Winter Jazzfest is one of New York City’s annual traditions that celebrates the vitality and creativity of jazz. This year’s celebration festival takes place January 9-15, 2025.
The festival aims to unite diverse communities through a shared love for jazz music rooted in a melting pot of cultures. This annual tradition is both fun and meaningful for those who love jazz and for new listeners.
This year’s festival has a massive lineup of performances, with over 500 artists appearing. There are 21 stages to host the numerous fans and performers bringing jazz to NYC.
The History of Winter Jazzfest
The first Winter Jazzfest began in 2005 and was initially only one night long. The event occurred at the Knitting Factory, a famous New York venue that has been alive since the 80s.
Since the first Winter Jazzfest, the tradition has become a cultural phenomenon, with many excited about the annual festival. Now, the numerous artists itching to be a part of the NYC phenomenon push Winter Jazzfest to be a week-long celebration of music and culture.
Winter Jazzfest hopes to unite people from all kinds of cultures. History is at the forefront of the celebration, honoring and keeping jazz music alive. The festival hopes to expose people to jazz music, an abstract, improvised style of music that is distinctive from other genres.
The founder of Winter Jazzfest, Brice Rosenbloom, hopes to uplift diverse and underprivileged communities—many of which were vital to the creation and upkeep of jazz music. He also hopes to support upcoming musicians, keeping the spirit of jazz alive and accessible to various audiences.
Event Highlights and Lineup
The kickoff performances begin on the first day, January 9, and will feature Aja Monet, a blues poet, and Sophye Soliveau, a harp player and vocalist. Fay Victor and the Brazil Music Club are more artists that can be seen on the first day, among many more.
On January 12 is a much-anticipated performance by Ravi Coltrane – a 60th-year celebration of the famous song A Love Supreme, initially performed by John Coltrane. Ravi is John’s son, a beautiful commemoration of the life and music brought to the world by his father.
Makaya McCraven’s Contribution
Many Winter Jazzfest attendees look forward to Makaya McCraven’s performance this year. He is expected to play four sets in his performance, featuring his live improvised style that captivates listeners.
Makaya is a well-known jazz drummer who is returning to the Winter Jazzfest. He will play a 10th-anniversary performance of In the Moment, a cultural phenomenon for its mix of traditional jazz and modern recording techniques.
Venues Available and Ticketing Information
Some participating venues include notable locations like Nublu, Roulette, Public Records, and Brooklyn Bowl. Fans can see their favorite or upcoming artists at convenient, lively locations across New York City.
A two-day marathon pass costs between $155 and $265. Tickets can be purchased on the official Winter Jazzfest website. A single-day pass, starting at $30, is also available.
This year, the festival even has its own crowd tracker, which allows fans to see how busy each venue is.
Winter Jazzfest’s Impact on Audiences
Winter Jazzfest continues to inspire jazz music. The genre’s rich history has survived decades, reaching the artists and audiences of modern times. The annual NYC celebration continues to be a beacon of jazz’s vitality in contemporary settings and hopes to spark positive change for jazz musicians.
Whether it’s avant-garde, jazz-funk, or global beats, Winter Jazzfest represents the genre’s timelessness and celebrates the artists behind it.
Jazz lovers and first-timers are encouraged to attend the 2025 Winter Jazzfest to see a range of live performers and participate in the historic community-building celebration.
