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 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
In a career spanning six decades, Weir was key to developing the Grateful Dead from garden-variety psychedelic rockers as the Warlocks to godfathers of the jam band genre.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
Weir responded by developing a style unlike any previous rock guitarist, and one that even most contemporary jam bands can’t replicate.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Weir and the Dead influenced a new generation of jam bands, including Phish, Widespread Panic and Goose.
—Adam Levine, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Bob Weir, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, whose songs about sunshine daydreams and truckin’ helped turn the jam band into a 60-year musical empire, has died at age 78.
—Richard Gehr, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
The jam band movement had taken shape, and Weir would remain firmly a part of it.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the iconic jam band Phish, an improvisational hydra that has made a four-decade career out of free forms like psychedelic rock and jazz fusion.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
In a career spanning six decades, Weir was key to developing the Grateful Dead from garden-variety psychedelic rockers as the Warlocks to godfathers of the jam band genre.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Jan. 2026
Weir responded by developing a style unlike any previous rock guitarist, and one that even most contemporary jam bands can’t replicate.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Weir and the Dead influenced a new generation of jam bands, including Phish, Widespread Panic and Goose.
—Adam Levine, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Bob Weir, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, whose songs about sunshine daydreams and truckin’ helped turn the jam band into a 60-year musical empire, has died at age 78.
—Richard Gehr, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026
The jam band movement had taken shape, and Weir would remain firmly a part of it.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the iconic jam band Phish, an improvisational hydra that has made a four-decade career out of free forms like psychedelic rock and jazz fusion.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
