5 recurring jazz jam sessions in Amsterdam, sorted by night. We checked each one against the venue’s own website, calendar or ticket page on October 8, 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 Amsterdam
Once a month, on a Monday
A Beautiful Mess Jazz Jam
21:00 to 23:00
A Beautiful Mess · Oosterdokskade 227, Oosterdok
- Host: Conservatorium van Amsterdam with A Beautiful Mess (host TBA)
- How it runs: Musicians invited by the Conservatorium play first, then it opens up into a jam.
- Cover: Free and open to all
- Good to know: It's billed as every second Monday of the month, but the next listed date, Monday 19 Oct, is a third Monday, and September's session started at 19:30. Check the date and time before you go.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Tuesday jazz jams in Amsterdam
Every Tuesday
BIMHUIS Tuesday Jam
22:00 to 00:30
BIMHUIS · Piet Heinkade 3, Oostelijk Havengebied
- Host: Jasper Blom (saxophone)
- How it runs: It's held in the BIMHUIS café, which opens at 21:30. Players are a mix of international, young and established talent, pros and up-and-comers.
- Cover: Free for audience and musicians
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in Amsterdam
Every Wednesday
Wednesday Jazz Night and Jam
21:00 to 01:00
Sociëteit De Kring · Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 7-9, Leidseplein
- Host: Curated by Benjamin Herman, according to the club. Timothy Banchet (piano) and his band open on 14 and 28 Oct 2026.
- How it runs: A featured band plays an opening set, then the jam session starts. Tickets are sold at the door.
- Cover: €12.50; €5 with a student card; free for Kring members and for jam players
- Good to know: De Kring is a members' club, but the Wednesday jazz night is open to the public.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Friday jazz jams in Amsterdam
Every Friday
Friday Night Live
20:00 to 23:00
Contra Amsterdam · Oudezijds Achterburgwal 235, De Wallen
- Host: A different featured artist each week: Jacob Artved (9 Oct), Linus Eppinger and a mystery guest (16 Oct), Ikigai (23 Oct), Egle Petrosiute (30 Oct)
- How it runs: The featured artist plays an opening set from 20:00 to 21:30, then the jam runs from 21:30 to 23:00.
- Cover: Free if you bring your instrument. Otherwise a regular, student (students or 25 and under) or dinner ticket, which includes a table reservation.
- Good to know: Dates are only listed through 30 Oct so far, so check the ticket page for November.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Sunday jazz jams in Amsterdam
Every Sunday
Café De Engelbewaarder Jazz Jam
16:30 to 19:00
Café De Engelbewaarder · Kloveniersburgwal 59, Nieuwmarkt
- Host: House trio with Leo Bouwmeester (piano) and Victor de Boo (drums), plus a different guest each week
- How it runs: The house trio and the week's guest open with a set, then other players are invited to sit in. The trio arranges who plays.
- Cover: Free
- For bass players: Jacko Schoonderwoerd plays double bass in the house trio.
- Good to know: There's no session in July.
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 Amsterdam?
As of October 8, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (1), Tuesday (1), Wednesday (1), Friday (1) and Sunday (1). 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 8, 2026.