35 recurring jazz jam sessions in New York City, 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 NYC
Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Afternoon Jam in the Cafe
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: A different host each day on piano or guitar, for example Saul Rubin (Mon), Panas Athanatos (Fri, Oct 16), Samuel Lerner (Sat)
- How it runs: It's held in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No music charge in the cafe from 12 to 5 PM, one-drink minimum
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
One Monday a month, usually the fourth
JFA Monday Night Jam
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
National Jazz Museum in Harlem · 58 W 129th St, Harlem
- Host: Jazz Foundation of America
- How it runs: If you want to play, arrive early to sign up. It ends promptly.
- Cover: Free
- For bass players: The house band is led by bassist Kim Clarke.
- Good to know: Next dates: Oct 26 at the museum, then a Nov 23 holiday jam at a location to be announced.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday
Jazz in the Basement and Jam
8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Sour Mouse · 110 Delancey St, Lower East Side
- Host: Charles Colizza (guitar) and Trevor Robertson
- How it runs: The house band plays first. After 9:30 the jam opens to singers and instrumentalists of all levels.
- Cover: No cover
- For bass players: Co-host Trevor Robertson plays bass in the house band.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Monday of most months
Vandojam Session
9:00 PM to late
Zinc Bar · 82 W 3rd St, Greenwich Village
- Host: Vandoren-sponsored, with a featured act (Oct 5: Mark Gross; Dec 7: Vandoren Holiday Sax Section)
- How it runs: The featured act plays a 7 PM show, then the jam runs from 9 until late.
- Cover: No cover for the jam; the 7 PM show is $35
- Good to know: No jam on Monday, Nov 2 (it's a regular show that night). The next one listed is Dec 7, so check the venue's calendar.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday
Monday Nights at Filthy Diamond
9:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Filthy Diamond · 679 Knickerbocker Ave, Bushwick, Brooklyn
- Host: Matei Predescu (piano)
- How it runs: A set at 9 PM, then the jam from 10:30.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Jam in the Cafe
10:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: Marc Devine (Sun), Wilfie Williams (Mon), Yago Vazquez (Tue), all on piano
- How it runs: A late jam in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No cover for the jam itself, host Wilfie Williams told us (the ticketed sets before it have a charge). The venue has a one-drink minimum.
Venue listing Checked October 9, 2026
Every night except Tuesday
Set and Session
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM (later Thu to Sat)
Close Up · 154 Orchard St, Lower East Side
- Host: A different bandleader each night
- How it runs: The night's listed band plays a set, then the stage opens for the jam.
- Cover: Ticketed, with a one-drink minimum
- Good to know: Times by night: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10:30 PM to 1 AM. Thursday 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Friday and Saturday 11:30 PM to 2 AM.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday
Monday Night Sessions at The Keep
10:30 PM to about 1:00 AM
The Keep · 2-05 Cypress Ave, Ridgewood, Queens
- Host: Ryan Weisheit (sax) and friends
- How it runs: The band plays the first set, and the jam is the second set.
- Cover: No cover
- Good to know: Cash-only bar.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday to Thursday
Smalls Late-Night Jam Session
11:45 PM to 4:00 AM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates by night. October: Mike Boone or Adam Ray (Mon), Kyle Colina or Jason Clotter (Tue), Carlos Abadie (Wed), Matt Snow or Greg Glassman (Thu)
- How it runs: It starts after the club's last set, with that night's host leading the band.
- Cover: No cover for musicians, one drink per person per set
- For bass players: Mike Boone, Kyle Colina, Jason Clotter and Matt Snow all host on bass.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Tuesday jazz jams in NYC
Every Tuesday
Barry Harris Institute Lesson and Jam Session
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: Richard Clements (piano)
- How it runs: A piano lesson at 2 PM, then the jam in the cafe from 3.
- Cover: Free lesson, no cafe music charge before 5 PM
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Tuesday
The WaHi Weekly Jam
7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Kismat Indian Restaurant · 603 Fort Washington Ave (at W 187th St), Washington Heights
- Host: Jazz WaHi house band: Louise Rogers (voice), Mark Kross (piano), Jeff Potter (drums)
- How it runs: There's no long opening set, so the jam starts when you arrive.
