What we’re about
Interested in jug band music, early blues and jazz, home-made instruments? This meetup is for fans and musicians alike - a place to find out about what's happening in the vibrant world of jug band music here in the Northeast: performances by local jug bands, jug band jams, and festivals.
What's Jug Band music, you ask?
It’s rootsy, bluesy, jazzy, and fun! With roots from Appalachia, New Orleans, and Africa, jug band music started in the south (notably Louisville Kentucky and Memphis Tennessee) in the 1920’s and 30’s. Highly popular "back in the day", jug bands such as Gus Cannon’s Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band incorporated a variety of conventional and home-made instruments (such as spoons, washtub bass, and washboard), and, of course, featured jug-blowing as a rhythmic backbone. Jug band music could have quietly slid into obscurity if not for a revival in the 1960’s by notable musicians such as John Sebastian, Jerry Garcia, Jim Kweskin, and Maria Muldaur. Today, the genre is alive and well, with several terrific bands playing right here in greater Boston and beyond.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Jug Band Jam at the 29th BONES FEST, Natick MA.Morse Tavern, Natick, MA
The Jug Nuts -- Michael Buonaiuto, Dan Holabaugh, and Tom Stewart -- open the amazing 29th annual Bones Fest (those be rhythm bones!) at Morse Tavern in Natick. Read about the festival here.
Pack up your kazoo, uke, guitar, or washboard (and BONES!) . Bring your voice and dancing shoes too! Or grab a pint and some grub, and just listen.
We’ll bring lyrics and chords , and lead the songs (and, if you show up empty-handed, provide some home-made instruments for you to try out) as we explore this good time music rooted in the jazz and blues of the 1920’s and 30’s.Click here for a Spotify playlist of our jam tunes : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SJoqanXcZXjtOmlXLP7Pg?si=5398190cdfff4f95
Note that we'll be working from our "greatest hits" booklet, compolete with chords and lyrics We'll have hard copies available, but take a look here:
Take a look at our adownloadable and printable copy of our more extensive jam setlist with chords and lyrics (new songs added monthly!) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSm1yqPM_O4tFIeHMzBvjAd5T2cgwV-BOoDNikly_Z8
- Jug Band Jam at the Donut Villa in Arlington! Tuesday August 12Donut Villa, Arlington, MA
Pack up your kazoo, uke, guitar, or washboard. Bring your voice and dancing shoes too! Or grab a pint and some grub, and just listen.
Join in with the Jug Nuts -- Michael Buonaiuto, Dan Holabaugh, Tom Stewart and sometimes Jasmine Moran-- at our mostly-second-Tuesday-of-the-month open jug band jam in the back room at Arlington's Donut Villa!
We’ll display lyrics and chords on a big screen, and lead the songs (and, if you show up empty-handed, provide some home-made instruments for you to try out) as we explore this good time music rooted in the jazz and blues of the 1920’s and 30’s.
NOTE THAT OUR RECENT JAMS HAVE BEEN "STANDING ROOM ONLY"! Arrive early to grab a seat, order some food, and be ready to jam!
Donut Villa, in the center of Arlington, is a modern spin on a classic American diner - featuring breakfast all day, a full dinner menu, cocktails from classic to unique, and microbrews on tap.
Click here for a Spotify playlist of our jam tunes : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SJoqanXcZXjtOmlXLP7Pg?si=5398190cdfff4f95
Click here for a downloadable and printable copy of our jam setlist with chords and lyrics (new songs added monthly!) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSm1yqPM_O4tFIeHMzBvjAd5T2cgwV-BOoDNikly_Z8
- The Bay State Hot Jazz Festival!The Green by Condon Shell on the Mystic River, Medford, MA
Okay, okay, it's not ALL jug band, but ...
Two days of hot jazz from the 1920's and 30's with a sprinkling of top-notch jug band music? That'll make ME pack up my kazoo and lace up my dancing shoes - how about YOU?
Head over to Medford's Condon Shell on August 23 and 24 to catch The Busted Jug Band, the Berlin Hall Saturday Night Review (featuring JIM KWESKIN!) , plus six other spectacular bands showcasing traditional (TRAD) jazz - for free! Music from 11 to 3 each day. New Orleans-style food by Revelry Boston, and microbrews from Medford Brewing Company will be available for purchase.
Details here!
- FRIDAY NIGHT JUG BAND JAM - Festival Kickoff! Sept. 26Donut Villa, Arlington, MA
Pack up your kazoo, uke, guitar, or washboard. Bring your voice too!
Or grab a pint and some grub, and just listen.
Join in with the Jug Nuts -- Michael Buonaiuto, Tom Stewart, Dan Holabaugh, and Jasmine Moran -- at the KICKOFF event of the Great Northeast Jug Band Festival - a FRIDAY NIGHT open jug band jam! In the back room of Arlington's Donut Villa.We’ll display lyrics and chords on a big screen, and lead the songs (and, if you show up empty-handed, provide some home-made instruments for you to try out) as we explore this good time music rooted in the jazz and blues of the 1920’s and 30’s.
For more information about the Great Northeast Jug Band Festival on Saturday September 27, visit: The Great Northesat Jug Band Festival 2025
Click here for a Spotify playlist of our jam tunes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SJoqanXcZXjtOmlXLP7Pg?si=5398190cdfff4f95
Click here for a downloadable and printable copy of our jam setlist with chords and lyrics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSm1yqPM_O4tFIeHMzBvjAd5T2cgwV-BOoDNikly_Z8
