9 recurring jazz jam sessions in Chicago, 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 Chicago
Every Monday
The Monday Jam
7:00 PM
Le Piano · 6970 N Glenwood Ave, Rogers Park
- Host: Danny G Felix
- How it runs: A weekly jam that's open to musicians and vocalists of all kinds.
- Cover: $10
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Monday
Monday Open Jazz Jam
Check the venue for the time
Easy Does It · 2354 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square
- Host: Kabir Dalawari & Friends
- How it runs: Live jazz tunes plus an open jam session.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Tuesday jazz jams in Chicago
Second and fourth Tuesday of the month
GGT Jam
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Clara · 2027 W North Ave
- Host: Sofia Rabiela
- How it runs: A gender-inclusive jam session.
- For bass players: The host is a bassist who studied with Rodney Whitaker.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Tuesday of the month
The Whistler Jam
9:30 PM to 12:30 AM
The Whistler · 2421 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square
- Host: House band: Matt Ulery (bass), Quin Kirchner (drums)
- How it runs: The house band plays first, then it's an open jam until last call. Any and all jazz musicians are welcome.
- Cover: No cover
- Good to know: 21 and over only.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in Chicago
One Wednesday a month, October to May
Jazz Links Jam Session
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Jazz Showcase · 806 S Plymouth Ct, South Loop
- Host: Jazz Links mentors (Jazz Institute of Chicago)
- How it runs: Students sign up on site with a card listing 3 to 5 tunes they know from memory, then the host calls them up to play with the house band of pros.
- Cover: Free admission
- For bass players: Double bass and bass amp provided.
- Good to know: Only students ages 9 to 19 can play. Parents and friends can come and listen.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Wednesday of the month
Shea's Lounge Jazz Jam
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Shea's Lounge · 7841 W Grand Ave, Elmwood Park
- Host: George Aparo (drums)
- How it runs: Bring your instrument and jam over dinner and cocktails.
- Good to know: The venue's listing puts it on the patio.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Thursday jazz jams in Chicago
Every Thursday
Thursday Jazz Jam Night
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sabor a Café Niles · 6873 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles
- Host: Shelley Yoelin / Gabriel Datcu Quintet; Roy McGrath Quintet on Latin jazz nights
- How it runs: The house band plays a set, then the stage opens to the jam. Bring your instrument.
- Style: Latin jazz on most fourth Thursdays
- Cover: No cover
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Thursday of the month
Prairie Moon Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Prairie Moon · 1635 Chicago Ave, Evanston
- Host: Clark Sommers, with Chase Wilkins (drums) and Brandon Harper (keys)
- How it runs: An open jam where the house trio fills in any missing instruments. Bring your instrument; listeners are welcome too.
- For bass players: The host plays bass in the house trio.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Friday jazz jams in Chicago
Every Friday night
Green Mill Jam Session
1:00 AM to 3:30 AM
Green Mill · 4802 N Broadway Ave, Uptown
- Host: Marquis Hill
- Cover: $5
- Good to know: Starts after midnight, so it's early Saturday morning.
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 Chicago?
As of October 8, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (2), Tuesday (2), Wednesday (2), Thursday (2) and Friday (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.