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“In
many ways, the jamband scene has mastered the art of organizing
a festival,” ponders experienced festival organizer Mark
Brown. “So what’s next? Everyone is waiting to be
even more inspired than they were by their last adventure.
They want the ultimate musical experience in a most magical
setting.”
Three
years ago Brown set out to give the music fans what they wanted,
and the Jam Cruise vision was sparked. But the manifestation
of such an extraordinary musical adventure would require the
talents of a uniquely ambitious group. Brown brought in respected
Athens promoter Josh Moore and music-cruise veteran Roger
Naber, while Joseph Hanan rounded out the team with his legal
and administrative experience. Today, with Jam Cruise setting
sail for its third trip, the dream is a reality; welcome to
Cloud 9.
Mark
Brown
Mark Brown has been a concert and festival organizer for over
a decade, and today is involved with such renowned festivals
as Richmond’s Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and the Virginian
Homegrown Festival. Brown recently relocated from Richmond,
Virginia to Delray Beach, Florida, where he launched the annual
Langerado Music Festival and continues to promote local concerts
through his company, Brown Coffee Productions (www.browncoffee.com).
Brown is the driving force behind Jam Cruise and has been
working on the realization of this ocean-bound festival for
over three years.
Josh
Moore
A talent buyer in Athens for over five years, Josh Moore has
worked with a diverse list of some of today’s most respected
artists including The Strokes, David Byrne, John Mayer, Willie
Nelson, Iggy Pop, Herbie Hancock and hundreds of others. A
psychology graduate from the University of Georgia’s
class of 1999, the young entrepreneur was inspired to enter
the entertainment industry by his cousin, John Moore, who
books musical talent for New York City’s well-known Mercury
Lounge and Bowery Ballroom. In addition to career paths, Josh
and John also share the nickname “Jomo.” Lil’
Jomo (as his colleagues distinguish him from his older cousin,
Big Jomo) runs a successful production company under the moniker
of Jomo Entertainment (www.jomoentertainment.com).
Today, Josh is also the talent buyer for Cloud 9 and Jam Cruise.
Roger
Naber
A blues music industry professional for almost 25 years, Roger
Naber has played a crucial role in making Jam Cruise a reality.
Having headed production for music cruises, including the
legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise for the past ten years,
organizing the overwhelming logistics of a high seas festival
has become almost second nature to this industry veteran.
The legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise is the world’s
only fully chartered Blues Cruise, a 7-day floating blues
festival, where “everyone has a backstage pass.”
Like Jam Cruise, the musicians jam both day and night, participate
in artist workshops, and are accessible for autograph parties.
Naber has also been owner, talent buyer and promotional director
for The Grand Emporium in Kansas City (www.grandemporium.com)
since 1985.
Joseph
Hanan
Joe Hanan recently earned his law degree and MBA from Stetson
College of Law in DeLand, Florida. Hanan’s schooling
and passion for live music make him an ideal person to oversee
legalities and logistics for the Jam Cruise boats and general
Cloud 9 business arrangements. Hanan also recently started
a music promotion company called Groovetrain (www.groovetrain.org).
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