20 recurring jazz jam sessions in the San Francisco Bay Area, sorted by night. We checked each one against the venue’s own website, calendar or ticket page on October 9, 2026. Jam nights move, so open the venue’s listing before you head out. New to jams? Read how to sit in. Another city? Search the whole map.
Monday jazz jams in the Bay Area
Every Monday
Waystone Jazz Jam
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Waystone · 1609 Powell St, North Beach
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
One Monday a month through May 2027: Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 14, Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22, Apr 12, May 24
SFJAM Community Jam
7:00 PM
SFJAZZ Center (Joe Henderson Lab) · 201 Franklin St, Hayes Valley
- Host: A different musical director each session (Oct 19: Marcus Shelby; Nov 16: Terrence Brewer; Dec 14: Kasey Knudsen)
- How it runs: Each session has a musical director and a song list posted on its page (Oct 19 is all Monk). Musicians of all levels and ages sign up in advance through SFJAZZ's links; listeners don't need tickets.
- Cover: Free
- For bass players: Marcus Shelby, who leads Oct 19, plays bass.
- Good to know: Some sessions move to Miner Auditorium. The Mar 22 and Apr 12 sessions are for more advanced players.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Third Monday of the month
Comedy Jazz Jam
7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
The Marsh Berkeley Cabaret · 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley
- Host: The Marshens
- How it runs: The Marshens open with a 30-minute comedy set, then it opens up to the jam. Jazz players and singers of all ages and levels are welcome.
- Cover: Pay what you can, no one turned away
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday
Dirty Works Jazz Night
8:00 PM to 1:30 AM
Persona · 685 Sutter St, Nob Hill
- Host: Kyle Finley and the Dirty Works Jazz Band
- How it runs: No need to sign up, just introduce yourself to the house band. All levels and singers are welcome.
- Cover: No cover
- For bass players: The host plays upright bass all night.
- Good to know: 21+ only. It runs past midnight into Tuesday morning.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday during Stanford's school terms
CoHo Jams
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
CoHo (Stanford Coffee House) · 459 Lagunita Dr, Stanford
- Host: Stanford Jazz Workshop
- How it runs: Open to anyone who wants to play or just listen.
- Cover: Free admission
- Good to know: It takes breaks between terms, and the listed fall dates run through Nov 9.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Tuesday jazz jams in the Bay Area
First Tuesday of the month
Smith Dobson's Jazz Special
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe · 12 William Saroyan Pl, North Beach
- Host: Smith Dobson and his quartet
- How it runs: Open to all musicians, so bring your instrument.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Tuesday
Honor Jazz Jam
8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Honor Kitchen & Cocktails · 1411 Powell St, Emeryville
- Host: Isaac Schwartz and Chris Aschman
- How it runs: A quartet plays a set up front, then musicians from the community sit in.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in the Bay Area
Every Wednesday
OAH Jazz Jam
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Ocean Ale House · 1314 Ocean Ave, Ingleside
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
William Johnston Jazz Jam
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Poor House Bistro · 317 Sharks Way, San Jose
- Host: William Johnston
- How it runs: A different guest and guest brewery are billed each week. Wednesday is also $2 beer night.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
Jazz Jams at Jupiter
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Jupiter · 2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
- Host: Jazzschool faculty Erik Jekabson and Remee Ashley with a professional house band
- How it runs: Open to all players. Bring your instrument.
- Cover: Free
- Good to know: Outdoors in Jupiter's courtyard. All ages.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Third Wednesday of the month (maybe the 4th and 5th too, see below)
Lucky Horseshoe Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 11:30 PM
The Lucky Horseshoe · 453 Cortland Ave, Bernal Heights
- Host: Jon Venker (keys) and Tim Shea (drums)
- Style: Organ jam
- Good to know: The venue's calendar lists the third Wednesday. Kyle Finley, who used to host it, told us on Oct 9 that it now runs on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays, 8 to 11 PM. Check the venue's calendar before you go. The first Wednesday is a separate blues jam.
Venue listing Checked October 9, 2026
Every Wednesday
Stookey's Blue Room Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Stookey's Blue Room · 891 Bush St
- Host: Rotating house band leader (October: drummer Jaycie Grady, trombonist Carlo Rabano, trumpeter Lucas Davis)
- How it runs: A drop-in jam with a house band. No reservation needed.
- Cover: No cover; $5 to $10 donation requested for the house band
- Good to know: 21+ only. Each guest and musician is expected to buy two drinks or spend $20.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Thursday jazz jams in the Bay Area
Select Thursdays (October: 8, 15 and 29)
Mercury Cafe Thursday Jazz Jam
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Mercury Cafe · 201 Octavia Blvd, Hayes Valley
- Host: Elaine Alt (sax) with a rotating house band
- How it runs: Sit in with the house band. Players can also get in touch with the host about sitting in on nights that aren't billed as a jam.
