Due to unforeseen circumstances, George Porter Jr. will unfortunately no longer be joining on Jam Cruise this year. The festival at sea, which embarks tomorrow from Miami, will instead welcome Oteil Burbridge, fresh off of his lastest Dead and Company run, to take Porter’s place as a Masters Camp at Sea host. Eddie Roberts and Robert Walter will fill in as Jam Room hosts on night one, leading a slew of legendary musicians through unpredictable, never-before-heard improvisation.

22 Musicians Tell Us Their Favorite Things About Jam Cruise 

The news is particularly sad because George Porter Jr. is a regular fixture on Jam Cruise. He told Live For Live Music, “It started out as a way for my wife Ara and I to celebrate our wedding anniversary which is December 28th. I had gotten a call from Annabel about playing Jam Cruise. The money wasn’t great so I asked her if it included a room for two and it did so we said yes let’s do it. That first year I ran around that boat like a crazy man playing with everyone I could play with, I barely saw Ara, lol so much for romance. Years later I slowed down and am starting to spend more time with my wife, that is when she is not taking the Casino for a lot of money, the cruise is a unique chance to see friends play with some great musicians and meet some fans. It is definitely a special experience.”

MSC Cruises Is Building A $200 Million Private Island In The Caribbean

Jam Cruise posted the following message to their Facebook page today:

“We are truly sorry to announce that due to circumstances out of all of our control, George Porter, Jr. won’t be able to join us onboard. He was extremely excited to be with us, his Jam Cruise family as the main bass player for Masters Camp at Sea. But all is not lost…We have all hustled over the past 24 hours to bring you this good news. George’s brother from another mother, Oteil Burbridge, fresh off Dead & Co tour, is hopping on a plane to come fill in at Masters Camp. This makes George, and hopefully all of you, very happy.

George, or as some of us like to call him, the Jam Room king, was to be the host on our first night. We rallied a few of your other favorites, to fill the big shoes. Look out for some tasty jams led by Eddie Roberts and Robert Walter.

We wish George so much love and can’t wait to have him back with us again on Jam Cruise 15!”

Rock A New ‘Let Oteil Sing’ T-Shirt, And All Proceeds Will Go To Charity

The 14th annual Jam Cruise leaves from Miami tomorrow, January 6, setting sail for Cozumel and Belize.Â