4 recurring jazz jam sessions in Toronto, 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.
Tuesday jazz jams in Toronto
Every Tuesday
Classic Rex Jazz Jam
8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar · 194 Queen St W, Queen West
- Host: Chris Banks
- How it runs: The house band leads it and invites players up to jam. No reservations.
- Cover: $10
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Friday jazz jams in Toronto
Most Fridays
Jazz Bistro's Late Night Jazz Jam
11:30 PM to 2:00 AM
Jazz Bistro · 251 Victoria St, Yonge-Dundas
- Host: A different host each week
- How it runs: The kitchen's open until 1:30 AM. There's no quiet policy, but they ask you to be respectful.
- Cover: Pay what you can, $5 minimum
- Good to know: Runs late Friday into Saturday morning. No jam is listed for Fri Oct 16, so check the venue's calendar for the week you go.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Saturday jazz jams in Toronto
Every Saturday
JazzInToronto Late Night Jazz Jam
11:30 PM to 2:00 AM
The Emmet Ray · 924 College St, Little Italy
- Host: A different host each week
- Cover: Pay what you can for listeners
- Good to know: Runs late Saturday into Sunday morning. Doors open at 11 PM, and it's in the Back Viewing Room.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Sunday jazz jams in Toronto
First Sunday of the month
Jazz Jam with the Liane Fainsinger Trio
2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
La Vegan Ethiopian & Eritrean Vegan Cuisine · 1450 Danforth Ave, East Danforth
- Host: Liane Fainsinger (keys, vocals), with Michael Kawabe (drums)
- How it runs: The house trio backs whoever sits in. Singers and instrumentalists are both welcome.
- For bass players: Gordon Mowat plays bass in the house trio.
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 Toronto?
As of October 8, 2026, our list has jams on Tuesday (1), Friday (1), Saturday (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.