The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?

Subject: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: The Shambles
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 01:59 PM

We would all, I think, know what we mean when we use the words Jam Session but do we know the origin of the term? Any thoughts on the subject?

Subject: RE: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Jan 99 - 02:29 PM

I was taught in school that it originated as "Jazz and Musicians"

May be urban legend

MMario

Subject: RE: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 01:46 PM

There was some discussion on the word session in the 'Feel sorry For The Australians' thread. The suggeestion was made that it come from a Gaelic word?

Subject: RE: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: MMario
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 03:16 PM

from Webster's:

ses·sion Pronunciation: 'se-sh&n Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin session-, sessio, literally, act of sitting, from sedEre to sit --

Date: 14th century 1 : a meeting or series of meetings of a body (as a court or legislature) for the transaction of business
6 : a meeting or period devoted to a particular activity

So it would look like we just need to find out why it is a "JAM" session......rather then a "music" session or "tune" session...or

MMario

Subject: RE: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: MMario
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 03:24 PM

fyi - also per Websters:

first recorded instance of the usage of "Jam Session" - 1933

MMario

Subject: RE: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 01:09 AM

I believe the term originated in the 13th and Vine Jazz District of Kansas City. As the Black musicians couldn't stay the night at the Whites Only hotels in which they played. They'd return to an all-Black hotel where they all 'jammed' into a small room at the end of the evening.

Subject: RE: The Origin Of The Words Jam Session?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Feb 12 - 04:43 PM

"jam session. 1. Orig. Jazz an informal and typicaly impromptu session of jazz music; (broadly) an informal meeting of musicians to play for enjoyment.

1933 Fortune (Aug.) 90: Not unlike the jazz musicians jam sessions where the players vie with one another in hot solos. 1936 Harper's (Apr.) 574: Thus in a typical "jam session" one instrument will lead off with a slightly modified form of the general melody, the other instruments "faking" the harmony.
1936 Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Jam Session [Victor phonograph record VIC 25497].

From the word "jam n. 1. Esp. N. E. a large social gathering or party.
1827 H. W. Longfellow, in DAE: I have been several times to her evening jams but as it was Lent, there was no dancing.
And so on....
1929 Perelman... She did not know Paul Whiteman personally ..... So one night she went to a jam and met ...Izzy Worknan."
1929 OED2: There are many variations on this rhythm...which make excellent breaks- or "jams" as they now call them when they are taken by the whole band."


From J. E. Lighter, Historical Dictionary of American Slang Vol. 2, p. 246; 250. Random House.