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Jazz Festival Guide 2016
City Newspaper’s guide to Rochester’s biggest music festival. The 2016 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival runs Friday, June 24, through Saturday, July 2. For more reviews, blogs, photos, and the latest news, check our website every day of the festival.
Jazz Fest 2016: City’s Daily Jazz Blogs
The 2016 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival runs Friday, June 24, through Saturday, July 2, and City Newspaper will be out every night of the festival, covering multiple shows.
Jazz Fest 2016: Meet City’s jazz bloggers
Ron Netsky [IMAGE-1] My real job is chairman of the art department at Nazareth College, but I’ve been writing about jazz for City since the late-1990’s. My love of music can be traced to the people I grew up with: my uncle was a Broadway composer; my twin brother, Steve, is a songwriter; and my…
Jazz 101
Now in its 15th year, the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival has become the most highly anticipated yearly musical orgy in Upstate New York. We have nine days to indulge in every kind of music, from free street concerts by national acts to $100-plus seats at the ritzy Kodak Hall. During the course of the…
Week ahead: Events for the week of June 20
The Town of Brighton will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday regarding the Daniele family’s proposed Whole Foods Plaza. The hearing will take place at Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue. The hearing is specifically about the developer’s draft environmental statement for the project, as well as its incentive zoning application. The Danieles…
RCSD’s new code downplays suspensions
After more than a year of public debate, the Rochester school board unanimously approved a new code of conduct policy last night. Board members Malik Evans and Cynthia Elliott were not present and did not vote. The new policy steers student discipline away from a more punitive approach to instead focus on restorative justice-style practices,…
Song premiere: Maybird’s “Turning Into Water” (Joywave Remix)
The psych-pop rockers in Maybird are one step cooler with the Joywave remix of “Turning Into Water,” its latest single and EP title track. Maybird’s Josh Netsky is jazzed. “We asked Joywave to put their spin on it,” Netsky says. “I love that it’s super percussion heavy and kind of sparse of the synths, but…
Director Josh Fox preaches to the choir
With his film climate change documentary “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change,” Josh Fox aims to fire up people to take action.
Assembly, Senate pass LDC law
It looks like Monroe County will be able to move forward with plans to dissolve three local development corporations. The State Assembly and Senate passed legislation yesterday that allows the county to borrow money to pay off its contracts with the LDC’s, which it formed over the years. Legally, the county can borrow money to…
Film review: “Dark Horse”
An amiably entertaining documentary from British filmmaker Louise Osmond, “Dark Horse” chronicles the story of a coal-mining village in Wales whose residents decide to pool their resources together to breed and train a racehorse. The effort is led by barmaid Jan Vokes and her husband, Brian, who were inspired to find a way for their…
Main Street Arts focuses on form and identity
Our bodies serve as our fragile interface with the world. It’s how we manifest our intentions; it bears the scrutiny of ourselves and others; it’s one important means by which we relate to and connect with one another. And it’s also often a politically-charged battleground. The current show at Main Street Arts, “The Human Figure,”…
Bandmates, fans, and friends remember Brandon Ferrell
Brandon Ferrell, a staple of the Rochester punk and metal scenes, passed away late last month. A prolific musician, Ferrell played drums, guitar, and sang in seemingly countless bands based out of both Rochester and his native Virginia. Fans of Ferrell’s tireless work-ethic remember him fondly for his tenure in bands such as — but…
Friday, June 24 – Musician Bios
More about the musicians performing Friday, June 24
GOSPEL | Kirk Franklin
It’s hard to believe that it’s been two decades since the dynamic Kirk Franklin broke onto the gospel music scene and started turning heads with the Grammy-winning album “Whatcha Lookin’ 4.” Since then, the singer-songwriter and choir leader has been a Christian crossover artist with staying power, injecting the fiery passion of a preacher and an…
Friday, July 1 – Schedule
Full schedule for Friday, July 1
Davina and The Vagabonds
Proving that rock ‘n’ roll can still thoroughly thrive without the guitar, Davina and The Vagabonds lay it down with a vintage instrumentation — piano, horns, bass, and drums —and hi-tone retro ambition.
