jam band
noun
plural jam bands
: a band (especially a rock band) whose performances are distinguished by frequent and often lengthy jazzlike improvisation
Blues Traveler is part of the new wave of jam bands … that play long, long shows and inspire fan devotion reminiscent of the Grateful Dead.—
Dean Johnson
Dean JohnsonThis Friday, the jam band Phish—which … remains uniquely regarded for its improvisational prowess and zealous, wayfaring fans—will arrive in New York City for thirteen shows …—Amanda Petrusich
Amanda Petrusich… Moon Taxi embodies the best of the jam band aesthetic: positive, bright, challenging and fun.—Ann Powers
—sometimes hyphenated when used before another nounAnn PowersGov't Mule brought a refreshing oomph to … the jam-band scene.—Matt Wake
Matt WakeExamples of jam band in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My Morning Jacket have occasionally been tagged a jam band, albeit one that exists on the less slapstick-y end of the jam spectrum.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Skeleton Krewe Trio Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
Skeleton Krewe Trio is a jam band that’s barely been together a year but has tons of experience jamming.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Esparza’s anchor also allows Darkside to indulge its inner jam band, a development that may unlock something new in the group’s performances.
—New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Phish, the world’s greatest jam band, has announced a West Coast tour for April.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
Goose is the rare jam band that actually gets radio play.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
American jam band Phish will headline Bourbon & Beyond this year, promising fans that their appearance at the Sept. 11-14 festival held annually in Louisville, Ky., and organized by award-winning festival producers Danny Wimmer Presents will be the band’s only festival stop for 2025.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2025
The 2,500 people gathered for the annual benefit concert Friday definitely knew their Grateful Dead, the revolutionary San Francisco-birthed jam band honored as 2025’s MusiCares Persons of the Year.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Co-Lab assembles an all-star jam band featuring Jeff Franca (Thievery Corporation) on drums; Holly Bowling on keys (Goose/Grateful Dead reinterpretations); Nate Edgar (Nth Power/John Brown’s Body) on bass, Mark Joseph (The Big Wu) on vocals and guitar.
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
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Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Skeleton Krewe Trio Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
Skeleton Krewe Trio is a jam band that’s barely been together a year but has tons of experience jamming.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Esparza’s anchor also allows Darkside to indulge its inner jam band, a development that may unlock something new in the group’s performances.
—New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Phish, the world’s greatest jam band, has announced a West Coast tour for April.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
Goose is the rare jam band that actually gets radio play.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
American jam band Phish will headline Bourbon & Beyond this year, promising fans that their appearance at the Sept. 11-14 festival held annually in Louisville, Ky., and organized by award-winning festival producers Danny Wimmer Presents will be the band’s only festival stop for 2025.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2025
The 2,500 people gathered for the annual benefit concert Friday definitely knew their Grateful Dead, the revolutionary San Francisco-birthed jam band honored as 2025’s MusiCares Persons of the Year.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Co-Lab assembles an all-star jam band featuring Jeff Franca (Thievery Corporation) on drums; Holly Bowling on keys (Goose/Grateful Dead reinterpretations); Nate Edgar (Nth Power/John Brown’s Body) on bass, Mark Joseph (The Big Wu) on vocals and guitar.
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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