By Mike Fordham

Most award shows are pure pomp and circumstance. Celebrities give awkward speeches, awards are handed out and the audience applauds. Thankfully the Jammys, a relatively new award show celebrating the best in the jamband community, has subverted the whole process.

Instead of simply doling out awards, the Jammys brings together high-profile artists for once-in-a-lifetime collaborations. The sixth incarnation of the award show, emceed by Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman, took place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Thursday April 20th.

While the lineup of performing artists was not nearly as prolific as past years, the show was far from lacking. The legendary Richie Havens kicked things off with a performance of “Freedom” backed by the performance art troupe the Mutaytor. Curiously, Havens left after finishing the song, giving way to the backing group. The Mutaytor employed numerous musicians (mostly hand drummers) furiously pounding away to Afro-Cuban rhythms while belly dancers, fire dancers, and a Chinese dragon wove throughout their energetic set.

Next up, jamband veterans Blues Traveler paired up with turntable wizard DJ Logic. Sadly, a muddy mix hampered Logic’s DJ skills. Still, Blues Traveler brought out their classic harmonica-driven, blues groove on “NY Prophesie.” Soul singer Bettye LaVette guested on one of many covers of the evening with “Magic Carpet Ride,” although this particular take came out flat.

Possibly the most unique collaboration of the night belonged to jazz fusionists Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, jazz pianist McCoy Tyner and tap dancer Savion Glover. As Tyner accented the Flecktones’ fusion jams, Glover clicked away with gusto.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to the late, wonderfully eccentric Frank Zappa. As a touching tribute, son Dweezil led “Zappa Plays Zappa,” a group filled with former Zappa musicians. Legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea guested on the set and Umphrey’s McGee guitarist Jake Cinninger sat in for a song. The three song set did Zappa proud with tight chemistry, artful jamming and plenty of fun. Even the self-described “improv sound check” was impressive.

The night’s closing feature, Final Jam, brought together a majority of the artists as well as Little Feat, blues guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Charlie Musselwhite, and Bob Marley’s children Stephen and Ky-mani. Appropriately, the jam revolved around Marley’s “One Love.” The final, fantastic, cover finished off a captivating evening of improvisational music.

While awards were handed out (among the winners, Widespread Panic snagged “Live Album Of The Year,” moe.’s tsunami benefit show won “Live Performance Of The Year,” and the Bob Dylan film No Direction Home took home “DVD Of The Year” honors), the Jammys were not about the awards, the show’s spirit lived and thrived on the live performances. Other award shows may want to take note.