Tuesday, June 28 – Musician Bios
More about the musicians performing Tuesday, June 28
Friday, July 1 – Musician Bios
More on the musicians performing Friday, July 1
Saturday, June 25 – Schedule
Full schedule for Saturday, June 25
REGGAE | John Brown’s Body
Considered by many to be the best roots-reggae band around, John Brown’s Body serves up a deep, deep groove. The horns are amazing as they switch off between rhythm and melody. It’ll twirl your skirt. And as far as the best: they’re good, but they’ll be sharing the stage with Thunderbody. So, better step high.…
Red Baraat
Red Baraat’s joyous energy is instantly infectious. Eight musicians piled onto a stage, devotedly kicking out Brooklyn bhangra — a mix of North Indian bhangra, D.C go-go, jazz, hip-hop, and New York City edge — will put a smile on your face, and then make you move. And that’s really the point. The seeds for…
COMEDY | Dario Party 2
Dario Joseph, a Rochester native, is back in town Saturday to throw Dario Party: Part 2. During the quick visit from his new home in New York City, Dario is getting together with comedians Zane Golia and Michael Colon for a night of comedy. Dario’s local recognition spread after his 2014 media-based, “140 characters or…
Bria Skonberg
It’s hard to pin down what it is about Bria Skonberg. She’s a double threat as a trumpet player and vocalist — good luck trying to pick which one you like more. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention her tow-headed pulchritude. This New York City-based composer, educator, and self-proclaimed instigator has…
Saturday, July 2 – Schedule
Full schedule for Saturday, July 2
Saturday, June 25 – Musician Bios
More about the musicians performing Saturday, June 25
Wednesday, June 29 – Schedule
Full schedule for Wednesday, June 29
Saturday, July 2 – Musician Bios
More on the musicians performing Saturday, July 2
Sunday, June 26 – Schedule
Full schedule for Sunday, June 26
Wednesday, June 29 – Musician Bios
More about the musicians performing Wednesday, June 29
Laura Dubin
Laura Dubin began taking piano lessons from her mom, a classical pianist, while she was growing up in Brighton. But there was another pianist in the family, her uncle, David, who visited from California. “He played a little jazz and showed me how to improvise,” says Dubin, who was 7 at the time. “He played…
Sunday, June 26 – Musician Bios
More about the musicians performing Sunday, June 26
CAJUN | Pine Leaf Boys
If you wanna split hairs, Cajun music is a little more reserved and less wild than its rowdy swamp cousin, zydeco. Cajun is more waltz-based whereas zydeco is a diatonic blast of four on the floor rockin’ rhythm. That’s not to say Cajun musicians can’t kick out the jams. Take for instance four-time Grammy nominees…
Feedback 6/15
We welcome your comments. Send them to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. Comments of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published, and we do edit selections for publication in print. We don’t publish comments sent to other media. That’s cold…
SPECIAL EVENT | War of 1812 celebration
The Genesee Country Village & Museum will revisit the War of 1812 for this weekend. GCV will bring the era of the “forgotten war” to life through re-enactors portraying common characters of the time, such as shopkeepers and merchants, and war-related rolls that will speak about the conflict and its impact on Upstate New York.…
Junior Brown
Junior Brown’s playing is a hybrid blur of chicken pickin’ prestidigitation and salaciously slick slide. It’s as if he was channeling Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West simultaneously and couldn’t decide which one to pick. Flummoxed by the dilemma, Brown came up with an instrument that can do both — an instrument that can be played…
The City Seen: June 18
City last weekend stopped in to see Nate Hodge and Cordell Cordaro’s collaborative exhibit of artwork that currently fills the 26th floor of The Metropolitan at One South Clinton Avenue. Formerly called Lincoln First Tower, and then later Chase Tower, the 1974 building is an iconic part of Rochester’s skyline and is known for its…
Urban Action 6/15
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. All are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Discussion on ending the Cuba embargo Rochester Committee on Latin America will hold its 27th “Cuba Friendshipment Picnic” at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21. Manolo De Los Santos, a representative of Pastors…
SPECIAL EVENT | Mad Mag
The Memorial Art Gallery remembers the 1960’s well, and its event, Mad Mag, is all about celebrating it. Attendees in 60’s attire can drink classic cocktails, and the 21-and-over event will have music by DJ Alykhan, dancing, ice cream, photo opportunities, and giveaways for the best costumes. Hart’s Local Grocers, The Little Theatre, Nox, Selena’s,…
John Abercrombie
Fusion music didn’t exist when guitarist John Abercrombie plied his craft at a Boston supper club in the late 1960’s.