- Cover: No cover
- For bass players: October house bassists: Caroline Chung (Oct 8) and Rob Bassinette (Oct 15); none listed for Oct 29.
- Good to know: Other Thursdays are booked bands, so check the host's schedule for jam dates.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Thursday
Dirty Works Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Paris 75 · 515 Broadway, North Beach
- Host: Kyle Finley and the Dirty Works Jazz Band
- How it runs: No need to sign up, just introduce yourself to the house band.
- For bass players: In October the host's calendar has Kyle Finley on bass for the burlesque nights and lists the bass chair as to be decided on the other Thursdays.
- Good to know: On the first and third Thursdays it's the Jam & Burlesque Show: a dancer performs during the 9 PM set and the band keeps jamming between dances.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Friday jazz jams in the Bay Area
First Friday of the month
SJZ Break Room Jazz Jam
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
SJZ Break Room (San Jose Jazz) · 310 S First St, San Jose
- Host: San Jose Jazz
- How it runs: Two band sets come first (SJZ U19s, then the Michael Webster Quartet), and the jam starts at 7. Bring your instrument and sign up, or just drop in.
- Cover: Free admission
- Good to know: All ages. It's part of South First Fridays.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Saturday jazz jams in the Bay Area
Last Saturday of the month
Last Saturday Jazz Jam
1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Hayes Valley Art Works · 295 Oak St, Hayes Valley
- Host: Babs Early (vocals and emcee), with house band Don Ferguson (guitar), AC Lewis (drums), Richard Cáceres (keys)
- How it runs: Sign up in advance at tinyurl.com/JazzJamSignup to be called first, for one tune or more if time allows. Bring tunes that are in iReal, since paper charts don't work well outdoors in the wind. Singers welcome.
- Cover: $10 suggested for players, $10 to $20 for listeners, no one turned away
- For bass players: Carl Herder plays bass in the house band.
- Good to know: Outdoors in the garden (enter on Oak or Lily St), weather permitting, so check the venue's Instagram the morning of.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Sunday jazz jams in the Bay Area
Last Sunday of the month
Vince Lateano Trio Jam Session
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Bird & Beckett Books & Records · 653 Chenery St, Glen Park
- Host: Vince Lateano Trio (Vince Lateano, drums; Ben Stolorow, piano)
- How it runs: The trio hosts an open jam for everyone from seasoned locals to newcomers and people just passing through.
- Cover: Happy hour sliding scale
- For bass players: Peter Barshay plays bass in the house trio.
- Good to know: In November 2026 it moves to Sunday, Nov 22 (the fourth Sunday).
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Sunday of the month
Next Gen Jam
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Bird & Beckett Books & Records · 653 Chenery St, Glen Park
- Host: A different local youth band each month (Nov 1: Lick-Wilmerding High School Jazz Ensemble)
- How it runs: The band plays a set, then hosts a jam for their peers.
- Cover: Happy hour sliding scale
- Good to know: It's a student jam, meant for young players rather than adults.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Sunday of the month
Video Game Music Jazz Jam
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Ocean Ale House · 1314 Ocean Ave, Ingleside
- Host: Ultra Combo
- How it runs: The house band plays a set, then leads a guided jam anyone can join. It's set up to welcome younger players and people new to jamming.
- Style: Video game music
- For bass players: John Harris plays bass in the house band.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Sunday
Sunday B3 Sessions
9:00 PM to close
Madrone Art Bar · 500 Divisadero St
- Host: Adam Shulman and Mike Olmos
- How it runs: The hosts play a set, then a jam session follows.
- Style: Soul jazz on B3 organ
- Cover: No cover
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Before you sit in
Jam etiquette
- A1Use the sign-up sheet if there is one, and ask to sit in. If a bassist is already on the stand, ask: “Hey, is it cool if I play?”
- A2Don’t push to the front. In Will’s words: “Don’t try to always be the first one to play. Don’t kick anybody off especially if nobody knows you.”
- A3Time your walk. When Will hears the band “playing the head out of the song,” that’s when he starts making his way up.
From lesson 5 of From Unknown to Unavailable. All five tips
Go deeper
From Unknown to Unavailable
A field manual from NYC bassist Will Lyle for bassists who can play but aren't getting the call, and don't know why.
FAQ
Which nights have jazz jams in the Bay Area?
As of October 9, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (5), Tuesday (2), Wednesday (5), Thursday (2), Friday (1), Saturday (1) and Sunday (4). Check the venue listing on the day you go, since nights change.
How do I sit in at a jazz jam as a bass player?
Put your name on the sign-up sheet if there is one. If a bassist is already playing, ask if you can take a tune. Don’t try to go first every time, and don’t bump anyone. New York bassist Will Lyle starts walking toward the stand when he hears the band play the head out.
Other cities
Browse every city on the Jam Finder
Better Bass Lessons isn’t connected to any venue on this page. Listings checked October 9, 2026.