Unpredictability is the key ingredient of the annual New York showcase, which often emphasizes new bands or projects. Here's a preview of five groups who will present unreleased music, featuring musicians like Lee Konitz, Brandee Younger and Jason Lindner.

5 New Projects At Winter Jazzfest 2013

5 New Projects At Winter Jazzfest 2013

5 New Projects At Winter Jazzfest 2013

5 New Projects At Winter Jazzfest 2013

Mark de Clive-Lowe, a DJ and keyboard player, will present his CHURCH ensemble.

Eric Coleman / Courtesy of the artist

Unpredictability is the active ingredient of New York's annual Winter Jazzfest. This year, fans will meander around six nearby clubs and take their pick of simultaneous shows. Choosing from among so many acts will be difficult.

Many of the bands are new, paced in rapid succession and often cryptically named. If you only have 45 minutes to spare, do you check out Breeding Ground? Hazmat Modine? Merger? 40Twenty? 10^32K?

Which band, led by an Israeli clarinet ace, will play Indonesian folk songs this year? Which tuba and harmonica ensemble will play its biggest Siberian hits? Which great bebop harpist, beloved to hip-hop fans, will be honored this year in a DJ-driven set?

I've been finding out the answers for the jazz bee, WBGO's new HD2 stream for emerging artists, which is currently hosting a preview mix of music by all of the groups at Winter Jazzfest. With more than 70 acts set to take the stage this Friday and Saturday, here's a sneak peek at five acts who will present new music this year.

Copyright 2013 WBGO-FM. To see more, visit http://www.wbgo.org.

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