January is not the most popular month as far as music festivals are concerned. However, the Winter Jazzfest has become an annual tradition for the NYC jazz fans. More than 100 bands perform at the festival every year. The programme also features discussions on gender, immigration, and social issues within jazz music with such panelists as an activist Angela Davis or a drummer Antonio Sanchez. The festival's events take place at Le Poisson Rouge, Nublu, and Brooklyn Steel.
Held since the early 2000s, Winter Jazzfest is famous for its two-night jazz marathon bringing celebrities and up-comers. About a dozen Lower Manhattan venues host the jazz marathon. Cozy downtown clubs present series of shows that can be attended with a single wristband. Thus, one can attend several places per night.
Winter Jazzfest has several artists-in-residence like musician Meshell Ndegeocello, or composer Nicole Mitchell, playing a few sets at the fest.
