3 recurring jazz jam sessions in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, 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 the Twin Cities
Every Monday
L.A.'s Monday Nights
8:00 PM
Icehouse · 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Whittier
- Host: Arthur "L.A." Buckner (drums) and The Homework House Band: Omar Abdulkarim (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ethan Yeshaya (bass), Kevin Gamble (keys)
- How it runs: Doors open at 7:00 PM. The house band leads, and guests sit in on vocals, horns and other instruments.
- Style: Jazz and funk
- Cover: $10
- Good to know: It's not an open mic. The venue says you have to be great to sit in. 18 and over. No date is listed for Nov 9.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in the Twin Cities
Every Wednesday
The Cherry Pit Open Jam
10:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Berlin · 204 N First St, North Loop
- Host: The Cherry Pit. House band: Marvelous (piano), Dave Power (drums), Henry Breen (bass), Jovon Williams (saxophone).
- How it runs: An open jam with a house band. The venue has a house drum kit and a Steinway baby grand, so bring any other instrument.
- Style: Jazz-leaning open jam, not strictly jazz
- Cover: No cover, one-item minimum per person
- For bass players: Henry Breen plays bass in the house band. The venue doesn't list a bass amp in its house gear.
- Good to know: Berlin's calendar lists it through Oct 21 so far, so check it for later dates.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Sunday jazz jams in the Twin Cities
Second Sunday of the month
Second Sunday Jam
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Dual Citizen Brewing Company · 725 Raymond Ave, St. Paul
- Host: North Star Jazz Workshops
- How it runs: Drop in, no sign-up. The host prints the chart books, and the tunes are posted online ahead of time. Singers are welcome too.
- Cover: Free to play
- Good to know: All levels welcome.
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 the Twin Cities?
As of October 10, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (1), Wednesday (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 10, 2026.