East Bay sessions

Your jam session info hub

This section includes all Alameda Co., Contra Costa Co. and points east, including the I-80 corridor.

CJ's Saloon, Pleasant Hill

When: Wednesday Live Karaoke / Rock Jam, 8pm-11:30pm

Where: CJ's, 548 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 925-825-3834

Host: Brooks Lundy & Friends, plus others

New session that started up in late 2024. FB page has videos of recent sessions. Not a blues session, but bring your rock-n-roll. And a little 80's pop might be accepted. Session link

Sign-up sheet, backline provided (guitar/bass/drums). Marketed as “Live Band Karaoke” but all musicians welcome. Lots of rock. [review by TB Jan 2025]

Vallejo Jazz Jam, Vacaville

When: some Saturdays - call ahead - 11:30am-2pm

Where: Community Presbyterian Church, 425 Hemlock St, Vacaville, CA 95688

Host: Patricia Kutza 707.319.4184 or pkutza at pacbell.net

Formerly at the Methodist Church. This is a jazz session reading Real Books.
Note from Host: All levels of musicians (including singers) welcome for non-competitive and supportive environment. You must bring instruments and amps if needed. Repertoire primarily based on Jazz standards fakebooks (and tunes/lead sheets provided in advance). Host requests a $10 donation, the full proceeds of which goes to support Church community outreach projects.

Jam still going as of March 2024 (per host), and still at the church. See Facebook session link for updates.

R Place, Livermore

When: Jam Night Sundays & Thursdays 9pm

Where: R Place, 2562 Old 1st Street, Livermore (925) 294-9693

Host: JD

This venue has a reputation for rock, rock and more rock. Send a review!

Session still going per a new FB page as of March 2025 ; no functioning web site. [updated by SJ Jun 2025]

Still going. Musicians and jam singers welcome. Expect more play time if you’re willing to be shuffled into random jam groups. Generally a full crew of regulars are available for each instrument to fill in as well. Always check in with JD to get in queue. Chosen songs are mostly 60-80s rock and some electric blues; the regular crews know those, but other types welcome. Not karaoke style. [Updated Apr 2025 by MA]

Antlers Tavern, Pinole

When: Tuesday blues jam 8pm

Where: Antlers Tavern , 2284 San Pablo Ave, Pinole, CA (510) 724-9961

Host: Rotating

Session started in 2022. Information as of Jan 2025 from the FB session page: "Note regarding Tuesday night blues jam at Antlers. Host band will now start at 7pm and perform until approx 7:50. Blues jam begins at 8pm. This is to accommodate the many great players who sign up to jam. Please try to limit your jam time on stage to 20 minutes and of course, watch the volume levels. Thanks everyone for your cooperation. Reminder: As usual, Jeanne is in charge of the jam list. " [added Mar 2025 by RD]

Park Station, Alameda

When: Wednesdays jazz jam session 6-9pm
Where: Park Station beer garden, 1200 Park St., Alameda, CA (510) 671-2903

Host: Caesar Young & Caesar's Empire Venue Calendar page

New session on the Island, reading IRealPro, Real Books, etc. Info from host: "Pro-level and Semi-Pro Level Jazz Jam. No cover charge. Sign-in Sheet, requesting your name and your Instrument and/or Vocal Talent. There is a backline consisting of PA System, Drums, Bass Amp, Guitar Amp, and Keyboards. We strongly recommend you bring and use your own Ax, Stick Bag, etc. (aside from Mic, Keys, and Drums). All Jammers will interact with Caesar's Empire musicians for permission to use their respective backline equipment."
Strongly recommend call ahead, as sessions may be pre-empted by other events. [Added by Host Oct 2025]

The Office, Concord

When: Tuesdays jam session 7pm-midnight
Where: The Office Cocktail Lounge, 1796 Willow Pass Rd, Concord, CA (925) 687-3700

Host: varies Venue FB page

The Office is launching a jam night.
Per venue FB feed flyer: "Rock the mic" - Guests and hosts rotating. Jordan Latini, Chris Schubert, Frank Spikes, Sheena, Francesca Marie, and more - 7pm signup - 7:30pm showtime - Signature Burgers [food truck] - Entrance at back of the building". No info about format or backline; clarification on those points would be helpful. [Updated Oct 2025 by SJ]

Brooklyn Sound Lab, Berkeley

When: Last Mondays free-form open jam session 6-9pm

Where: Brooklyn Sound Lab, 1201 University Ave, Berkeley, CA (no phone)

Host: Melissa Archie

Venue IG page Session Eventbrite

Non-traditional, free-form improvisational session for instrumentalists, singers, spoken-word artists and others. Brand new session held on the last Monday of the month, each month having a different theme. RSVP on the Eventbrite link for more information. This is more of a songwriting salon / get-together format. From host:
"Different focus or theme each month held at our Recording Studio Lounge. Open to musicians, singers, poets, dancers and appreciators of all genres and disciplines. This is an event meant to facilitate collaboration, connection and community via improvisational jam sessions in an intimate, cozy and crazy cool space - think Speak Easy vibes. [Backline notes] drum set, percussion instruments, keyboard and upright piano and a few bass's on site including a stand up. We've got bass amp covered as well. " [Added by host Sep 2025]

I attended Brooklyn Sound Lab's jam session in Berkeley... they were there, had drums, keys guitar bass. Pretty complete, and I had a good time meeting and playing with folks. [Updated Oct 2025 by J]

Eli's Mile High, Oakland

When: Monday Blues session

Where: Eli's Mile High, 3629 M.L.K. Jr Way, Oakland (510) 808-7565

Host: Rotating

Blue Monday blues has returned, with rotating hosts. Venue has confirmed the session is still going, runs from 7-11 each Monday, jammers can sign up at 7pm and the host varies each week per calendar. This is one of the longest off/on running sessions in the Bay Area for all time, and we would greatly appreciate a review letting everyone know what they're up to these days. [Updated Oct 2025 by SJ]

The Bistro, Hayward

When: 1st Sunday jazz jam, 2nd and 4th Sundays blues jams
Where: The Bistro, 1001 B Street, Hayward 510.886.8525

Hayward's best-known live music venue has multiple sessions with various hosts. There is a jazz session first Sundays 4-7pm. The blues session second Sundays "Dave Walker Memorial Blues jam" is 3-6pm, current host Robert DaValle; fourth Sundays blues jam hosted by Gary Lamb. Some jam history turns up on FB searches. [update by SJ June 2025]

Cheers, Vacaville

When: 1st (and 3rd??) Sunday blues/variety jam 6-9pm

Where: Cheers Sports Bar, 321 Merchant St, Vacaville (707) 451-4049

Host: David Blaha

There is a long running session at this bar but only locals seem to know about it. The longtime host retired recently and the session has a new host. Recommend call ahead. Open to blues, country, what-have-you. Venue FB page Venue IG page [update by SJ Oct 2025]

Vinnie's, Concord

Where:Vinnie's Bar & Grill, 2045 Mt. Diablo St, Concord 925.685.9515
Live music but no jams detected. [Updated by SJ July 2024]

Armando's, Martinez

Venue closed as of 2020. Some of the music moved to Slow Hand BBQ but no jams there as yet. [update by SJ July 2024]

Mojo Lounge, Fremont

No sessions here, bar appears to be up and running but website not located anywhere.

Ivy Room, Albany

Where: Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany 510.526.5888
No sessions as of Mar 2024. [SJ]

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