7 recurring jazz jam sessions in Sapporo, sorted by night. We checked each one against the venue’s own website, calendar or ticket page on October 10, 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 Sapporo
A few times a month (Oct: Sat 10 and 24 afternoons, Mon 26 evening)
Half Note Amateur Jam Session
15:30 Saturdays; 19:30 Monday
Half Note (ハーフノート) · Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku
- Host: 豊口健 (piano) and others
- How it runs: An amateur jam. Beginners and less confident players welcome, singers and instrumentalists alike.
- Good to know: No sessions are listed for November (the venue's 25th anniversary month) or December, so check the schedule.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
About once a month on a weeknight (next: Tue 20 Oct)
Evening Vocal Session
19:00 to 22:00
Jazz Spot JERICHO (ジェリコ) · Susukino, Chuo-ku
- Host: 中島弘恵 (piano), 矢木晃 (bass)
- How it runs: A session for singers, backed by the piano and bass hosts.
- Style: Vocal session
- Cover: ¥2,000 to sing (students ¥1,500); ¥1,000 to watch (students ¥500); plus a drink
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Tuesday jazz jams in Sapporo
About once a month on a weeknight (next: Tue 20 Oct)
Evening Vocal Session
19:00 to 22:00
Jazz Spot JERICHO (ジェリコ) · Susukino, Chuo-ku
- Host: 中島弘恵 (piano), 矢木晃 (bass)
- How it runs: A session for singers, backed by the piano and bass hosts.
- Style: Vocal session
- Cover: ¥2,000 to sing (students ¥1,500); ¥1,000 to watch (students ¥500); plus a drink
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Once a month, usually the first Tuesday
D-Bop Smile Jam Session
From 19:30
"D-Bop" Jazz Club Sapporo · Nishi 18-chome, Chuo-ku
- Host: 野村千晴 (piano), 室本光貴 (bass), Tomoka (drums) on 29 Oct
- How it runs: Anyone can join. Singers and front-line players bring charts, and non-jazz songs are fine with charts.
- Cover: ¥2,000 to play or watch, plus an order
- Good to know: October's is Thu 29 Oct, and live shows can take priority, so check the calendar.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in Sapporo
Twice a month (Sun 11 Oct afternoon, Wed 21 Oct evening)
JASS915 Monthly Session
Sun 11 Oct 15:00 to 17:30; Wed 21 Oct from 20:00
live&Bar Jass915 · Susukino, Chuo-ku
- Host: 舘山健二 (drums), 厚木正秋 (piano), 秋山勝彦 (bass)
- How it runs: The venue says anyone can sit in any night it's open, and on live nights the second half opens up as a session.
- Cover: ¥2,500, 1 drink order required
- Good to know: The venue lists Sundays and holidays as closed days, so check before going on a Sunday.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Thursday jazz jams in Sapporo
Once a month, usually the first Tuesday
D-Bop Smile Jam Session
From 19:30
"D-Bop" Jazz Club Sapporo · Nishi 18-chome, Chuo-ku
- Host: 野村千晴 (piano), 室本光貴 (bass), Tomoka (drums) on 29 Oct
- How it runs: Anyone can join. Singers and front-line players bring charts, and non-jazz songs are fine with charts.
- Cover: ¥2,000 to play or watch, plus an order
- Good to know: October's is Thu 29 Oct, and live shows can take priority, so check the calendar.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Friday jazz jams in Sapporo
Once a month
Jass915 Vocal Session
From 20:00
live&Bar Jass915 · Susukino, Chuo-ku
- Host: 厚木正秋 (piano), 秋山勝彦 (bass)
- How it runs: A session for singers with a piano and bass backing.
- Style: Vocal session
- Cover: ¥2,500, 1 drink order required
- Good to know: October's was Fri 9 Oct; check the venue for the next date.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Saturday jazz jams in Sapporo
A few times a month (Oct: Sat 10 and 24 afternoons, Mon 26 evening)
Half Note Amateur Jam Session
15:30 Saturdays; 19:30 Monday
Half Note (ハーフノート) · Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku
- Host: 豊口健 (piano) and others
- How it runs: An amateur jam. Beginners and less confident players welcome, singers and instrumentalists alike.
- Good to know: No sessions are listed for November (the venue's 25th anniversary month) or December, so check the schedule.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Sunday jazz jams in Sapporo
Once a month on a Sunday, lately the second Sunday
Jericho Session
15:00 to 22:00
Jazz Spot JERICHO (ジェリコ) · Susukino, Chuo-ku
- Host: Two shifts on 11 Oct: MInoya (piano) and 松浦聖 (bass) 15:00 to 18:00; 千葉麻子 (piano) and 浅里大輝 (bass) 18:00 to 22:00
- How it runs: Come and go as often as you like.
- Cover: ¥1,500 to play (students ¥1,000) plus a drink; watching after 18:00 ¥1,000 (students ¥500)
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Twice a month (Sun 11 Oct afternoon, Wed 21 Oct evening)
JASS915 Monthly Session
Sun 11 Oct 15:00 to 17:30; Wed 21 Oct from 20:00
live&Bar Jass915 · Susukino, Chuo-ku
- Host: 舘山健二 (drums), 厚木正秋 (piano), 秋山勝彦 (bass)
- How it runs: The venue says anyone can sit in any night it's open, and on live nights the second half opens up as a session.
- Cover: ¥2,500, 1 drink order required
- Good to know: The venue lists Sundays and holidays as closed days, so check before going on a Sunday.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
First Sunday of the month
Sunday D-Bop Organ Jam
17:00 to 20:00
"D-Bop" Jazz Club Sapporo · Nishi 18-chome, Chuo-ku
- Host: 泉功一郎 (guitar), 富樫範子 (organ) on 4 Oct
- How it runs: Open to pros and amateurs. A jazz workshop with the hosts runs 15:00 to 17:00 first (¥2,000, watching free).
- Style: Organ jazz
- Cover: ¥2,000 to play or watch, plus an order
Venue listing Checked October 10, 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 Sapporo?
As of October 10, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (2), Tuesday (2), Wednesday (1), Thursday (1), Friday (1), Saturday (1) and Sunday (3). 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 10, 2026.