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
The 34th annual edition of this popular festival, which focuses on improvisational, funk, roots and various styles of jam band music, takes place at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
An iconic ‘90s jam band is set to make its return to the Kansas City area for the first time in a decade.
—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
Goose held a moment of silence before the jam band’s Central Park concert Sunday to honor fan Paul Kueker a day after his fatal fall off a Madison Square Garden balcony during a show.
—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
With Allmans keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams, a school friend who had replaced Oakley, Jaimoe joined Sea Level, a largely instrumental jam band that made several albums.
—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2026
There were plans for the popular jam band Goose to follow last fall, but the city—already on edge amid the violence wrought by the presence of ICE—required additional security measures that proved impossible to meet.
—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Phish is a jam band with a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase that first became popular in the 90s.
—
Carly Sauvageau,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Devotees of Phish were thrilled to discover that a previously uncirculated 1990 show by the jam band is included.
—
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
The night’s features genre-bending performances from Big Gigantic, Goth Babe and Tycho, hip-hop acts BigXthaPlug and Paris Texas, and jam bands Dogs in a Pile and Eggy.
—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
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Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
An iconic ‘90s jam band is set to make its return to the Kansas City area for the first time in a decade.
—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
Goose held a moment of silence before the jam band’s Central Park concert Sunday to honor fan Paul Kueker a day after his fatal fall off a Madison Square Garden balcony during a show.
—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
With Allmans keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams, a school friend who had replaced Oakley, Jaimoe joined Sea Level, a largely instrumental jam band that made several albums.
—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2026
There were plans for the popular jam band Goose to follow last fall, but the city—already on edge amid the violence wrought by the presence of ICE—required additional security measures that proved impossible to meet.
—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Phish is a jam band with a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase that first became popular in the 90s.
—
Carly Sauvageau,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Devotees of Phish were thrilled to discover that a previously uncirculated 1990 show by the jam band is included.
—
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
The night’s features genre-bending performances from Big Gigantic, Goth Babe and Tycho, hip-hop acts BigXthaPlug and Paris Texas, and jam bands Dogs in a Pile and Eggy.
—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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