After being cancelled two years in a row, the Jazz Fest will return to downtown Rochester in 2022, organizers announced on Friday.
Jazz Fest
Posted inNews & Opinion
CGI Communications takes over Jazz Festival sponsorship
The Rochester International Jazz Festival is getting a new title sponsor. The festival for 10 years has had Xerox at the head of its name, but festival organizers announced Tuesday that CGI Communications will now take on the sponsorship. Full name: CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival Presented by M&T Bank. CGI Communications, a digital marketing […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest unveils full 2014 line-up
The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival today unveiled the full line-up for the 2014 edition of the event, which will run June 20-28 in Rochester’s East End. Among the 1200 artists who will be performing at the 13th annual fest (see press release below for the full line-up), blues legend Buddy Guy was announced as […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 8: Paloma reviews Frampton’s Guitar Circus
His hair may be grey, but his eyes still sparkle that Frampton blue and his voice still croons his ballad, “Baby, I Love Your Way.” Frampton’s Guitar Circus was the headliner show tonight at the Eastman Theatre, and for two hours Peter Frampton delivered a non-stop powerhouse show that brought the audience to its feet […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 8: Willie reviews Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
Thanks to the luck of the spirit of jazz, my two top acts for the week both fell on the same night. Join me on my highlight night of the 2013 Jazz Fest. First up was New Orleans-based The Dirty Dozen Brass Band under the Big Tent. I’ve been wanting to see this group for […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 8: Frank reviews Hilario Duran, Shemekia Copeland, James Hunter Six, and Gas House Gorillas
After a 20-hour nap, I’m back. Tin Man and I tripped down the soggy brick road for more Jazz Fest lo-jinx, taking pictures, taking names, taking our time, taking care of business. First stop on Friday was Max of Eastman Place, where the security guards look imposing despite the polyester in a “you look suspicious” […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 8: Ron reviews Youn Sun Nah & Ulf Wakenius, Gregory Porter, and Phronesis
If I had to pick just one word to describe Youn Sun Nah & Ulf Wakenius it would have to be “otherworldly,” because they made sounds I hadn’t heard before in this one. Nah came out alone to begin the duo’s first set at the Lutheran Church. With only a thumb piano, she proceeded to […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 7: Paloma reviews Carmen Souza and James/Sanborn/Gadd
Authentic music. It’s what jazz is. It’s this connection these musicians make when they are so good at their craft that they are released from reality and invite us to come along. It’s what happens when you listen to jazz musicians like Bob James, David Sanborn, Steve Gadd, and Carmen Souza. It was a truly […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 7: Ron reviews Ravi Coltrane, Howard Levy, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Zoe Rahman
When I interviewed Ravi Coltrane a few years ago he told me that, because he was an infant when his father died, he hardly knew him. He was, he said, just like all of the jazz saxophonists of his generation who listened to John Coltrane. But when you’re an excellent saxophonist and you’ve got those […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 7: Eric reviews Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Mingo Fishtrap
Maybe I’m too invested in broad cultural stereotypes, or maybe I’m just a sucker for a great pair of legs. Either way I totally expected the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra to come out wearing kilts when they played the Xerox Auditorium Thursday night. I even wondered if they’d have bagpipes. But no; this is no […]
Posted inMusic
JAZZ FEST 2013, Day 5: Frank reviews David Byrne and St. Vincent
Writing is a process I cherish, and I thoroughly enjoy the challenges that it brings. But I’ve tried to write this review three times and I still have no clue where to start. Philosophically? Historically? Metaphorically? Blow-by-blow account? I’ve done a lot of letting go as of late, yet find myself still holding on to […]
Posted inMusic
MUSIC FEATURE: Steve Gadd
Most drummers would acknowledge that Steve Gadd is among the most dynamic percussionists in the world. The rest just call him Steve God. But when he talks, Gadd is no cymbal crasher; he’s disarmingly soft-spoken. The man whose brilliant solo adds the exclamation point to Steely Dan’s “Aja,” whose fife-and-drum-corps lines on Paul Simon’s “50 […]
