Jazz Jam
2026-04-20 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Waystone, 1609 Powell St, San Francisco, CA, United States
Wayston’e jazz jam is every Monday, 6-9pm. Whether you’re a spectator, jazz lover or musician this is for you.

Jazz Nights @ Novela!
2026-04-20 18:30 - 21:30 | Novela, 662 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, United States
Get ready to groove to smooth jazz tunes and sip on cocktails at the coolest spot in town – it’s Jazz Nights @ Novela!

Dirty Works Jazz Jam
2026-04-20 20:00 - 2026-04-21 01:30 | Persona, 685 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA, 94102
The Dirty Works Jazz Band brings its weekly jam session to Persona. Led by upright bassist Kyle Finley, these “Dirty Works & Friends” nights transform the North Beach venue into a buzzing jazz laboratory. Far from a casual background set, this is a professional performance environment where the house band sets a high bar before inviting local players to sit in and trade solos on the fly.
The repertoire is heavily inspired by the “Golden Era” of jazz (1945–1965), specifically the catalogs of Riverside, Impulse, and Blue Note records. Expect a hard-driving mix of bebop, hard bop, heavy swing, and Latin jazz.
Every session begins with the house rhythm section—usually featuring Finley on bass alongside keys, guitar, and drums—anchoring the first few numbers. As the night progresses, local jazz musicians are swapped in, creating a dynamic, evolving soundscape.
Unlike “casual jam circles,” Finley emphasizes that these nights are first and foremost a show for the audience. The band prioritizes a polished, professional sound, ensuring that even the most experimental improvisations remain engaging for the listeners in the room.

About Kyle Finley
Kyle Finley is a San Francisco-based upright bassist and the driving force behind the Dirty Works musical collective. His mission is to foster a “living jazz scene” through consistent residencies and jams that prioritize musical excellence and community. Beyond his work on stage, Finley is known for his commitment to the local jazz culture, often documenting these sessions through his own photography and managing a rigorous schedule of “Dirty Works” events across the city to ensure the music never stops.

The San Francisco Invitational Jam
2026-04-20 21:00 - 2026-04-21 01:00 | Tupelo, 1337 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States
Step into the inner circle of the city’s music scene with THE San Francisco Invitational Jam at Tupelo. Held every Monday night from 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM, this is widely considered the definitive jam session for professional players and serious students of the craft. Hosted by the “nastiest rhythm section this side of South Dakota”—Andrew Coutti on drums and Young Blake on bass—the evening serves as a high-stakes proving ground where the Bay Area’s best talent comes to stretch their creative muscles.
The Sound: This isn’t your average open mic; it is a high-octane exploration of Roots, Soul, R&B, and Funk. The house band sets a blistering pace, and the music often leans into deep-pocket grooves and sophisticated jazz-fusion arrangements that demand technical precision and quick improvisational thinking.
The “Invitational” Edge: While the session is open to high-level guests, it maintains an invitational spirit, meaning the stage is curated to ensure a top-tier musical experience for the audience. Each week features a different special guest vocalist, ensuring that the “soul” of the night is always fresh and evolving.
A Networking Hub: Monday nights at Tupelo act as the unofficial headquarters for off-duty working musicians. It’s a place where bandleaders scout for subs, songwriters find collaborators, and the community gathers to celebrate the raw, unscripted power of live music.
No Cover, All Access: Despite the world-class musicianship on display, there is no cover charge. It provides an accessible “masterclass” environment for fans who want to see how the city’s musical engine runs behind the scenes.

About the Invitational Jam
Founded on the belief that San Francisco needs a consistent home for professional musical dialogue, the Invitational Jam has outlasted countless other sessions in the city. Hosts Andrew Coutti and Young Blake are veteran players known for their “unprecedented chemistry” and ability to back any guest with a rock-solid, funky foundation. Over the years, the jam has hosted everyone from local legends to touring pros, cementing Tupelo’s reputation as a vital sanctuary for the preservation of San Francisco’s live R&B and Funk traditions.

Jazz Jam Session
2026-04-22 20:00 - 23:00 | Stookey’s Blue Room, 891 Bush St, San Francisco, CA, 94108, United States
This is a drop in jazz jam session, led by rotating musicians. Come catch the next generation of jazz cats and be transported back in time to the 1920’s.

