3 recurring jazz jam sessions in Ottawa, 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.
Wednesday jazz jams in Ottawa
Every Wednesday
Jazz@248 Open Jazz Jam
7:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Jazz@248 · 248 Bank St, Level 2, Centretown
- Host: The 248 Collective Band
- How it runs: Doors open at 6:30 PM. Bring your instrument and the house band backs you up.
- Cover: $10
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Once a month, usually the third Wednesday
Night Oat Jam Session
7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Night Oat · 750 Gladstone Ave
- Host: Peter Hum Trio (Peter Hum, piano)
- For bass players: Chris Pond plays bass in the house trio on the recent listings.
- Good to know: Dates move now and then, so check Peter Hum's gig page.
Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026
Thursday jazz jams in Ottawa
Third Thursday of the month
JazzWorks Jam Session
7:30 PM
Rice-Mi Restaurant · 149 Kent St
- Host: A different JazzWorks host band each month
- How it runs: The host band plays a 45 minute set, then at 8:15 PM the floor opens to all musicians and singers. Amateurs to pros are welcome.
- Cover: $10, $5 for Friends of JazzWorks
- Good to know: Runs September to June.
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 Ottawa?
As of October 10, 2026, our list has jams on Wednesday (2) and Thursday (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.