After 18 years, the secret is out. The Rochester International Jazz Festival isn’t really a jazz festival. It’s actually a culture museum of many rooms. But on Friday night, opening night of the nine-day event, the fest did have its giant jazz moment: the Steve Gadd Band, at Eastman Theatre’s Kodak Hall. Gadd is a […]
CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival
Posted inMusic
Jazz Fest 2019, Day 1: Frank reviews Jake Shimabukuro, Scott Sharrard, and Downchild Blues Band with Dan Aykroyd
A human music box Jake Shimabukuro is reality; he’s the truth. When I said that as I walked out of his early show at Geva Theatre Center, I felt like the people who left with me may have only latched onto the ukulele master’s hyperbolic slash-and-burn, and not more to his understated charm. Don’t get […]
Posted inMusic
Jazz Fest interview: Sullivan Fortner
He was born in the birthplace of jazz, but New Orleans native Sullivan Fortner grew up steeped in gospel music. Now a fast-rising star in the jazz world, the pianist will play June 28 and 29 at the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival.
Posted inMusic
Jazz Fest 2019: Meet CITY’s jazz bloggers
Frank De Blase I agree with Frank Zappa when he said writing about music is like dancing to architecture. I’ve been dancing to architecture for 20 years for CITY Newspaper and this is his 17th year writing about the Rochester International Jazz Festival. I consider it the most wonderful time of the year. I like […]
Posted inMusic
What to expect at the 2019 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival
In its 18th year, tectonic shifts continue to shape the Rochester International Jazz Festival landscape. The newest and most significant development at the festival is music throughout all nine nights on the famous gravel lot known as Parcel 5.
Posted inSpecial Sections
Jazz Fest 2019: CITY’s Daily Jazz Blogs
The 2019 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival runs from Friday, June 21, through Saturday, June 29, and CITY Newspaper will be out every night of the festival, covering multiple shows. Check back each day for reviews, photos and video of each nights festivities. For live updates follow us on Instagram @roccitynews and follow the hashtag […]
Posted inMusic
Laura Dubin Trio brings ‘West Side Story’ to 2019 CGI RIJF
Two young people from different backgrounds meet and fall in love — and society tears them apart. You may recognize that as “West Side Story.” Here’s another story: Two young people from different backgrounds meet and fall in love — and end up making music together all over the world.
Posted inMusic
2019 CGI RIJF offers daytime concerts, workshops
The 2019 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival will host 12 p.m. performances at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County and 1 p.m. jazz workshops at the Eastman School of Music’s Ray Wright Room, Monday June 24 through Friday, June 28.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Steve Miller Band added to 2019 Jazz Festival
Steve Miller Band has been named the final headliner of the 2019 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival, which runs from June 21 to 29.
Posted inNews & Opinion
2019 Rochester Jazz Festival names George Benson and Steve Gadd Band as headliners
The 2019 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival, taking place June 21 through 29, has announced its first headliners: George Benson and Steve Gadd Band.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Jazz Festival has new venues, club-pass changes
It’s only October, and there’s already big news in local jazz. The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival announced major changes this morning for its 2019 event, including two new venues – Parcel 5 and Geva – and a more user-friendly club pass policy. The festival, which will run from June 21 to 29, will stage […]
