As part of an ongoing celebration of their 80th anniversary, The Village Vanguard has commissioned a series of concerts of events taking place over the coming weeks. This week, Jason Moran & Bandwagon take the stage in a variety of different configurations with a variety of different performers. On Friday, for example, they will play the music of Thelonious Monk, and on Saturday Bill Frisell will join the group along with Jason Moran’s wife, Alicia Hall Moran.

The Village Vanguard is one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic jazz club in New York, yet it did not start out that way. When the Vanguard opened its doors originally, it was as a club for comedians and folk musicians, with Jazz being used to fill out the schedule. With the rise of modern jazz through the 40’s, slowly the nature of the bookings changed, and Jazz came to headline the schedule. It is safe to say that, since the early 1950’s, every important era in jazz has been documented at the Village Vanguard, and it has been home to some of the most virtuosic, dynamic performances of all time. If you count yourself as one of the few who get in to the underground mecca this week, consider yourself lucky,

Jason Moran is a pianist born in Texas, but minted in Manhattan. He has played as a sideman with many important musicians from the avant-garde movement, as well as pursuing his solo career as an artist on Blue Note Records. He has transcended many genres, including stride piano, classical, and his first love: hip-hop. With all these fantastic musicians on stage, it is sure to be a dynamic and interesting weekend at The Vanguard.

Jason Moran & The Bandwagon @ The Village Vanguard: 80th Anniversary Celebration 3/13-3/15

Sets at 8:30 and 10:30

Tickets $30

21+