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
Marshall was soon welcomed into the scruffy jam band’s inner circle.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Examples of classic guitar styles are easy to find, with the nearly 50-year-old local jam band Max Creek opening this year’s outdoor Hartford Live!
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Weather and logistical delays caused the San Francisco jam band — then not nearly as well known to East Coasters — to go on 90 minutes late at 10:30 p.m., and their extended set lasted almost two hours.
—Kate Hogan, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Binney has also played with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Norah Jones and the jam band Medeski, Martin & Wood.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
Pete Shapiro: Jerry’s death led to, in a weird way, the further development of the jam band scene.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Bonnaroo started with jam band headliners like Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews Band, The String Cheese Incident and Trey Anastasio.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
For 35 years, genre-breaking jam band 311 have forged their own path.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
But on one March evening, these hulking installations were just a backdrop: Goose, and 1,000 of its most ardent fans, descended on the space for a special event promoting the ascendant Connecticut jam band’s new album, Everything Must Go (released April 25).
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 6 June 2025
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Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Examples of classic guitar styles are easy to find, with the nearly 50-year-old local jam band Max Creek opening this year’s outdoor Hartford Live!
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Weather and logistical delays caused the San Francisco jam band — then not nearly as well known to East Coasters — to go on 90 minutes late at 10:30 p.m., and their extended set lasted almost two hours.
—Kate Hogan, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Binney has also played with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Norah Jones and the jam band Medeski, Martin & Wood.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
Pete Shapiro: Jerry’s death led to, in a weird way, the further development of the jam band scene.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Bonnaroo started with jam band headliners like Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews Band, The String Cheese Incident and Trey Anastasio.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
For 35 years, genre-breaking jam band 311 have forged their own path.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
But on one March evening, these hulking installations were just a backdrop: Goose, and 1,000 of its most ardent fans, descended on the space for a special event promoting the ascendant Connecticut jam band’s new album, Everything Must Go (released April 25).
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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