KMHD’s Favorite 2025 Winter Jazzfest Memories

Your favorite crew of DJs, the KMHD staff, spent a week of January in New York City covering the 21st annual Winter Jazz Fest throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Upon their return to Portland, I asked them to share with you their favorite shows from that week and some interesting story or anecdote about the experience. Here’s what all they came up with.

–Anthony Dean-Harris

Smooth Ride, Mondays - Fridays 2 - 4 p.m.

I really enjoyed the Ben Williams performance at Nublu during the Marathon. His songs had a very personal element to them and embodied a very Jazz Without Boundaries feel. There was also the visual aspect of the performance. Witnessing such a diverse group of musicians together left a big mark on my already huge faith in this music.

One thing that I’ll take away from my week at NYWJF is that (for the most part) I prefer being around the energy given off by the people of this jazz world over that of the hip hop world. Artists seem much more approachable and down to earth. Makes it a more enjoyable space to be in.

–Rev Shines

Today’s Good News 8 - 10 a.m. Mondays - Fridays

4 - 6 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays

My favorite moment from a show at Winter Jazz Fest this year was during aja monet’s set at LPR on the opening night of the festival. Her cover of Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter in America” was incredibly moving and still haunts me. Before she started singing, she mentioned that it was winter in America literally and figuratively. An astute and truthful observation as we move into a new political climate in America, the song and the performance reverberated throughout the crowd in what felt like a collective mourning. A very powerful moment and testament to how jazz and poetry can move the soul, the mind, and all the emotions in between.

New York is cold in the winter! Whichever direction the frigid wind blows, it will unabashedly whip through any crevice, corner, or street block that it allows with absolutely no mercy. The best way to combat this is a head to toe “sleeping-bag” jacket, warm mittens, fuzzy hats, wool scarves, and from what I’ve gathered, a tough New York state of mindset. Visitors from milder and warmer locations, beware!

–Nicole D’Amato

Songs from Cloud 9, Mondays - Fridays Noon - 1 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays Noon - 2 p.m.

Improvisatory interpretations on “A Love Supreme” with Ravi Coltrane David Virelles (piano), Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums), and Dezron Douglas (bass)

Witnessing the Ravi Coltrane Quartet’s performance of A Love Supreme at Roulette was the definition of a spiritual experience. The moment Dezron Douglas’ lit into that heartbeat of a baseline from Acknowledgement, total silence fell across the reclaimed church and a shudder of collective joy ran through the 400+ attendees like an electric shock. The crowd stood transfixed until the final strains of the 4th movement faded into the night. Like stepping into a world ignorant of compulsive doom scrolling and the 8.25 second attention span, the experience was nothing short of transcendental.

–Bri Drennon

Takin’ Off, Mondays - Fridays 4 - 6 p.m.

Steppin’ Out Saturdays & Sundays 6 - 7 p.m.

Opening night of WJF, Sophye Soliveau’s trio blew me away at LPR, and Tomoki Sanders’ project at Nublu that closed out the Manhattan Marathon knocked my socks off.

A lot of warmth (even with a blistering January wind) from the people in NYC. Artists, audiences, random new friends at bars, were all so lovely.

–Meg Samples

Today’s Good News Mondays - Fridays 8 - 10 a.m.

Blue In Green Saturdays & Sundays 2 - 4 p.m.

Being in New York was an incredible experience yet again filled with wonder and impressive jazz throughout! I loved every bit of the jazz festival but the standout performances came from harpist Sophye Soliveau and bassist Ben Williams who have separately raised the bar so high! (Not to mention the Sun Ra Arkestra) One thing I’ve noticed about the residents of New York is that they’re so accustomed to excellent selections and performances that they hardly react to the event in real time. I’m jealous to be honest because I just can’t contain my excitement. 10/10 experience for me!

–Bryson Wallace

Positive Vibrations Mondays - Fridays 10 - 11 a.m.

Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m. - Noon

There is such an overwhelming amount of amazing shows to sift through to choose one. Seeing Makaya McCraven four times with essentially different bands each time was amazing, especially getting to see him play with Joel Ross. Moses Yoofee Trio were impressive. SML channeled all the emotions of the weight of what has happening in LA so beautifully. Watching Zacchae’us Paul conduct a stage full of musicians that included 100 year-old Marshall Allen and 2 tap dancers was spectacular. But if I could only select one moment, it would be watching drummer Justin Brown lead bassist Logan Kane with Julius Rodriguez playing keytar through “Montara”.

I am going to use this moment to talk about Tomoki Sanders. They had an amazing debut performance at Winter Jazz, closing out the Manhattan Marathon. The band they put together was filled with extremely young and talented musicians that possessed an equal style to ability ratio. The ensemble seemed like it could only be plucked from the bounty of skilled musicians found in NYC. The fact that the show didn’t start until after 2 a.m. and was packed also felt very “only in New York”, not to mention how many Young Stars of Jazz™ that stuck around to witness Tomoki’s set. Another special thing about the festival (and NYC in general) is we got to see Tomoki play with Ray Angry’s band at Producer Mondays on the same stage three days later.

–Alex Newman

The New Format Mondays - Fridays 11 a.m. - 1 pm.