jug band

noun

1. a small group of performers who play chiefly blues or folk music on makeshift or very simple instruments, as washboards, harmonicas, kazoos, and empty jugs, the latter being played by blowing across the openings.

jug band

noun

1. a small group playing folk or jazz music, using empty jugs that are played by blowing across their openings to produce bass notes

Word History and Origins

Origin of jug band¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

In a 1972 issue of Rolling Stone, Garcia credited McKernan with his shift from acoustic jug band to electric guitar, which prompted the formation of the Warlocks, the band that became the Grateful Dead.

From Los Angeles Times

Lots of times we just jam, make stuff up, riff on old-timey jug band, jazz or Irish veins.

From New York Times

The jug band sound came from Paul King blowing into a glass bottle while playing banjo.

From The Guardian

The session I attended focused on pushing the players into exaggeration—reveling in the King’s “patriarchal pomposity” and turning a betrothal dance into a “jug band” jam.

From Wall Street Journal

As well as 60's psychedelia, the group's albums show the influence of jazz, bluegrass, mainstream pop and even their early days as a jug band.

From BBC