- Cover: No cover, no minimum
- For bass players: John Loehrke plays bass in the house band.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Tuesday
Bar Bayeux Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Bar Bayeux · 1066 Nostrand Ave, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
- Host: Rotating house band. Oct 13: Adam Kolker, Pablo Menares, Diego Voglino. Oct 20: Gilad Hekselman, Ugonna Okegwo, Diego Voglino. Oct 27: Joe Magnarelli, Victor Gould, Ugonna Okegwo, Diego Voglino
- How it runs: The house band plays a set, then the jam. Singers and instrumentalists are welcome.
- Cover: No cover, one-drink minimum, donations in the hat
- For bass players: House bass provided.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Tuesday
The Lost and Found Tuesday Jam
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The Lost and Found · 372 8th Ave, Chelsea
- Host: Stefano Doglioni Group (Doglioni on clarinet)
- How it runs: New and returning musicians are welcome every week.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Tuesday
The Penny Sessions
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Penny Jo's · 3898 Broadway, Washington Heights
- Host: Wilfie Williams (piano)
- Cover: No cover
- Good to know: Times from the host, Wilfie Williams (Oct 9).
Venue listing Checked October 9, 2026
Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Jam in the Cafe
10:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: Marc Devine (Sun), Wilfie Williams (Mon), Yago Vazquez (Tue), all on piano
- How it runs: A late jam in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No cover for the jam itself, host Wilfie Williams told us (the ticketed sets before it have a charge). The venue has a one-drink minimum.
Venue listing Checked October 9, 2026
Every Monday to Thursday
Smalls Late-Night Jam Session
11:45 PM to 4:00 AM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates by night. October: Mike Boone or Adam Ray (Mon), Kyle Colina or Jason Clotter (Tue), Carlos Abadie (Wed), Matt Snow or Greg Glassman (Thu)
- How it runs: It starts after the club's last set, with that night's host leading the band.
- Cover: No cover for musicians, one drink per person per set
- For bass players: Mike Boone, Kyle Colina, Jason Clotter and Matt Snow all host on bass.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in NYC
Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Afternoon Jam in the Cafe
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: A different host each day on piano or guitar, for example Saul Rubin (Mon), Panas Athanatos (Fri, Oct 16), Samuel Lerner (Sat)
- How it runs: It's held in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No music charge in the cafe from 12 to 5 PM, one-drink minimum
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday, April to October
Jazz in Bennett Park
4:00 PM to 5:15 PM
Bennett Park · 525 Fort Washington Ave (southeast corner of the park), Washington Heights
- Host: Jazz WaHi: Louise Rogers (voice), Mark Kross (piano), Kaori Yamada (drums)
- How it runs: A family-friendly performance and jam. Jazz musicians of all levels are welcome to sit in.
- For bass players: Ethan O'Reilly plays bass in the house band.
- Good to know: Outdoors, weather permitting. The 2026 season ends Wednesday, Oct 28.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Second Wednesday of the month
Queer Jazz Collective Second Wednesday Jam
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Henrietta Hudson · 438 Hudson St, West Village
- Host: Queer Jazz Collective, with a different featured band each time
- How it runs: The featured band plays the first set, and players sit in on the second.
- Good to know: Sit-ins are for LGBTQ+ and women musicians.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Second Wednesday of the month (Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9)
Flushing Town Hall Jazz Jam
7:00 PM
Flushing Town Hall · 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, Queens
- Host: Carol Sudhalter, with Joe Vincent Tranchina (piano) and Scott Neumann (drums)
- How it runs: Open to pros, students, educators and serious hobbyists on any instrument, plus singers. Each month has a theme (Oct 14 is Thelonious Monk and the bebop pioneers), and the band encourages you to bring a copy of your sheet music.
- Cover: $15, $5 for members, free for jamming musicians and students
- For bass players: Eric Lemon plays bass in the house band.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
Wednesday Jamzz
7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Moondog HiFi · 119 Ingraham St, Brooklyn
- Host: A different trio or quartet each week (Oct 14: Eternal Wind Trio)
- How it runs: Doors at 5. The featured band plays around 7, and the jam starts around 9.
