JAMS

Welcome to our Music Jams page.  Below we've compiled a non-exhaustive list of Bluegrass, Old Time, Folk, and Celtic jams in the Philadelphia area.

We strongly encourage you to contact a jam directly before attending as dates, times, and places can change.

If you know of a jam not currently listed or if a jam's information has changed, please let us know.

Our deepest, heartfelt gratitude goes to the late Ed "Doc" Pollak whose Bluegrass newsletter and website inspired this page. 

PENNSYLVANIA

 

  • BUCKS COUNTY, PA

 

Type: Bluegrass
Name: The Doylestown Jam
Where:

Hilltown German Hungarian Sportsman Club
1622 Hilltown Pike
Hilltown, PA 18927
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 7:30 PM - ?
Contact: Ben Jarnutowski
hilltown5string@yahoo.com
DoylestownJam.com

 

Type: Bluegrass
Where:

Washington House Restaurant
136 N. Main Street
Sellersville, PA 18960
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of Every Month
Time: 8:00 PM - ?
Contact: washingtonhouse.net
215-257-3000
Notes: In the bar

 

Type:

Folk
Bluegrass
Name: Haycock Folk and Bluegrass Jam
Where: Haycock Township Community Center
1014 Old Bethlehem Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
(at corner of Old Bethlehem Road and East Sawmill Road)
When: 2nd Friday of Every Month
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Contact: Rich Laughlin
musicolic@yahoo.com
Notes: Non-alcoholic beverages only
Drinks (non-alcoholic) and snacks provided, contributions welcome
Enter building from main center entrance from parking lot

 

Type: Bluegrass
Name: Durham Valley Jam
Where: 3172 Main Street (Route 212)
Springtown, PA 18081
When: 3rd Saturday of Every Month
Time: 6:30 PM - ?
Contact: durhamvlyjam@gmail.com

 

  • CHESTER COUNTY, PA


Type: Bluegrass
Old Time
Where:

Private Residence
117 Liberti Lane
Lincoln University, PA 19352
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Contact: Walter Burke
wburke56@gmail.com
302-690-9069


      Type: Old Time
      Gospel
      Name: Spring City Old Time Jam
      Where: Spring Hollow Golf Course
      3350 Schuylkill Road (Route 724, near Bridge Street)
      Spring City, PA 19475
      When: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of Every Month
      Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
      Contact: Ron
      ronbrien1@verizon.net
      Notes: Participants usually have dinner first at The Grille at Spring Hollow at 5:00 PM

         

        Type:

        Bluegrass
        Old Time
        Name: Oxford Arts Alliance (OxAA) Bluegrass & Old Time Music Jam
        Where: Oxford Arts Alliance Art Annex
        19 S. Third Street
        Oxford, PA 19363
        When: 4th Saturday of Every Month
        Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        Contact: 610-467-0301
        liza0330@comcast.net
        Notes: Cost: $5.00, all ages and skill levels

         

        Type:

        Bluegrass
        Name: Steel City First Sundays Bluegrass Jam
        Where: Steel City Coffee House
        203 Bridge Street
        Phoenixville, PA 19460
        When: 1st Sunday of Every Month
        Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        Contact: Beth Ruediger
        bethruediger@gmail.com
        Rick Gorrell
        MrG58@Comcast.net

        • CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA

          Type: Bluegrass
          Name: Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association (SMBA) Bluegrass Jam
          Where: Young's United Methodist Church
          7075 Wertzville Road
          Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
          When: 3rd Sunday of Every Month
          Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
          Contact: sevenmountainsbluegrass.org

           

          • DELAWARE COUNTY, PA

          Type: Bluegrass
          Name: Kelly Center Bluegrass Jam
          Where: Kelly Center
          4 E. Eagle Road
          Havertown, PA 19083
          When: First and Third Tuesdays
          Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
          Contact:

          Alfred Poor: 215-896-3018 or apoor@verizon.net
          Tom Kelly: 610-804-5054 or TKelly1984@comcast.net
          Notes:

          Free, donations appreciated.  All skill levels welcome.  BYOB for 21+.  There is ample free (after 6 PM) off-street parking in Oakmont Municipal lot behind Kelly Center off Darby Road.

