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 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
After sets from intergenerational jam bands and folk-rock legends, the newest resident at Las Vegas’ Sphere will be a little louder and nastier than usual.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Another thing that a lot of these jam band fans love is drugs — tripping, smoking weed, rolling on MDMA, doing peyote or ayahuasca, and eventually many of them loved smoking crack and shooting heroin.
—David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Mega jam band Phish will return to its traditional perch at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City this summer after a tryout at Boulder’s Folsom Field last year.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
The effect could remind one of jam bands, yes, but also of the unconscious cerebral shiftings of psych rock, where every instrument lysergically trembles a little outside of itself.
—Ivy Nelson, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Dave Matthews Band shows were one of the things that once defined The Meadows, and now the ever-popular world music pop/rock jam band has returned.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
The genre-blending jam band — consisting of Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keys, guitar), Trevor Weekz (bass), and Cotter Ellis (vocals, drums) — has announced dates for its 2026 tour.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Atlanta native Zac Brown founded the Zac Brown Band in 2002 and built a following through heavy touring, playing country and rock clubs as well as jam band festivals.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
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Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
After sets from intergenerational jam bands and folk-rock legends, the newest resident at Las Vegas’ Sphere will be a little louder and nastier than usual.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Another thing that a lot of these jam band fans love is drugs — tripping, smoking weed, rolling on MDMA, doing peyote or ayahuasca, and eventually many of them loved smoking crack and shooting heroin.
—David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Mega jam band Phish will return to its traditional perch at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City this summer after a tryout at Boulder’s Folsom Field last year.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
The effect could remind one of jam bands, yes, but also of the unconscious cerebral shiftings of psych rock, where every instrument lysergically trembles a little outside of itself.
—Ivy Nelson, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Dave Matthews Band shows were one of the things that once defined The Meadows, and now the ever-popular world music pop/rock jam band has returned.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
The genre-blending jam band — consisting of Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keys, guitar), Trevor Weekz (bass), and Cotter Ellis (vocals, drums) — has announced dates for its 2026 tour.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Atlanta native Zac Brown founded the Zac Brown Band in 2002 and built a following through heavy touring, playing country and rock clubs as well as jam band festivals.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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