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

This 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

… Moon Taxi embodies the best of the jam band aesthetic: positive, bright, challenging and fun.—

Ann Powers

—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun

Gov't Mule brought a refreshing oomph to … the jam-band scene.—

Matt Wake

Examples of jam band in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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The alternative jam band Kendall Street Company jams at the Space Ballroom in Hamden on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. $26.60, $21.54 in advance. —

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2024 The group is more than just a dad jam band, check out their original tunes on their Spotify station. —

Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 15 July 2024 Per tradition, the festival will two shows by jam band icons the String Cheese Incident, who play the festival every year. —

Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Dec. 2024 Again, this somewhat ragged rendition isn’t equal to the multi-layered studio version or live ones heard on bootlegs; in particular, the Stills and Young interplay from a Dallas 1968 show makes the Springfield sound like the true originators of the jam band concept. —

David Browne, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2024 Max Creek Infinity Music Hall, 20 Greenwoods Road West, Norfolk Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford One of the supreme New England jam bands, Max Creek, does a two-night stand on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. —

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Nov. 2024 Lesh, the legendary jam band’s bassist, died on October 25th at 84. —

Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024 Your annoying friend who won’t shut up about Phish has a point: The 40-year-old jam band with its intensely dedicated following is in an incredible groove right now. —

Jordan Hoffman, Vulture, 12 July 2024 Phil Lesh, the bassist and founding member of the ultimate San Francisco jam band The Grateful Dead, died today. —

Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024