           

          Type: Old Time
          Name: Swarthmore Old Time Jam
          Where: Park Avenue Community Center
          129 Park Avenue
          Swarthmore, PA 19081
          When: 2nd Friday of each month
          Time: 8:00 PM
          Contact:

           

          Type: Bluegrass
          Name: Main Line Medium Bluegrass Jam
          Where: Cold Weather Location:
          Malvern School of Music
          19 E. King Street
          Malvern, PA

          Warmer Weather Location:
          Burke Park Gazebo
          When: Cold Weather: 4th Tuesday of Every Month

          Warmer Weather: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of Every Month
          Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
          Contact: Steve Ruzansky
          ruzco@verizon.net

          • LEHIGH COUNTY, PA

          Type: Old Time
          Name: Lehigh Valley Old Time Jammers
          Where: Upper Milford Mennonite Church
          6450 Kings Highway South
          Old Zionsville, PA 18092
          When: 3rd Tuesday of Every Month
          Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

           

          • MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA

            Type: Bluegrass
            Country
            Name: Holmesburg Bluegrass and Country Jam
            Where:

            Colder Weather:
            The MacSwiney Club
            510 Greenwood Ave
            Jenkintown, PA 19046

            Warmer Weather:
            Jenkintown Town Square Gazebo
            307 Leedom St
            Jenkintown, PA 19046
            When: Every Thursday
            Time: 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
            Contact: HolmesburgJam.com
             

             

            Type: Folk (with some Country, Bluegrass & more)
            Name: Cheltenjam
            Where:

            Abington Baptist Church
            1501 Huntington Road
            Abington, PA 19001
            When: Usually 4th Friday of Every Month -
            Have to be signed up to get the confirmation because dates sometimes change
            Time: 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
            Contact: info@transitioncheltenham.org
            215-885-0504
            215-913-2766
            Notes:

            Directions: From 611 Old York Rd  in Abington: Opposite the Abington Pharmacy is London Rd. Turn onto London Rd, pass between Target/TJMax etc. on your left & Rite Aid strip mall on the right. Follow that through stop sign & to the dead end. Make a quick left onto Shoemaker then an immediate right onto Edmund Rd. The church is straight ahead. You’ll be looking at it. The Carriage House is round the back in a separate red building, with white trim, at the end of the parking lot, up on the hill.

            Call 215-885-0504 if you’re lost or try Lora’s cell  215-913-2766  - ( she doesn’t always hear it when the music is going)

            A drink or a small snack to share is welcomed – as are a few dollars for a donation.

             

            Type: Old Time
            Name: Collegeville Old Time Jam
            Where:

            Troubles End Brewing
            50 West 3rd Ave
            Suite 310
            Collegeville, PA 19426
            When: 1st Wednesday of every month
            Time: 7:00 PM
            Contact:
            Notes:

             

             

            Type: YOUTH Old Time Jam (for kids up to age 18)
            Name: Plymouth Youth Old Time Jam
            Where:

            Plymouth Friends Meeting - Meetinghouse
            2150 Butler Pike
            Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
            When: 3rd Sunday of every month
            Time: 3:00 PM
            Contact: Maddy at madeleine.611@gmail.com
            Notes: We will be teaching tunes and running a slow jam during these sessions, so no prior old-time experience is necessary. This would be a great opportunity for kids who play classical music to get a taste of the joy of old-time music!

            • NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PA

            Type: Old Time
            Name: Old Time Jam
            Where: Godfrey Daniels
            7 East 4th Street
            Bethlehem, PA 18015
            When: 1st Tuesday of Every Month
            Time: 7:00 PM
            Contact: godfreydaniels.org
            610-867-2390
            Notes: Free but donations welcome

               

              Type: Bluegrass
              Name: Bluegrass Jam
              Where: Godfrey Daniels
              7 East 4th Street
              Bethlehem, PA 18015
              When: 2nd Tuesday of Every Month
              Time: 7:30 PM - ?
              Contact: godfreydaniels.org
              610-867-2390
              Notes: Free but donations welcome

               

              Type: Irish
              Name: Irish Seisiun
              Where: Godfrey Daniels
              7 East 4th Street
              Bethlehem, PA 18015
              When: 1st Wednesday of Every Month
              Time:
              Contact: godfreydaniels.org
              610-867-2390
              Notes: Free but donations welcome

              • PHILADELPHIA, PA 

              Type: Old Time
              Name: West Philly Old Time Jam
              Where:

              Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant
              4540 Baltimore Ave
              Philadelphia, PA 19143
              When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month
              Time: 7:30 PM
              Contact:
              Notes:

               

               

              Type: Old Time
              Name: Mount Airy Tap Room Jam
              Where: Mount Airy Tap Room
              300 West Mount Pleasant Ave
              Philadelphia, PA 19119
              When: 3rd Wednesday of Every Month
              Time: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - learning session
              7:00 PM - 9:30 PM - regular jam
              Contact:

               

                Type: Irish
                Name: Philadelphia Ceili Group
                Where: The Irish Center/Commodore Barry Club
                6815 Emlen Street
                Philadelphia, PA 19119
                When: First Friday of Every Month
                Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM - slow session
                9:00 PM - ? - regular session
                Contact: Hollis Payer
                215-248-6468

                 

                Type: Irish
                Name: Irish Ballad Session
                Where: Fergie's Pub
                1214 Sansom Street
                Philadelphia, PA 19107
                When: Every Sunday
                Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
                Contact: Kevin McCloskey
                215-605-3084

                 

                Type: Irish
                Where: The Mermaid Inn
                7673 Germantown Avenue
                Philadelphia, PA 19118
                (corner of Germantown & Mermaid in Chestnut Hill)
                When:
                Time:
                Contact: themermaidinn.net
                215-247-9797


                NEW JERSEY

                 

                •  BERGEN COUNTY, NJ

                Type: Bluegrass
                Old Time
                Where: Mac Murphy's
                8 Godwin Avenue
                Ridgewood, NJ 07450
                When: Every Wednesday (most weeks)
                Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
                Contact: Michael Simpson
                MichaelLSimpson@aol.com

                 

                • BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ

                Type:

                Bluegrass
                Old Time
                Celtic
                Folk
                Name: South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society (SJARMS)
                Where: Medford Memorial Community Center
                21 S. Main Street
                Medford, NJ 08055
                When: 2nd Monday of Every Month
                Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
                Contact: sjarms.com
                Notes: $10/non-members.  Jam is held during monthly meeting, sometimes performances or open mike is held first, before the jam.

                   

                  • CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ

                  Type: Old Time (Appalachian)
                  Name: Looser's Jam
                  Where: Treehouse Coffee Shop and Cafe
                  120 W. Merchant Street
                  Audubon, NJ 08106
                  When: First Friday of Every Month
                  Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
                  Contact: treehousecoffee.net
                  856-547-3270

                      • HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ

                      Type: Folk
                      Old Time
                      Bluegrass
                      Name: Open Folk Jam
                      Where: The Birdhouse Center for the Arts
                      7 N. Main Street
                      Lambertville, NJ 08530
                      When: Last Wednesday of Every Month
                      Time: 8:00 PM - ?
                      Contact: birdhousecenter.org
                      Notes: $10 Suggested Donation

                       

                      Type: Old Time
                      Name: Milford Old Time Jam
                      Where: Descendants Brewing Company
                      61 Bridge Street
                      Mildford, NJ 08848
                      When: 4th Wednesday of Every Month
                      Time: 7:00 PM - ?
                      Contact:
                      Notes:

                       

                      Type: Bluegrass
                      Name: Bluegrass Jam
                      Where: Flemington DIY
                      26 Stangle Road
                      Flemington, NJ 08822
                      When: 3rd Thursday of Every Month
                      Time: 7:00 PM - ?
                      Contact: rvrecband@gmail.com
                      Notes: Open to all, beginner to pro.  Be prepared with 2 or 3 tunes to call when we go around the circle. Bring your own snack or beverage but as an all ages facility DIY is strictly no alcohol.