POP | Transviolet
Rochester band Transviolet is almost — almost progressive; almost synthetic; almost pop. But it’s all the way beautiful in quick stabs to the soul. Vocally it is a curious affair floating above an epic display. It’s both huge and delicate. It’s the only band in this sensational bill I’m yet to see … I can’t…
Stout continues the neighborhood bar tradition
The neighborhood watering hole has been immortalized in books, television, and film over and over again, from “Cheers” to “Trees Lounge.” The pub serves as a sort of community center: a place for neighbors to meet and talk about everything from local politics to how Aunt Helen got through her bypass surgery. The building at…
SPECIAL EVENT | East End City Celebration
Rochester’s East End City Celebration is back for three nights this summer. During the City Celebrations, East Avenue between Gibbs and Scio Street will be blocked off to traffic for festival-goers to mingle, eat, and enjoy the East End neighborhood. A variety of food and beer trucks will be set up in the street, along…
Monday, June 27 – Schedule
Full schedule for Monday, June 27
Avishai Cohen
Soon after moving from Israel to New York in the 1990’s, bassist Avishai Cohen began playing with top artists, including Danilo Pérez, Wynton Marsalis, and Joshua Redman. In 1997, Chick Corea signed him to his Stretch record label and asked Cohen to join his band. Over the last two decades, Cohen has recorded 15 albums,…
Print Club show digs into archive for inspiration
In the tradition of creating artwork “after” existent artwork, the Print Club of Rochester’s 85th anniversary members’ juried exhibition, “Echoes of the Past,” presented participating artists with the opportunity to create a new work in response to prints collected in the club’s archives. The resultant show of 30 prints is currently on display in RIT’s…
Monday, June 27 – Musician Bios
More on the musicians performing Monday, June 27
Midnight turns darkness into passionate soul
The beauty of the electro-soul music project is how it captures the full range of emotions that creep out of the late-night hours: romantic vulnerability, unease, danger, anger, even sadness.
MuCCC hosts robust contemporary dance program
Summer in Rochester usually offers audiences little in the way of dance. However, for the third summer in a row, the Multi-Use Community Cultural Center will host a contemporary dance festival. Dances at MuCCC 2016, a festival of contemporary dance, runs from Tuesday, June 21, through Saturday, June 25, and will pull from a wide…
JAZZ | The Out Louds
If improvisation turns you on, the Bop Shop is the place to be Sunday night when three of the top free jazz players on the New York scene take the stage. After her years with Anthony Braxton, Mary Halvorson is widely considered to be among the most innovative guitarists playing today. Ben Goldberg (clarinet) and…
Thursday, June 30 – Schedule
Full schedule for Thursday, June 30
Lizz Wright
When I caught up with vocalist and composer Lizz Wright by phone, she was in New York City getting ready to sing at a benefit for The Innocence Project. Wright, who synthesizes R&B, jazz, folk, blues, and gospel music, is still basking in the glow of her excellent new album, “Freedom & Surrender.” Produced by…
ALBUM REVIEW: “Flow”
Ari Erev “Flow” Self-released arierev.com Anyone who has paid attention to the jazz scene over the past several decades knows that the great American art form has spread around the world, and not just in terms of listening. Israel has an active jazz scene as evidenced by all of the excellent players who make their…
ART | “Oculus”
Rochester sculptor Kyle Blalock has installed his exhibition, “Oculus,” in Maker’s Gallery for the month of June. Cast bronze and iron are commonly used in Blalock’s sculptures, but he also ventures away with materials like leather, walnut, railroad ties, and water. An oculus is known as a round, eye-like opening or design, and the exhibit…
Tuesday, June 28 – Schedule
Full schedule for Tuesday, June 28
ALBUM REVIEW: “Trade Winds: Cuba”
Matt Geraghty Project “Trade Winds: Cuba” Self-released mattgeraghty.com Bassist Matt Geraghty takes the concept of world music literally. Over his career, he has traveled to four continents, exploring the music of diverse cultures in his recordings. For his latest CD, “Trade Winds: Cuba,” he traveled to Cuba and spent 21 days recording 21 improvisations with…
Festival Information
Tickets, Venues, Parking, and Additional Information
HARDCORE PUNK | Agnostic Front
Using punk as a departure point, Agnostic Front dived into hardcore in the 1980’s and earned a reputation as one of rock’s most intense live bands. Anyone who has attended an Agnostic Front show will tell you that you’d better be ready for a mosh pit, flying elbows, or at least, a concert stuck on…
Thursday, June 30 – Musician Bios
More on the musicians performing Thursday, June 30
Friday, June 24 – Schedule
Full schedule for Friday, June 24
POP | 98PXY Summer Jam
Eight high-energy pop acts will fill out this year’s 98PXY Summer Jam at Frontier Field on Friday, with Iggy Azalea headlining. The festival also includes R&B singer Charlie Puth; electro-house duo The Chainsmokers; singer-songwriter Mike Posner; reggae musician Shaggy; Troye Sivan; Daya; and Melanie Martinez. Concessions will be sold on site. An after-party will be…
Emefe
Though usually pegged as entertainers, musicians don’t necessarily owe their audience a damn thing. This is particularly the case when said band is focused on exorcising its own demons, and is pursuing its muse. Take for instance New York City’s Emefe: The band dresses up its funk grooves with new wave-type electronica. And this isn’t…
Film review: “The Conjuring 2”
I missed “The Conjuring” when it was released in theaters back in 2013, but caught up with it later once it hit the home market. It’s a testament to the strength of director James Wan’s vision and skill that even watching it in broad daylight, in the middle of the afternoon, it still made me…
The Orlando tragedy and our struggle against hate
Yes, we need to talk about gun control and ISIS-inspired terrorism. But we also have to talk about hate.
