Super Jam

It may be more than a month before Mardi Gras, but South Florida-based Monkey­krewe has no problem scratching its New Orleans itch a little early. Centered around performances by the krewe's favorite band — the Radiators — this three-day series of shows also brings the Wild Magnolias and an introductory "Superjam" featuring Ivan Neville, Tony Hall (Dumpsta­phunk, Dave Matthews & Friends), Raymond Weber (Dumpsta­phunk), Eric Krasno (Soulive), and Skerik (Medeski, Martin & Wood, Gov't Mule). Though the entire weekend gives local Orleanophiles plenty to chew on, it's the first night that's bound to be the most out-of-control. Some of New Orleans' greatest session players are gonna jam together so hard that simply calling it a "jam session" doesn't suffice. We're talking serious, in-the-pocket, hardcore grooves. If you like your funk high-powered, then catching these cats live isn't to be missed. Thursday's gig is titled Monkeyball VII Royal Coronation, and thanks to the landing of the Jam Cruise, this Dumpstaphunk-on-steroids session is going to be a night to remember... and if you can't remember it, just go the next night and see the same group of musicians knock it out with the Radiators.