(January) New York Winter Jazz Fest takes over the town for two days every January, showcasing the finest local and international talent to be found, and performed in several historic NYC venues. The festival takes place in conjunction with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) conference, which gives the artists in the festival the opportunity to be seen and heard by thousands of arts professionals in an NYC-club environment. APAP members can reserve passes for free by contacting the festival, while the general public can purchase passes for the very reasonable price of $25 for one day/$35 for both days.
The festival leans heavily toward new and experimental jazz performers, who need exposure to a wider audience, though you’ll be just as likely to hear a straight-ahead jazz quartet as you are to come across an afro-beat-cuban-funk-fusion “experience” at this festival. The excitement and buzz is palpable in the crowded atmosphere at the five festival venues; we recommend purchasing your passes early so that you too can be present at the launching of the careers of the next big names in jazz.
- Venues: (Le) Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street); Kenny’s Castaways (157 Bleecker Street); Zinc Bar (82 West 3rd Street); The Bitter End (147 Bleecker Street); Sullivan Hall (214 Sullivan Street)
- Public Transportation: All venues are within a 5-minute walk from subway lines A, B, C, D, E, F, and M at West 4th Street/Washington Square and the 6 at Bleecker Street; and buses M1, M2, M3, M5, M8, and M21
- Handicapped Accessibility: Depends on venue
- Performances: 60-70
- Ticket Prices: $25 for single day passes, $35 for two day passes.
