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
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
The jam bands Phish and Dead & Company and electronic musician Anyma have also performed at the venue; the Eagles are in the middle of a residency there, and Dead & Company are slated to return starting March 20.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The occasional supergroup has made a tradition of playing Phish after-parties—Medeski and Martin (the keyboardist and the drummer of the jazz-fusion band Medeski Martin & Wood), who have been linked with the jam band since 1995, channel the same psychedelic release in their own playing.
—The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
Graham Lesh was part of a stellar jam band that also included Don Was and Sturgill Simpson, backing four tunes that got some in the house up on their feet.
—Cathy Applefeld Olson, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
In the ensuing days, the jam band Phish, known for entrancing its cult following with spells of improvisational wizardry, requisitions Madison Square Garden until the calendar rolls over (Dec. 28-31).
—The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
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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
The jam bands Phish and Dead & Company and electronic musician Anyma have also performed at the venue; the Eagles are in the middle of a residency there, and Dead & Company are slated to return starting March 20.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The occasional supergroup has made a tradition of playing Phish after-parties—Medeski and Martin (the keyboardist and the drummer of the jazz-fusion band Medeski Martin & Wood), who have been linked with the jam band since 1995, channel the same psychedelic release in their own playing.
—The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
Graham Lesh was part of a stellar jam band that also included Don Was and Sturgill Simpson, backing four tunes that got some in the house up on their feet.
—Cathy Applefeld Olson, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
In the ensuing days, the jam band Phish, known for entrancing its cult following with spells of improvisational wizardry, requisitions Madison Square Garden until the calendar rolls over (Dec. 28-31).
—The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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