How do you make the most of your visit? What are the best food and drink options? Is it possible to do this on the cheap? Can you attend at the last minute? Is there any parking downtown? What’s the bathroom situation? Here’s the 411 on the 23rd annual fest, which returns June 19-27.
Rochester International Jazz Festival
Posted inMusic
The multifaceted Cécile McLorin Salvant returns to Jazz Fest on June 24
Growing up in Miami in a Haitian-French household, Cécile McLorin Salvant’s musical exposure spanned continents and cultures: Haitian and Caribbean music, folk music from South and North America, R&B and hip-hop, jazz and the blues. She breathed it all in and then, together with formal training in opera and classical singing, translated it into a […]
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The legendary Bill Frisell plays familiar tunes his way
The song opens simply enough, with mildly sonic-looping, electronic pings reminiscent of raindrops on a metallic roof. The music presents as a mystery, a harbinger of something to come but no indication of what. Then the transition begins, a gentle segue into the recognizable notes of the folk standard “Shenandoah.” This is a song performed […]
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Gladys Knight and Mikaela Davis among summer festival performer announcements
Despite a fresh snowfall, festival season is just a few months away. This week, two of the city’s cornerstone summer celebrations have revealed some 2026 headliners. The Rochester Lilac Festival will fill Highland Park with homegrown and touring acts beginning May 8 and running through May 17. Each night has free live music, with local acts […]
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Concert Review | Thundercat
The bass virtuoso gave a neo-soul jazz masterclass at Kodak Hall on June 26.
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June Editor’s Letter | Red Headed Stranger
On Willie Nelson’s bandana, more than a decade of jazz fest coverage — and getting out there for the arts.
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Finding heaven
A year after family tragedy sidelined their tour, “Texican” rock band Los Lonely Boys plays Parcel 5 on June 26.
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A 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival primer
The basics on the 22nd annual fest, which runs June 20-28.
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From classroom to concert
Two college students will lead ensembles at the Rochester International Jazz Festival this year.
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Jazz Fest gets weird — in a good way
Neo-funk fusion, ASMR electronica and free improv color this year’s lineup.
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Smokey Robinson will perform at Rochester International Jazz Festival, despite allegations
The Motown icon, accused of sexual assault by four former housekeepers, is the headlining act on June 20.
