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

This 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

… Moon Taxi embodies the best of the jam band aesthetic: positive, bright, challenging and fun.—

Ann Powers

—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun

Gov't Mule brought a refreshing oomph to … the jam-band scene.—

Matt Wake

Examples of jam band in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Per tradition, the festival will two shows by jam band icons the String Cheese Incident, who play the festival every year. —

Katie Bain, Billboard, 3 Dec. 2024 Again, this somewhat ragged rendition isn’t equal to the multi-layered studio version or live ones heard on bootlegs; in particular, the Stills and Young interplay from a Dallas 1968 show makes the Springfield sound like the true originators of the jam band concept. —

David Browne, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2024 Max Creek Infinity Music Hall, 20 Greenwoods Road West, Norfolk Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford One of the supreme New England jam bands, Max Creek, does a two-night stand on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. —

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Nov. 2024 Lesh, the legendary jam band’s bassist, died on October 25th at 84. —

Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024 Your annoying friend who won’t shut up about Phish has a point: The 40-year-old jam band with its intensely dedicated following is in an incredible groove right now. —

Jordan Hoffman, Vulture, 12 July 2024 Phil Lesh, the bassist and founding member of the ultimate San Francisco jam band The Grateful Dead, died today. —

Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 Together, the group released 13 studio albums and dozens of live albums, making their name as one of the greatest jam bands to ever play. —

Rachel Desantis, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Lesh is best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead, one of the most beloved and enduring jam bands in the world. —

Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024