Winter Jazzfest 2015 In Photos

By Patrick Jarenwattananon

Published January 12, 2015 at 4:19 PM EST

1 of 24 — The eclectic and prolific saxophonist David Murray was a major presence at Winter Jazzfest, leading three different sets. During one of them, he led extended improvisations with Geri Allen (piano) and Terri Lyne Carrington (drums).

The eclectic and prolific saxophonist David Murray was a major presence at Winter Jazzfest, leading three different sets. During one of them, he led extended improvisations with Geri Allen (piano) and Terri Lyne Carrington (drums).

2 of 24 — Another of David Murray's three Winter Jazzfest performances featured a four-man clarinet choir. Murray played bass clarinet with Hamiet Bluiett (pictured), David Krakauer and Don Byron rounding out the reeds.

Another of David Murray's three Winter Jazzfest performances featured a four-man clarinet choir. Murray played bass clarinet with Hamiet Bluiett (pictured), David Krakauer and Don Byron rounding out the reeds.

3 of 24 — Oran Etkin presented an homage to another clarinetist, reinterpreting the works of Benny Goodman's celebrated 1930s quartet.

Oran Etkin presented an homage to another clarinetist, reinterpreting the works of Benny Goodman's celebrated 1930s quartet.

4 of 24 — Pianist Arturo O'Farrill led his "Boss Level" ensemble, a band that includes his son Adam O'Farrill, a trumpeter.

Pianist Arturo O'Farrill led his "Boss Level" ensemble, a band that includes his son Adam O'Farrill, a trumpeter.

5 of 24 — Drummer Han Bennink gigged twice on Friday night, performing in duet with pianist Uri Caine and later joining the ICP Orchestra.

Drummer Han Bennink gigged twice on Friday night, performing in duet with pianist Uri Caine and later joining the ICP Orchestra.

6 of 24 — Cellist Tristan Honsinger was the most animated member of the ICP Orchestra.

Cellist Tristan Honsinger was the most animated member of the ICP Orchestra.

7 of 24 — Joe Locke exhibited dazzling four-mallet technique in front of a quartet.

Joe Locke exhibited dazzling four-mallet technique in front of a quartet.

8 of 24 — Christie Dashiell joined saxophonist Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life band.

Christie Dashiell joined saxophonist Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life band.

9 of 24 — Tyshawn Sorey, a drummer comfortable in many contexts, showcased his piano trio at Winter Jazzfest.

Tyshawn Sorey, a drummer comfortable in many contexts, showcased his piano trio at Winter Jazzfest.

10 of 24 — The elder statesmen of Trio 3 — Oliver Lake (saxophone), Reggie Workman (bass) and Andrew Cyrille (drums) — invited pianist Vijay Iyer to join them on stage, much as he did on the band's 2014 album Wiring.

The elder statesmen of Trio 3 — Oliver Lake (saxophone), Reggie Workman (bass) and Andrew Cyrille (drums) — invited pianist Vijay Iyer to join them on stage, much as he did on the band's 2014 album Wiring.

11 of 24 — The quartet So Percussion presented its collaboration with Man Forever, a solo project of drummer Kid Millions.

The quartet So Percussion presented its collaboration with Man Forever, a solo project of drummer Kid Millions.

12 of 24 — The longstanding quintet Kneebody presented its collaboration with Daedalus, an electronic music producer.

The longstanding quintet Kneebody presented its collaboration with Daedalus, an electronic music producer.

13 of 24 — French percussionist Mino Cinelu led his World Jazz Ensemble, also picking up an electric guitar in the process.

French percussionist Mino Cinelu led his World Jazz Ensemble, also picking up an electric guitar in the process.

14 of 24 — The Winter Jazzfest introduced a stage dedicated to "hot" or early jazz this year. On the second night, The Ladybugs — led by vocalist Martina DaSilva (right), and featuring Kate Davis in harmony — was first to perform there.

The Winter Jazzfest introduced a stage dedicated to "hot" or early jazz this year. On the second night, The Ladybugs — led by vocalist Martina DaSilva (right), and featuring Kate Davis in harmony — was first to perform there.

15 of 24 — Vocalist Theo Bleckmann presented ethereal, often wordless songs, augmented by electronic effects and backed by musicians like Gary Versace (piano) and Ambrose Akinmusire.

Vocalist Theo Bleckmann presented ethereal, often wordless songs, augmented by electronic effects and backed by musicians like Gary Versace (piano) and Ambrose Akinmusire.

16 of 24 — Hours after performing with Theo Bleckmann, Ambrose Akinmusire also led a quartet at Winter Jazzfest.

Hours after performing with Theo Bleckmann, Ambrose Akinmusire also led a quartet at Winter Jazzfest.

17 of 24 — Amina Claudine Myers drove an organ trio on both voice and keys, in a set that was alternately down-home and abstract. She was supported by Jerome Harris on bass guitar and Reggie Nicholson (not pictured) on drums.

Amina Claudine Myers drove an organ trio on both voice and keys, in a set that was alternately down-home and abstract. She was supported by Jerome Harris on bass guitar and Reggie Nicholson (not pictured) on drums.

18 of 24 — Trumpeter Avishai Cohen took part in one of the festival's most crowded sets, featuring the SFJAZZ Collective's arrangements of Michael Jackson songs.

Trumpeter Avishai Cohen took part in one of the festival's most crowded sets, featuring the SFJAZZ Collective's arrangements of Michael Jackson songs.

19 of 24 — The French singer-composer Emilie Lesbros joined the quartet of alto saxophonist Darius Jones, exhibiting a recent collaboration between the two.

The French singer-composer Emilie Lesbros joined the quartet of alto saxophonist Darius Jones, exhibiting a recent collaboration between the two.

20 of 24 — Darius Jones.

Darius Jones.

21 of 24 — Flutist Hadar Noiberg led her trio at Winter Jazzfest.

Flutist Hadar Noiberg led her trio at Winter Jazzfest.

22 of 24 — Vocalist Jen Shyu gave a solo performance.

Vocalist Jen Shyu gave a solo performance.

23 of 24 — Saxophonist Frank Catalano was in town from Chicago and led his own group at the festival.

Saxophonist Frank Catalano was in town from Chicago and led his own group at the festival.

24 of 24 — Nicholas Payton's trio featured the trumpeter doubling on electric piano — sometimes while he played the trumpet.

Nicholas Payton's trio featured the trumpeter doubling on electric piano — sometimes while he played the trumpet.

If you've ever gone to the NYC Winter Jazzfest — specifically, the marathon of overlapping sets in roughly adjacent venues that sometimes lasts more than eight hours per night — you know that you're bombarded with choices. Stay in one theater where it's warm, or graze for three songs and move on? Stand in that slow-moving line, or find a new plan? See one of your favorite musicians, or take a risk on something you've never heard of before? Experimental, deep in-the-pocket, or somewhere in between?

Exactly 106 bands performed across 10 different stages at this year's Winter Jazzfest, held this past Friday and Saturday. Here's how photographer John Rogers picked his way through the festival.