- Cover: Free RSVP, plus $10 per person added to your bill for the artists
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Second and fourth Wednesday of the month
Superfine Jazz Jam
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Superfine · 126 Front St, Dumbo, Brooklyn
- Host: Ray Scro (saxophone) with rotating musicians
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
Ditmars Sessions
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
The Ditty · 35-03 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, Queens
- Host: Danny Fernandez
- How it runs: Live jazz, and musicians are invited to sit in.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
Jazz Trio and Jam with Russ Nolan
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Sour Mouse · 110 Delancey St, Lower East Side
- Host: Russ Nolan (saxophone)
- How it runs: A high-level but friendly jam for pros and advanced students.
- Cover: No cover
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
Wednesday Jazz at FIB Tattoo Bar
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
FIB Tattoo Bar · 1051 Flatbush Ave, Flatbush, Brooklyn
- Host: Agustin Grasso and Michael Vitali (curators)
- How it runs: A concert of original jazz, then a jam session.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Wednesday
Pulse Sessions
10:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Starr Bar · 214 Starr St, Bushwick, Brooklyn
- Host: Elisha Henis (multi-instrumentalist) and Cinque Kemp (drums)
- How it runs: Instrumentalists and singers are welcome, so bring your instrument.
- Style: Hip-hop and jazz
- Cover: Free
- Good to know: The venue posts one date at a time, so check its events page.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every night except Tuesday
Set and Session
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM (later Thu to Sat)
Close Up · 154 Orchard St, Lower East Side
- Host: A different bandleader each night
- How it runs: The night's listed band plays a set, then the stage opens for the jam.
- Cover: Ticketed, with a one-drink minimum
- Good to know: Times by night: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10:30 PM to 1 AM. Thursday 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Friday and Saturday 11:30 PM to 2 AM.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday to Thursday
Smalls Late-Night Jam Session
11:45 PM to 4:00 AM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates by night. October: Mike Boone or Adam Ray (Mon), Kyle Colina or Jason Clotter (Tue), Carlos Abadie (Wed), Matt Snow or Greg Glassman (Thu)
- How it runs: It starts after the club's last set, with that night's host leading the band.
- Cover: No cover for musicians, one drink per person per set
- For bass players: Mike Boone, Kyle Colina, Jason Clotter and Matt Snow all host on bass.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Thursday jazz jams in NYC
Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Afternoon Jam in the Cafe
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: A different host each day on piano or guitar, for example Saul Rubin (Mon), Panas Athanatos (Fri, Oct 16), Samuel Lerner (Sat)
- How it runs: It's held in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No music charge in the cafe from 12 to 5 PM, one-drink minimum
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Once a month (next: Thursday, Nov 5)
Tribeca Jazz Institute Jam Session
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Church Street School for Music & Art · 41 White St, Tribeca
- Host: Tribeca Jazz Institute students with rotating guest bandleaders
- How it runs: Institute students and a guest-led band perform, and the session is open to players who want to join in.
- Cover: Free, donations go to Tribeca Jazz Institute scholarships
- Good to know: Check the next date before you go.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Thursday of the month
First Thursdays Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The Hop Shoppe · 372 Van Duzer St, Staten Island
- Host: Ray Scro (saxophone)
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Most Thursdays
Marian's Jam Session
8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Marian's · 108 Patchen Ave, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
- Host: Matt La Von (sax), with drummer Ben Freidkin and rotating regulars
- How it runs: It's in the back room and usually runs straight through without breaks.
- Cover: No cover
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Thursday
WMC Jam Session
9:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Williamsburg Music Center · 367 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- Host: Gerry Eastman, the club's owner
- Cover: $25 general admission, with cheaper musicians' tickets on the venue's Eventbrite
- Good to know: 21 and over. Tickets are listed only through Thursday, Oct 15, and the venue also has a Rogerst Charles show at 9:30 PM that night, so check before going on the 15th.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Most Thursdays
OffCity with Patrick Chan
9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
OffCity · 32-11 Broadway, Astoria, Queens
- Host: Patrick Chan (drums)
- How it runs: A house set at 9, then a jam session to finish the night.
