Jez Nelson presents a selection of highlights from the 2008 Vision festival, downtown New York's annual celebration of the jazz avant-garde. The 13th edition saw New Orleans saxophonist Edward 'Kidd' Jordan honoured with a tribute night featuring ensembles made up of past collaborators including Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluiett, Hamid Drake and Vision festival co-founder William Parker. An annual event since 1996, the festival has grown to become New York's premier artist-run, multi-disciplinary celebration of creative improvised music and the culture that surrounds it, drawing both concertgoers and performers from all around the world.