Article Contributed by Jamie Huenefeld
Published on 2026-06-15
Island Jam | Cherry Hill, NJ | June 6, 2026 | Photos by Jamie Huenefeld/Killahwave and videos by Vinny Vallely
The first annual Island Jam Festival was held on Veteran's Island on June 6, 2026, which is part of Cooper River Park in Cherry Hill, NJ, just outside the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The festival was presented by Tonewood Brewing Company, the South Jersey brewery known for supporting live music and community events. With its natural landscape and waterfront setting, Veteran's Island provided the perfect environment for jamming, dancing, and good times.
A diverse lineup of regional and national artists shared the stage throughout the day. The artists collaborated freely and elevated the vibes at nearly every turn. This sweet festival had all the feels, and after a successful debut, we truly hope Island Jam will return next year for round two.
NJ/PA-based Grateful Dead collective Crickets & Cicadas kicked off the festivities. The group is known for delivering powerful, improvisation-rich performances. They used the Grateful Dead catalog as a launchpad, and blasted off into wild, unexpected jams that stretched the imagination. They opened with "Terrapin Station," which immediately setting the tone for the day. Keyboardist Aron Magner joined the band for the entire set, adding another layer of improvisational firepower to an already adventurous performance.
Next came the five piece bluegrass outfit Sean Daniels and The Law Abiding Citizens. The South Jersey-based pickers and players focused on traditional and modern Americana. They brought an organic blend of storytelling, musicianship, and homegrown charm that fit perfectly into the laid-back festival atmosphere.
Winderman, Colman and Kimock followed with one of the day's most intriguing collaborations. The trio featured keyboardist Eli Winderman of Dopapod and Octave Cat, bassist Jonathan Colman of Muscle Tough, and drummer John Morgan Kimock, known for his work with Mike Gordon and Oteil & Friends. Together, they crafted a sound that was as sophisticated as it was groovy, evoking the spirit of improvisation with a modern, experimental, funk-laden twist. Kanika Moore and Aron Magner joined the trio for a raging rendition of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box." They transformed the grunge classic into an expansive jam vehicle that drew one of the biggest reactions of the afternoon. Check out this video montage of the collaboration by videographer Vinny Vallely.
Grace Bowers and her quartet kept the momentum rolling with a potent mix of blues rock and punk energy. View this video by videographer Vinny Vallely that captured the raw talent possessed by this young musician. The Nashville-based guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader displayed a commanding stage presence that far exceeded her nineteen years. Bowers effortlessly led the band through a high-energy set before welcoming Kanika Moore for a standout cover that gradually evolved into a disco-funk celebration. The collaboration ultimately landed in "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, sending the crowd into a dance frenzy.
As temperatures climbed during the afternoon, Marc Brownstein, better known as DJ Brownie, took over. The Disco Biscuits bassist, HeadCount co-founder, and Camp Bisco co-founder leaned heavily into house music while sprinkling in elements of other electronic genres throughout his set. Brownstein introduced at least seven new remixes that he had mastered within the previous week. Fans eagerly danced through the heat as he debuted fresh material. Aron Magner once again joined the action, which further emphasized the collaborative spirit that defined the festival.
The jazzy blues-rock trio LaMP followed, which consists of Scott Metzger, Russ Lawton, and Ray Paczkowski. The group delivered a deep funk groove fueled by blues rock, acid jazz, and improvisational exploration. Paczkowski alternated between clavinet and organ, continuously dialing up the funk, while Metzger unleashed fiery guitar work. Lawton anchored everything with dynamic, steady beats.
Unfortunately, the raging set was cut short when lightning was detected in the region. Fans were evacuated from the park and instructed to wait in their vehicles. While the lightning ultimately sidestepped the festival grounds, a brief rain shower passed through the area. After a short delay, the weather cleared and organizers reopened the park to continue the event.
As fans streamed back onto Veteran's Island, Deadtronica launched into an abridged but memorable set. The project featured festival artist-at-large Aron Magner alongside Emmy Award-winning producer Cloudchord, who has notably collaborated with Magner's primary band The Disco Biscuits on a studio release. Together, they merged the improvisational spirit of the Grateful Dead with the pulsating energy of electronic dance music. Jonathan Colman joined the group on bass for several songs, including a synth-heavy, hip-hop-charged version of "China Cat" that immediately got the still-soggy crowd moving again. Kanika Moore also sat in and contributed vocals to a raging rendition of "Dancing in the Streets." At one point, she jumped into the audience and danced alongside festival-goers, creating one of the day's most memorable moments.
The high-flying five-piece Pigeons Playing Ping Pong then closed out the inaugural Island Jam Festival with another heater of a performance. Keyboardist John Brady joined the band for the entire set, much like he had done at Viva El Gonzo the month prior, and noticeably elevated their sound. His chemistry with the group was undeniable, and we can only hope he continues to be part of their funkified formula moving forward.
One of the set's biggest highlights came when the band covered Pink Floyd's "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" before seamlessly jamming into "Have a Cigar." Guitarist Jeremy Schon remained all smiles throughout the sequence as the group navigated the extended excursion. Eventually, they landed squarely back in "Pigs" before transitioning into "Overtime." Aron Magner later joined the band for the feel-good tune from their 2024 release Day In Time. The main set concluded with a vibrant "Love Trap" > "Horizon" that left the crowd buzzing.
For the encore, Pigeons returned to the stage and welcomed Kanika Moore for CeeLo Green's "Fuck You." The performance marked only the third time the band had played the funky tune, and Moore absolutely nailed the vocals, providing a fitting exclamation point on a day defined by collaboration, community, and musical exploration. Our videographer Vinny Vallely captured the moment perfectly in this short video.
For a first-year festival, Island Jam exceeded expectations. Between the picturesque setting, impressive lineup, frequent sit-ins, and resilient crowd that weathered a mid-afternoon storm delay, the event delivered everything fans could have hoped for from a grassroots jam festival.
Check out more photos from Island Jam!