- Cover: No cover
- Good to know: It's billed for the first three Thursdays of the month but listed for every Thursday, so check before going on a 4th or 5th Thursday.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every night except Tuesday
Set and Session
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM (later Thu to Sat)
Close Up · 154 Orchard St, Lower East Side
- Host: A different bandleader each night
- How it runs: The night's listed band plays a set, then the stage opens for the jam.
- Cover: Ticketed, with a one-drink minimum
- Good to know: Times by night: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10:30 PM to 1 AM. Thursday 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Friday and Saturday 11:30 PM to 2 AM.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday to Thursday
Smalls Late-Night Jam Session
11:45 PM to 4:00 AM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates by night. October: Mike Boone or Adam Ray (Mon), Kyle Colina or Jason Clotter (Tue), Carlos Abadie (Wed), Matt Snow or Greg Glassman (Thu)
- How it runs: It starts after the club's last set, with that night's host leading the band.
- Cover: No cover for musicians, one drink per person per set
- For bass players: Mike Boone, Kyle Colina, Jason Clotter and Matt Snow all host on bass.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Friday jazz jams in NYC
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Smalls Afternoon Jam Session
2:00 PM to 5:15 PM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates. Fridays and Saturdays: Andrew Kushnir, Marc Devine, Carol Morgan, Steve Nelson, Tyler Mitchell or David Sandman. Sundays: Ryo Sasaki
- How it runs: The host leads a rhythm section, and all musicians are welcome to play.
- Cover: No cover
- For bass players: Bill Crow is listed on bass for Sunday, Oct 11.
- Good to know: No session on Saturday, Oct 31.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Afternoon Jam in the Cafe
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: A different host each day on piano or guitar, for example Saul Rubin (Mon), Panas Athanatos (Fri, Oct 16), Samuel Lerner (Sat)
- How it runs: It's held in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No music charge in the cafe from 12 to 5 PM, one-drink minimum
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Friday, plus some Saturdays (in October: the 10th and 24th)
One Flight Up Jazz Jam
10:00 PM to close
One Flight Up · 108 Greenwich St, 2nd floor, Lower Manhattan
- Host: Matt Snow (Fridays), Vlad Redzic (October Saturdays)
- How it runs: The jam follows the main act, and you don't need a reservation for it.
- Cover: No cover, one-drink minimum
- For bass players: Friday host Matt Snow is a jazz bassist.
- Good to know: Minors must come with a parent and can't sit at the bar.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every night except Tuesday
Set and Session
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM (later Thu to Sat)
Close Up · 154 Orchard St, Lower East Side
- Host: A different bandleader each night
- How it runs: The night's listed band plays a set, then the stage opens for the jam.
- Cover: Ticketed, with a one-drink minimum
- Good to know: Times by night: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10:30 PM to 1 AM. Thursday 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Friday and Saturday 11:30 PM to 2 AM.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Saturday jazz jams in NYC
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Smalls Afternoon Jam Session
2:00 PM to 5:15 PM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates. Fridays and Saturdays: Andrew Kushnir, Marc Devine, Carol Morgan, Steve Nelson, Tyler Mitchell or David Sandman. Sundays: Ryo Sasaki
- How it runs: The host leads a rhythm section, and all musicians are welcome to play.
- Cover: No cover
- For bass players: Bill Crow is listed on bass for Sunday, Oct 11.
- Good to know: No session on Saturday, Oct 31.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Afternoon Jam in the Cafe
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: A different host each day on piano or guitar, for example Saul Rubin (Mon), Panas Athanatos (Fri, Oct 16), Samuel Lerner (Sat)
- How it runs: It's held in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No music charge in the cafe from 12 to 5 PM, one-drink minimum
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Second and last Saturday of the month
Broadway Dive Set and Session
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Broadway Dive · 2662 Broadway, Upper West Side
- Host: Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman Quartet
- How it runs: The house band plays 8 to 9 PM, then the session runs 9 to 10.
- Cover: No cover
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Friday, plus some Saturdays (in October: the 10th and 24th)
One Flight Up Jazz Jam
10:00 PM to close
One Flight Up · 108 Greenwich St, 2nd floor, Lower Manhattan
- Host: Matt Snow (Fridays), Vlad Redzic (October Saturdays)
- How it runs: The jam follows the main act, and you don't need a reservation for it.
