Jerry Jam began as an idea hatched on Aug 1, 2006, as we commemorated Jerry Garcia’s birthday by listening to some classic tapes. Over the next year, our friends in The Electrix, Reckoning, and the Blue Point Brewery were brought on board. Freegrass Union was added to the bill on August 4, 2007 our first Jerry Jam, Jerry’s Birthday bash was held at Suffolk County’s Southhaven Park. 

In 2008, Jerry Jam was moved to Patchogue’s Fireman’s Park, and Dawg Star Compromize (later Dawg Star) was created to round out that second show with The Electrix and Reckoning.  Jerry Jam went on to have an eight-year stint at Fireman’s Park. Within a few years, Don Audio joined the team and together we grew from three to five bands!  Jerry Jam became a two-day event with the addition of a Friday evening lineup featuring Half Step and Tiger Rose.  Then Friday was dropped and a full slate of bands was added on Sunday.  At the same time, Jerry Jam grew from one stage to two, first with an acoustic stage to fill the gaps between acts, and eventually to two equal stages. During those years a number of bands were created to play a single show, among them were Dawg Star, Mike Katzman’s Keystones, and Pat Falco and Friends who contributed a jazz infused set. One band would go on to become a Jerry Jam tradition The Jerry Jammers, first playing in Jerry Jam 8  would go on to close every show since Jerry Jam 11. The Jerry Jammers have an evolving lineup and have had up to a six-piece brass section joining in. Before leaving Fireman’s Park Jaclynn Brandi joined the team, working the gate Jackie welcomes everyone with a smile!

In 2016, Jerry Jam 10 was held at Cathedral Pines Park. Camping was added to the two-day event and so was our Security Wizard, Dan Sweeney, the coolest security boss on the planet. Camping at Jerry Jam proved to be quite popular with impromptu jam sessions throughout the park on Friday nights.  Jerry Jam took a one-year hiatus in 2020 (there was no event but we count Jerry Jam 14 anyway).
Jerry Jam 15 now at our regular location Cathedral Pines Park drew the largest crowd ever! Witnessing a remarkable performance, Don Audio and the last three bands on Saturday rose to the challenge. Jellyband closed its set with China Cat Sunflower jamming out with Reckoning soon joining in from the adjacent stage. Eventually, Jellyband went quiet and Reckoning opened its set with “I Know You Rider”.  At the end of the set Reckoning closed with “Scarlet Begonia” and passed the baton to The Electrix who opened with “Fire on the Mountain”.  The end of the night saw 5 hours of NON-STOP music!

2022, Jerry Jam 16 was the first ever three-day event with nearly three hundred campers doing the hat trick. Friday’s three-set performance reprised the seamless transition, first between newcomers Ernie and the Band and Jellyband. The highlight of the evening was the transition of stages during “Eyes” from Jellyband to Reckoning with a 10-minute dual jam. Remarkably the talented Annie Mac on flute began on the Jelly stage and finished with Reckoning. Another first-timer, MK Ultra, delivered a Saturday highlight, rising to the challenge as he always does band leader Mike Katzman delivered the entire Blues for Allah album.

This year Jerry Jam 17 looks to be another exciting year with plenty of surprises and guest artists including Michael Falzarano who will lead Falz and Friends through some Dirty Business as they play the first New Riders album.