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
Among the nominees who failed to make the final cut this year are Oasis, the Britpop standard-bearers who have reunited for perhaps this year’s most in-demand world tour, and Phish, the veteran Vermont jam band.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Fans will have to wait until Sunday (April 27) to find out if Phish makes it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year on its first try, but the veteran jam band’s enthusiasts showed their support.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
Veteran jam band Phish won the fan vote with almost 330,000 – about 50,000 more than the next highest, Bad Company – but contrary to popular belief, winning the fan vote does not guarantee induction.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Phish won the annual fan vote, and their exclusion isn’t likely to play well in the jam band world.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
It’s thoroughly lapped the competition — coming from several different generations of jam bands — while exerting far more influence on the genre than any act not named the Grateful Dead.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Catch a show Legendary jam band Phish will play the Moda Center on 4/20.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
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
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Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Fans will have to wait until Sunday (April 27) to find out if Phish makes it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year on its first try, but the veteran jam band’s enthusiasts showed their support.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
Veteran jam band Phish won the fan vote with almost 330,000 – about 50,000 more than the next highest, Bad Company – but contrary to popular belief, winning the fan vote does not guarantee induction.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Phish won the annual fan vote, and their exclusion isn’t likely to play well in the jam band world.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
It’s thoroughly lapped the competition — coming from several different generations of jam bands — while exerting far more influence on the genre than any act not named the Grateful Dead.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Catch a show Legendary jam band Phish will play the Moda Center on 4/20.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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