Pianist Geri Allen, a Howard University graduate and force behind last year's acclaimed "Flying Toward the Sound," plays with Don Byron's New Gospel Quintet.

by Giovanni Russonello

NEW YORK – It’s an undeniable reality that New York City is the Mecca for jazz musicians, the ultimate point of ascension. And, bittersweet as it is to see talented cats leave D.C. behind, it’s hard to deny the appeal of a town boasting dozens of places to play, plus a forward-marching sense of innovation and creative community. Some of that is definitely present in D.C., and it’s growing. But this past weekend’s Winter Jazzfest in New York was the quintessential example of how much remarkable talent and wildly varied music is bouncing around the Big Apple.

Of course, some of the two-night, five-venue festival’s best performers did have roots in D.C. Howard University jazz studies graduate Geri Allen, who often returns to the District, performed with legendary reedist Don Byron’s New Gospel Quintet (above), one of the weekend’s most unexpected and exhilarating acts. Allen applied driving abandon to the group’s knees-on-the-ground, hands-in-the-air, rump-shaking-every-which-way repertoire of Black church music.

And the prescient Ben Williams, a bassist with D.C. origins who now lives in New York, played in a range of settings. Performing at Zinc Bar with the Marcus Strickland Quartet, Williams’s commanding bass emitted warmth as he locked in with drummer E.J. Strickland. For a downloadable audio excerpt from the quartet’s performance of the Marcus Strickland original “Dawn,” including part of Williams’s lyrical solo, see below. Further down, there are photos from around the festival (most of the pictures aren’t of D.C.-related acts). For a thorough recap of the whole festival, see Ben Ratliff‘s New York Times review.

Ben Williams with the Marcus Strickland Quartet – “Dawn” (excerpt)
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D.C. native Ben Williams, right, performs at Zinc Bar with the saxophonist Marcus Strickland's quartet.

Trumpeter Kirk Knuffke, a rising force to be reckoned with on the New York scene, sits in with Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth at Kenny's Castaways.

Alto saxophonist Steve Coleman and trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson listen as guitarist Miles Okazaki solos at Le Poisson Rouge.

Drummer Nasheet Waits performs at Kenny's Castaways in a resolutely unpredictable duo with tenor saxophonist Abraham Burton.

Alto saxophonist Tia Fuller's brawny tone and unwavering drive soared over the hammering foundation of drummer Rudy Royston at Le Poisson Rouge.

Nels Cline, a member of famous rock group Wilco, performs solo guitar with visual accompaniment from painter Norton Wisdom at Le Poisson Rouge.

photos by Giovanni Russonello/CapitalBop

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