                      • MERCER COUNTY, NJ

                      Type: Irish (also Celtic)
                      Name: Hopewell Irish Music Session
                      (formerly Flemington Irish Session and Frenchtown Irish Session)
                      Where:

                      Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
                      15 E. Broad Street
                      Hopewell, NJ 08525
                      When: 2nd and 4th Sundays of Every Month
                      Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
                      Contact: email: sessions@patrickclifford.com
                      On Facebook at "Flemington Irish Music Session" (@frenchtownirishsession)

                       

                       

                      •  MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ

                      Type: Bluegrass
                      Old Time
                      Name: Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association of New Jersey (BOTMA)
                      Where:

                      September - May:
                      Embury United Methodist Church
                      49 Church Street
                      Little Silver, NJ 07739

                      June - August:
                      Thompson County Park (outdoors)
                      805 Newman Springs Road
                      Lincroft, NJ 07738
                      When:

                      September - May:
                      3rd Sunday of Every Month - September through May only

                      June - August:
                      Contact BOTMA for dates & times
                      Time:

                      September - May:
                      1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

                      June - August:
                      Contact BOTMA for dates and times
                      Contact: njbluegrass.org
                      Notes: $4 for members/$5 for non-members

                       

                      • OCEAN COUNTY, NJ

                      Type: Bluegrass
                      Old Time
                      Country
                      Name: Pickin' At The Tuckerton Seaport
                      Where: Tuckerton Seaport and Baymen's Museum
                      120 W. Main Street
                      Tuckerton, NJ 08087
                      When: 1st Sunday of Every Month
                      Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
                      Contact:

                      Linda Salmons
                      609-290-0356
                      Notes: Acoustic instruments only please

                         

                        Type: Bluegrass
                        Old Time
                        Country
                        Name: The Pinelands Cultural & Historical Preservation Society
                        Where:

                        Albert Music Hall
                        at the Music Hall's Porch, the Pickin' Shed, and in the parking lot
                        131 Wells Mill Road
                        Waretown, NJ 08758
                        When: Anytime Albert Music Hall is open, usually Saturdays and Sundays
                        Time: Anytime Albert Music Hall is open
                        Contact: alberthall.org

                         

                        • SALEM COUNTY, NJ

                          Type: Bluegrass
                          Acoustic
                          Name: Kevin Justice's Bluegrass and Acoustic Jam
                          Where:

                          Stubini's Tavern South
                          270 Shell Road (Route 130)
                          Carneys Point, NJ 08069
                          When: 3rd Sunday of Every Month
                          Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
                          Contact: kevin_justice@yahoo.com
                          856-299-2402

                          • SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ

                          Type: All Kinds of Acoustic Music
                          Bluegrass
                          Name: Northwest New Jersey Acoustic Jam
                          Where: Westside United Methodist Church
                          16 Maxim Drive
                          Hopatcong, NJ 07843
                          When: Every Tuesday
                          Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
                          Contact: Arty Morelli
                          arty0179@att.net
                          973-770-0179

                           

                          DELAWARE 

                          • NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE

                          Type: Bluegrass
                          Where:

                          St. Thomas' Episcopal Church
                          276 S. College Ave
                          Newark, DE 19711
                          When: 2nd Thursday of Every Month
                          Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
                          Contact: Jerry Schultz
                          schultz@che.udel.edu
                          Notes: In Basement

                           

                          Type: Bluegrass
                          Where:

                          Coffee Mode
                          919 N. Market Street
                          Wilmington DE 19801
                          (in lobby of Citizens Bank Bldg.)
                          When: Every Monday
                          Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

                           

                          Type: Bluegrass
                          Where: Bellefonte Cafe
                          804 Brandywine Blvd
                          Wilmington, DE 19809
                          When: Every Other Wednesday
                          Time: 7:00 PM - ?
                          Contact:

                          bellefontecafe@letseat.at
                          302-761-9175