Our Story Is a Continuation of their Story
In 1993 David Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Tony Rice recorded an impromptu Jam. The sessions were recorded over two nights. It was rumored that a cassette copy was possible taken or used as a tip to pay a pizza delivery driver. It was leaked and bootlegged for seven years until Grisman formally released the tracks in 2000 and named the Album "The Pizza Tapes". We are a group of acoustic musicians who are inspired by the sessions and host our own versions of that experience. Like the original sessions, we play folk, bluegrass and rock music for the joy of jamming. We encourage all skill levels on acoustic instruments join our existing sessions or start their own. We aim is to create jamming sessions that capture the joy music performance not music perfection.
The Spirit of the Session Lives On
Mel Smothers is the founder of this site, an avid fiddle player, and a passionate jammer who loves bringing people together for ongoing acoustic sessions in the spirit of the legendary Pizza Tapes. Inspired by the raw joy of those folk, bluegrass, and rock-infused jam circles, Mel wants to encourage players not only to join in, but to start their own “pizza tape” jams in their local communities. He shares his approach with backing tracks from Strum Machine, simple set lists, and an open invitation to musicians of every skill level to come together for the pure fun of making music, learning tunes, and keeping the jam alive. The Pizza Tapes are widely described as unrehearsed folk and bluegrass sessions by Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Tony Rice, and Strum Machine is built around customizable backing tracks for bluegrass, old-time, and fiddle-tune players.
Experience A Session
A Pizza Tape jam is a relaxed, welcoming space where the focus is on fun, not perfection. Jammers of all skill levels are invited to sing, play acoustic instruments, and jump in on familiar tunes that keep everyone included, with the host offering simple guidance, charts, lyrics, and backing tracks through Strum Machine to help keep things moving. These sessions are free-spirited and non-judgmental, with plenty of room to bring a friend, share music, and enjoy the easygoing energy that makes each gathering feel more like a community hang than a performance. We welcome those who play acoustically and never played in a group setting or from different genres.
These jams can happen anywhere community space is available, including senior centers and community centers, making them easy to share with a wide range of neighbors and music lovers.
I showed up not knowing anyone, barely able to play a G chord. By the end of the night I was jamming alongside a fiddle player and a mandolin player I'd just met. That doesn't happen anywhere else.Jamie T.
The whole vibe is exactly what it says on the tin — joy over perfection. Nobody cares if you flub a chord. They just keep playing and pull you along with them.Marcus R.
I've been playing bluegrass for twenty years and I still look forward to these sessions every week. The mix of skill levels keeps it fresh and alive.Dena K.
Started my own local session after following the Pizza Tapes Jam guides. Had eight people show up the first night. Now we have a waiting list.Tom B.
There's something deeply special about playing music that isn't being recorded or judged. Just people, acoustic instruments, and a room full of good sounds.Priya M.
Common Questions About Jamming With Us
Everything you need to know to show up, plug in (acoustically), and play.