jam session

noun

: an often impromptu performance by a group especially of jazz musicians that is characterized by improvisation

Examples of jam session in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web On Monday nights, there’s traditional Irish dancing, and Sunday Irish jam sessions. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 There are also master classes, live interviews with artists, swing dancing and a midnight jam session. Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos celebrated his ninth anniversary hosting concerts and weekly jam sessions at Balboa Park’s Panama 66, while his Young Lions Jazz Academy at Liberty Station marked its sixth anniversary. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2023 Spread across three LPs and a triple gatefold jacket, the reissue has the original album spread across two slabs of vinyl instead of the original one for higher fidelity, then tags on a bonus LP wih alternate versions of key tracks on one side and a few very loose studio jam sessions on the flip. Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023 Jayne and Perez create a clear visual language for the world, with a garage jam session expanding out into a broader world and granting the audience a useful lens to understand the context of why characters break into song. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2024 Its three days of performances, workshops and late-night jam sessions from Friday, Feb. 2 to Sunday, Feb. 4, are a chance to disconnect from the everyday and get fully plugged into the spirit of music. Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024 Minton’s in Harlem was where jazz musicians, from out-of-towners to locals performing in nearby big band theaters in Harlem, sought refuge during late-night jam sessions and a new genre, bebop, was born. Mia Jackson, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2024 In November, top flutist Holly Hofmann marked the first anniversary of her free weekly Sunday afternoon jazz concerts and jam sessions at Tio Leo’s in Bay Park. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jam session.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

jam entry 3

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jam session was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near jam session

Cite this Entry

“Jam session.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam%20session. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jam session

noun
: an informal performance by a group of musicians (as jazz musicians) who often invite visitors to join in

More from Merriam-Webster on jam session

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