In the coldest season, we make our own warmth. Every winter since 2005, we have been reminded that our music is not simply entertainment, but a vital force reflecting our times, carrying legacies forward, and nurturing our community in moments of hardship and joy. Core to our mission, Winter Jazzfest champions artists at every stage of their careers, from emerging innovators to icons. 

Your support makes this possible. By giving to Winter Jazzfest, you help sustain a platform for extraordinary artists, expand access to transformative musical experiences, and invest in the next generation of musicians and audiences who will carry jazz forward.

Honoring Pat Metheny
The evening’s centerpiece is the presentation of the first annual Winter Jazzfest Mentorship Award to guitarist, composer and NEA Jazz Master Pat Metheny. Across a groundbreaking career, Metheny has devoted himself in recent years to nurturing generations of younger artists opening doors to his global audience of fans, sharing hard-won life and musical wisdom, and lifting up emerging voices. It is a legacy that embodies the spirit of our festival, and there is no more fitting honoree to inaugurate this award.

Honoring Our Partners & Friends
We are also proud to recognize organizations and friends whose work impacts the healthy landscape of the music industry:

• This Is A Movement - A gender equity advocacy initiative, will be honored along for its new Childcare Support program for working musicians, removing a critical barrier to participation and career longevity for artists who are parents.

• All Access - A mentor-based training program for women pursuing careers in concert production and operation, building a stronger, more inclusive pipeline behind the scenes.

• Gerry Eastman - Composer, conductor, musician and owner of Williamsburg Music Center has fostered a community for jazz since 1981, celebrating 45 years as the longest continuously opened black owned Jazz venue in NYC.