A convergence of summer festivals used to mark the high point of the NYC jazz calendar, but with many of those showcases defunct or on the ropes, the annual Winter Jazzfest has become arguably the genre's top local draw. Spread across five West Village venues and featuring a dazzling array of talent, the event is both a bustling forum of discovery and a guaranteed blast. (Spring for the two-night pass—a definite steal.) This year's roster includes Nels Cline, Steve Coleman, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Jacky Terrasson, Robert Glasper, Don Byron, Talibam! and tons more. Check out winterjazzfest.com for the full schedule.
