Patrick Jarenwattananon

Stay put or graze? Stand in line or pick something else? See a favorite musician or take a risk on an unknown? Here's how one photographer chose from 106 bands on 10 stages in two nights last weekend.

In a live tribute at the 92nd Street Y in New York, the late pianist and host of NPR's Piano Jazz is saluted by a diverse cast of musical friends on the date of what would have been her 96th birthday.

By necessity, the early jazz pioneers knew how to make music for revelers. So it made sense that Marsalis put the tunes of Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver on the bill for this New Year's Eve bash.

An impromptu bongo beat became a full-on tribute to James Brown, and suddenly a band had a new repertoire. A powerful and versatile vocalist, Alexander and her ensemble honor the Godfather of Soul.

Following a high-energy main stage set — filled with turbocharged versions of standards, rags and his own party anthems — the young pianist and singer brought his band out into the audience.

As New York prepares for its January music marathon, watch performances from last year, including Gretchen Parlato, Donald Harrison, Rudy Royston, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.

The 25th anniversary of the holiday special brings together keyboard players of all stripes. Harold Mabern, Kris Davis, Lynne Arriale and Cyrus Chestnut play seasonal favorites for solo piano.

A pianist who brought bebop to New Orleans and an educator to generations of music students, the elder Marsalis has become a father figure of modern jazz to more than just his famous sons.

What would it sound like if someone bridged the gap between large ensemble jazz and classic hip-hop anthems? One multi-generational group of musicians has made it their aim to find out.

O'er the ramparts of 190-year-old Fort Adams, we watched the keyboardist and bandleader urge us to "Believe in Love," accompanied by his Stay Human band, and then saunter away.