About us
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
6
Jug Band Jam at the Midway Cafe in JP! Wednesday Sept 2
The Midway Cafe, 3496 washington Street, jamaica Plain, MA, USPack 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, and Jasmine Moran -- at our user-friendly, mostly-1st-Wednesday-of-each-month, open jug band jam at The Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain!
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.
Notes:
We've made the cover charge go away!
(Tips much appreciated)
• The bar is CASH ONLY!
• No food served, but take-out can be purchased at a restaurant next door and brought in.
• The Midway is AWESOME!Here's a note about The Midway Cafe, a new venue for us!
The Midway has presented the best acts, and the best VARIETY of acts, in Boston since 1987. Often compared to New York's Knitting Factory for its eclectic mix of styles and crowds, the Midway books everything - even JUG BAND MUSIC!Click here for a Spotify playlist of our jam tunes
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SJoqanXcZXjtOmlXLP7Pg?si=5398190cdfff4f95Click 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
2 attendees
Jug Band Jam at the Donut Villa in Arlington! Tuesday Sept 8
Donut Villa, 319 Broadway, Arlington, MA, USPack 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, and 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
6 attendees
FRIDAY NIGHT JUG BAND JAM - Festival Kickoff! Sept. 25
Donut Villa, 319 Broadway, Arlington, MA, USPack 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, 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 26, visit: The Great Northesat Jug Band Festival 2026
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
5 attendees
The Great Northeast Jug Band Festival!
Jason Russell House, 7 Jason St, Arlington, MA, USThe SIXTH Great Northeast Jug Band Festival! New England’s ONLY Jug Band Festival will highlight traditions from the 1920’s and 30’s, and the modern evolution of this good-time music. This event is free and open to the public at the Beer Garden at the Jason Russell House (7 Jason St, Arlington, MA 02476). Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy performances by four of the region's best Jug Bands! This year, the festival lineup highlights woman-lead jug bands, and will feature an expanded Makers Tent, featuring home-made and cigar box instrument builders!
Jason Russell House Beer Garden is presented by the Arlington Historical Society and Jason RussellHouse. Craft Beer by Arlington Brewing Company!
Here's the schedule:### Friday, September 25 | 7:30-9:30pm
#### Open Jug Band Jam
Join The Jug Nuts for the return of our Open Jug Band Jam at Donut Villa!
@ 319 Broadway in Arlington### Saturday, September 26 | 1-6pm
#### Festival Performances + Makers Tent
Jug Band Jam w/ Jazzmo and The Jug Nuts (open to all)
Dirty Mother String Band
More jamming!
Zoë Lewis and the Educated Fleas
Even more jamming!
Annie and the Jug Tappers
ALL DAY | Returning in 2026! -- Makers Tent highlighting home-made and cigar box instrument builders! Featured artists information coming soon!Details:
Great Northeast Jug Band Festival 2026* RAIN LOCATION : Arlington Community Center in the Main Hall, 27 Maple St Arlington, MA
4 attendees
Past events
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