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 String Cheese Incident The Colorado jam band is scheduled to play a 70-minute set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and, technically speaking, SCI could fill that entire space (and then some) with one single song.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Beloved jam band Phish are paying tribute to the victims of a gruesome stabbing that took place outside their concert at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia on Friday.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
The jam band Phish returned to Louisville for the first time in 30 years, drawing many dedicated fans.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
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
The stage had been warmed up by the always-excellent jam band Goose; their pairing with Mayer creating a Sunday demographic shift that saw the dance fans of Friday and Saturday transition to a generally older crowd.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
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Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Beloved jam band Phish are paying tribute to the victims of a gruesome stabbing that took place outside their concert at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia on Friday.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
The jam band Phish returned to Louisville for the first time in 30 years, drawing many dedicated fans.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
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
The stage had been warmed up by the always-excellent jam band Goose; their pairing with Mayer creating a Sunday demographic shift that saw the dance fans of Friday and Saturday transition to a generally older crowd.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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