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The jam-band musical style, spawned from the psychedelic rock movement of the 1960s, was a feature of nationally famed groups such as the Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band, whose regular touring schedules continued into the 1990s.
- Grateful Dead
- Blues Traveler
- Leftover Salmon
- Dave Matthews Band
- Allman Brothers Band
- Phish
- Widespread Panic
- Umphrey’s Mcgee
- Béla Fleck and The Flecktones
- Santana
The Grateful Deadis hands down the most popular jam band of all time. This American rock band brought improvisational psychedelic music to broad audiences. They had few radio hits, but their concerts drew huge crowds. This group started playing in Bay Area ensembles like Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions. Their most popular song, “Casey Jones,” ...
Next up, we have Blues Traveler, a group from New Jersey who are well-known to use segue during their live performances. Formed in 1987, the members now consist of John Popper, Chan Kinchla, Brendan Hill, Tad Kinchla, and Ben Wilson. Fans love their music blend of southern rock, blues, and folk, as well as their constant improv during live shows. E...
With a name like Leftover Salmon, you can bet that this group has an equally unique fusion of sounds—bluegrass, rock, and Cajun. Performing in music festivals in California, Colorado, and West Virginia gained the jam band a loyal following. In 2002, one of the founding members and banjoist, Mark Vann, passed away due to throat cancer. The group nev...
Our next group, the Dave Matthews Band, held their debut show at a Middle East Children’s Alliance Benefit in March 1991. Later that year, they were featured at a private party rooftop gathering and soon became known for their unique live shows and their jamming style. In 1994, the band’s debut album, Under the Table and Dreaming, was so well-recei...
The Florida band Allman Brothers Bandhad a trademark twin-lead guitar sound, played by Duane Allman and Dickey Betts. This group was one of the first jam bands to find radio success with lengthy jam tracks like “Whipping Post.” They began their career touring Florida and Georgia, and their debut album caught the attention of passive listeners and c...
American rock band Phishplayed local gigs in northern New England during the early months of 1988. They soon met their manager, John Paluska, at Nectar’s show and began traveling the Northeast. Throughout their career, Phish experimented with funk, progressive rock, reggae, psychedelic rock, country, jazz, and more. Their constant improvisation dur...
Formed in 1986 in Georgia, Widespread Panic came together at the University of Georgia in 1981 and signed a contract in 1987. By 1991, they were opening for the band Little Women and released Widespread Panic, which caught the public’s attention. Though the band has been compared to other jam bands like Phish and Grateful Dead, their blues-rock, fu...
From South Bend, Indiana, we have Umphrey’s McGee. This 1990s band uses improvisational jazz even more than older jam bands such as the Grateful Dead. They’re known to blend various genres, moods, and tempos throughout their albums and, sometimes, within one song. Their eighth studio album, Similar Skin, ranked higher than any of their other albums...
Formed in 1988, Tenneessean jam band Béla Fleck and the Flecktoneswas created for a gig on a PBS TV series. Afterward, Fleck decided to keep the group. Known for mixing jazz, progressive, and bluegrass music, their first album put them on the map with a Grammy nomination. The group has been applauded for their innovative playing style, particularly...
Who would have thought that the Latin-influenced band Santanawould be a jam band? But they are. Hailing from San Francisco, Santana is a psychedelic jam band that has added several unique touches to their music, including Latin and African polyrhythms and blues-rock. They flew under the radar for a few years until they played at the Woodstock Festi...
Dive into the world of jam band with our detailed guide. Discover the most popular artists and landmark songs that define jam band. Ideal for enthusiasts and newcomers, this page offers insights and highlights to enhance your festival experience.
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- Grateful Dead. 1,417 votes. As pioneers of the Jam Band genre, Grateful Dead's improvisational approach to live performances has solidified their reputation as one of the most influential bands in history.
- The Allman Brothers Band. 1,200 votes. Formed in 1969, The Allman Brothers Band are widely recognized for their innovative blend of Southern rock, jazz, and blues.
- Phish. 1,344 votes. Hailing from Vermont, Phish has been carrying the torch for improvisational rock since 1983. Often compared to Grateful Dead due to their dedicated fanbase and lengthy live shows, Phish has crafted a unique sound that incorporates elements from rock, jazz, funk, progressive rock, and bluegrass.
- Widespread Panic. 913 votes. Widespread Panic emerged from Athens, Georgia in 1986 as a force to be reckoned with in the Jam Band scene. Their innovative fusion of Southern rock, blues, and jazz has earned them a dedicated fanbase that relishes the band's ability to create transcendent live performances.
Find Jam Bands Albums, Artists and Songs, and Hand-Picked Top Jam Bands Music on AllMusic.
A jam band is a musical group that emphasizes live performances, often characterized by extended instrumental solos and improvisation. These bands typically blend various genres such as rock, jazz, blues, and folk, creating a unique sound that evolves during each performance.
Feb 24, 2014 · Put simply a jam band is a rock band that focuses on creating unique concert performances for every show. Set lists vary from night to night and songs often serve as sketches for musical exploration rather than as defined structures.