- Cover: No cover, one-drink minimum
- For bass players: Friday host Matt Snow is a jazz bassist.
- Good to know: Minors must come with a parent and can't sit at the bar.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every night except Tuesday
Set and Session
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM (later Thu to Sat)
Close Up · 154 Orchard St, Lower East Side
- Host: A different bandleader each night
- How it runs: The night's listed band plays a set, then the stage opens for the jam.
- Cover: Ticketed, with a one-drink minimum
- Good to know: Times by night: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10:30 PM to 1 AM. Thursday 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Friday and Saturday 11:30 PM to 2 AM.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Sunday jazz jams in NYC
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Smalls Afternoon Jam Session
2:00 PM to 5:15 PM
Smalls Jazz Club · 183 W 10th St, Manhattan
- Host: Rotates. Fridays and Saturdays: Andrew Kushnir, Marc Devine, Carol Morgan, Steve Nelson, Tyler Mitchell or David Sandman. Sundays: Ryo Sasaki
- How it runs: The host leads a rhythm section, and all musicians are welcome to play.
- Cover: No cover
- For bass players: Bill Crow is listed on bass for Sunday, Oct 11.
- Good to know: No session on Saturday, Oct 31.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Sunday
Jorei Jazz and Jam
3:00 PM to 6:45 PM
Sour Mouse · 110 Delancey St, Lower East Side
- Host: Katherine Joyce-Reilly and Johnny Johnson (Jazz by Jorei)
- How it runs: The venue bills it as a Sunday afternoon of jazz and a jam, with performances by singers and musicians. RSVP is free.
- Cover: No cover, one-drink minimum
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Sunday
Ba'sik Jazz Jam Session
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Kato Sake Works · 379 Troutman St, Bushwick, Brooklyn
- Host: Matt La Von (saxophone)
- How it runs: Sign the sheet on the table to the left of the door, or introduce yourself to the leader. Players get called up from about 7:30 with no long house band set first, and it's an organized, all-levels jam on jazz standards.
- Cover: No cover
- Good to know: It moved here in 2026. The host's own website still lists the old bar, Mommy's (formerly Ba'sik).
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Once a month, usually on a Sunday
Queens College Jazz Jam
8:00 PM
Terraza 7 · 40-19 Gleane St, Elmhurst, Queens
- Host: Queens College jazz program
- How it runs: For emerging and established jazz musicians.
- Cover: $20 cover (mezzanine), free for Queens College jazz students
- For bass players: Boris Kozlev played bass in the house band on Sep 13.
- Good to know: The date changes and no October date is posted yet, so check the venue's calendar before going.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Usually the second Sunday of the month
Ridgewood Jazz Monthly Jam
8:00 PM
Dada Bar · 60-47 Myrtle Ave, Ridgewood, Queens
- Host: Ridgewood Jazz, curated by Mike Feinberg
- How it runs: Oct 11 is a special edition, with a talk and a live drum and bass set before the jam.
- Cover: Donation at the door (Oct 11), no one turned away
- Good to know: Not every month has a jam, so check Ridgewood Jazz on Instagram before going. Oct 11 is all ages.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Jam in the Cafe
10:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Jazzcultural · 349 W 46th St, Restaurant Row
- Host: Marc Devine (Sun), Wilfie Williams (Mon), Yago Vazquez (Tue), all on piano
- How it runs: A late jam in the club's front cafe.
- Cover: No cover for the jam itself, host Wilfie Williams told us (the ticketed sets before it have a charge). The venue has a one-drink minimum.
Venue listing Checked October 9, 2026
Every night except Tuesday
Set and Session
10:30 PM to 1:00 AM (later Thu to Sat)
Close Up · 154 Orchard St, Lower East Side
- Host: A different bandleader each night
- How it runs: The night's listed band plays a set, then the stage opens for the jam.
- Cover: Ticketed, with a one-drink minimum
- Good to know: Times by night: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 10:30 PM to 1 AM. Thursday 10:30 PM to 2 AM. Friday and Saturday 11:30 PM to 2 AM.
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 NYC?
As of October 9, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (9), Tuesday (7), Wednesday (12), Thursday (8), Friday (4), Saturday (5) and Sunday (7). 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.