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
Set in the enchanted forests of Michigan, this festival offers a kaleidoscope of lights, immersive art installations, and a lineup that spans jam bands to electronic beats.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
Electric Forest, Michigan’s notable electronic and jam band festival, has also seen a slowdown in sales, igniting more concern over the landscape overall.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
Creamery Station and Drop Party Park City Music Hall, 2926 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport
Two Connecticut groove/jam bands take the stage at Park City Music Hall.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
That night, at a performance by the jam band that one of his wife’s friends had invited him to attend near Denver, Colorado, Clements dropped acid for the first time in well over a decade.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
While the 800-acre park is known for hosting festivals throughout the year — from bluegrass to jam bands and DJs — Hulaween is its most popular.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2025
Among the nominees who failed to make the final cut this year are Oasis, the Britpop standard-bearers who have reunited for perhaps this year’s most in-demand world tour, and Phish, the veteran Vermont jam band.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Fans will have to wait until Sunday (April 27) to find out if Phish makes it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year on its first try, but the veteran jam band’s enthusiasts showed their support.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
Veteran jam band Phish won the fan vote with almost 330,000 – about 50,000 more than the next highest, Bad Company – but contrary to popular belief, winning the fan vote does not guarantee induction.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
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Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
Electric Forest, Michigan’s notable electronic and jam band festival, has also seen a slowdown in sales, igniting more concern over the landscape overall.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
Creamery Station and Drop Party Park City Music Hall, 2926 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport
Two Connecticut groove/jam bands take the stage at Park City Music Hall.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
That night, at a performance by the jam band that one of his wife’s friends had invited him to attend near Denver, Colorado, Clements dropped acid for the first time in well over a decade.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
While the 800-acre park is known for hosting festivals throughout the year — from bluegrass to jam bands and DJs — Hulaween is its most popular.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2025
Among the nominees who failed to make the final cut this year are Oasis, the Britpop standard-bearers who have reunited for perhaps this year’s most in-demand world tour, and Phish, the veteran Vermont jam band.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Fans will have to wait until Sunday (April 27) to find out if Phish makes it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year on its first try, but the veteran jam band’s enthusiasts showed their support.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
Veteran jam band Phish won the fan vote with almost 330,000 – about 50,000 more than the next highest, Bad Company – but contrary to popular belief, winning the fan vote does not guarantee induction.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jam band.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20band. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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