John Popper will join trance jammers the Disco Biscuits during the second annual Jammy Awards at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on June 28th. Organizers are still putting together a special tribute to the Funky Meters.

Popper joins a previously announced lineup of performers that includes Michael Franti of Spearhead (who will join the Tom Tom Club to honor Bob Marley), Les Claypool, Talib Kweli, Junior Brown , Meshell Ndegeocello, Soulive, Stanley Jordan, Col. Bruce Hampton, Steve Kimock, Jazz Mandolin Project and a collaboration between Del McCoury , DJ Logic and Robert Randolph. The Derek Trucks Band will serve as the evening's house band.

Phish and moe lead all acts with six and five nominations, respectively. Among the awards to be handed out are Jam of the Year, Release of the Year, and the Community Service Award, which has undergone a name change to the Mimi Fishman Memorial Award. Fishman, the mother of Phish drummer Jon Fishman, passed away earlier this year and was known as an active philanthropist and a generous spirit within the jam community.

Voting for the Jammys remains open at www.jambands.com and www.relix.com.

ROBIN A. ROTHMAN
(June 8, 2001)