like to join the extraordinary line up have until November 7, 2006 to enter a contest hosted by sonicbirds. Six cabins have been reserved for winners, meaning a six piece band could be chosen, three duos, or any combination of six. Jam Cruise judges will narrow the field of applicants, but the passengers will be the ones to determine who gets to sail with them in January.

MORFO and New Mastersounds have been confirmed to be playing at the Jam Cruise 5 pre-party. The party will be held January 1, 2007 at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tickets will go on sale September 15 for booked passengers of the cruise and to the general public on September 20.