Bluegrass Jam
2026-04-26 16:00 - 19:00 | The Lucky Horseshoe, 454 Courtland Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
The Lucky Horseshoe hosts its long-standing Bluegrass Jam every Sunday afternoon. Unlike a typical circle jam, this is a unique “performance” jam where musicians take to the stage to play into microphones for a live crowd. It’s an intermediate-to-advanced level session that brings together the best of the Bay Area’s roots and bluegrass community, turning the Bernal Heights tavern into a high-energy honky-tonk for three hours every week.

The Performance Format: This session is specifically designed as a “on-stage” experience. Musicians are encouraged to step up to the mic, fostering a professional yet welcoming atmosphere that bridges the gap between a casual rehearsal and a formal concert.

Skill Level Requirements: The jam is tailored for intermediate players who are comfortable leading a vocal or instrumental song. The ability to “call a tune” and guide the ensemble is a key part of the ritual, ensuring a high-quality listening experience for the patrons in the bar.

A Neighborhood Tradition: Sponsored in part by the California Bluegrass Association (CBA), the jam is a quintessential Sunday social in Bernal Heights. The “Shoe” provides the perfect wood-paneled backdrop, complete with strong drinks and a dog-friendly policy that welcomes the whole community.

Acoustic & Unplugged: While the stage is amplified, the heart of the music remains strictly acoustic, celebrating the traditional sounds of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and upright bass in their purest forms.

About the Organizer: California Bluegrass Association (CBA)
The Sunday Horseshoe Jam is part of the broader mission of the California Bluegrass Association, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass, old-time, and gospel music. By supporting weekly residencies like this one, the CBA ensures that traditional American music remains a vibrant, living part of San Francisco’s urban culture. Whether you are a seasoned picker looking for a stage or a fan of high-speed flatpicking, these Sunday sessions offer an authentic slice of the “high lonesome sound” right on Cortland Avenue.

Sunday Blues Jam at Pier 23 Cafe
2026-04-26 16:00 - 19:00 | Pier 23, 23 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, 94111, United States
Live Music is BACK at Pier 23 Cafe! Join us for a fun afternoon filled with jammin’ blues sounds from professional musicians and budding artists. We are supporting local talent on all levels. Grab a drink, a bite and be ready to dance. Bring your friends, we can’t wait to see you.

Guajirón Cuban Jam
2026-04-26 19:00 - 22:00 | CA
Live Cuban jam session every 4th Sunday w/Guajirón band at Bissap Baobab! Come to dance or jump in and jam — it’s free!
Whether you’re a musician ready to sit in or a dancer looking for a groove, this night is all about sharing rhythm, culture, and vibes with the community.
What to expect:– Open jam session for musicians– Salsa, Cuban, and tropical jazz rhythms– Full bar & West African food– Good energy + community vibes
Bring your instrument, bring your friends, and let’s make music together.

Sunday Artist Series
2026-04-26 20:00 - 2026-04-27 00:00 | Tupelo, 1337 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States
End your week with a rhythmic bang at the Sunday Artist Series, a weekly institution at Tupelo that transforms North Beach into a soulful dance party. Hosted by the versatile Shawn Stein, this residency is built around an “all-pro” house band that provides a world-class foundation for a rotating cast of the Bay Area’s most powerhouse vocalists. From 8:00 PM to midnight, the room sheds its weekday grit for a polished, high-fidelity exploration of funk, R&B, and soul, making it the definitive “musician’s hangout” in the neighborhood.
The magic of the series lies in its unpredictability and its caliber of talent. Because a different guest artist takes the lead each week, the sound can pivot from the brassy energy of a James Brown-style funk review to the smooth, sophisticated textures of modern neo-soul. It is a space where local legends and touring pros often drop in to sit with the band, creating a “who’s who” environment for the San Francisco music scene. The house band is known for their “deep pocket” and the ability to back any style with technical precision and infectious joy.
The atmosphere at Tupelo during the Artist Series is electric yet welcoming, drawing a diverse crowd of neighborhood regulars, off-duty musicians, and soul aficionados. Set against the venue’s classic red-lit stage and historic Grant Avenue backdrop, the event offers a rare opportunity to experience an elite, high-energy “dance party throw-down” with no cover charge. Whether you are there to dance off the weekend or simply to appreciate the highest level of local musicianship, the Sunday Artist Series ensures that the spirit of North Beach soul remains loud and alive.
