JazzRochester – Fresh live jazz in and around Rochester, NY…

Fresh live jazz in and around Rochester, June 11-17 (and beyond)

June 10, 2026
Each week JazzRochester gathers the listings for live jazz to hear around Rochester for the next seven days, which are immediately below. Open the rest of the post at the end of this week’s listings and you’ll find live jazz we have heard about through the last bit of May and June, a start on July, plus some items of special interest beyond that. If you’re receiving this post via the email list you are seeing all the listings.

Check back on the site from time to time between now and next Wednesday as I will update the post throughout the week as I hear about new live jazz gigs around town until the next post is published (or make corrections). Please tell your jazz-loving friends about the site so they can join us here or on our other channels.

This post takes us into the week that the Rochester International Jazz Festival begins. Check out my picks for what I’ll be wrapping my ears around at the RIJF and follow all of our RIJF coverage by selecting the Category RIJF 2026.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Vince Ercolamento and the Latin Jazz Experience @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- Ryan Johnson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- Joe Fornieri @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- Dave Turner @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- The Flock @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 6:00 pm
- Max Robbins & Friends @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
Friday, June 12, 2026
- Adam Lunch @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- Mike Pallini @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- Uptown Groove Duo @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Jazz On Tap: The Darryl Parker Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- Gerry Youngman/Mel Henderson Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- Tommy Gravino @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- Max Robbins Group @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Braden Jones @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Mel Henderson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- Jake Wark @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- Fred DiCesare @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- Dan and Eric’s Jazz Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 7:00 pm
- Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- Bob Sneider Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Darryl Parker @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Real News Band @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
- Steve Grills and the Roadmasters @ Dinosaur BBQ, 9:00 pm
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, The All In Brass Band, Funkyard Brass Band and many others @ Brasstacular! Benefit Concert for Honor Flight Rochester, Greece American Legion Post 468, 344 Dorsey Road (Greece), 11:00 am-7:00 pm (more info on Facebook)
- Steve Grills and the Roadmasters @ Keuka Arts Festival (Penn Yann), 2:00 pm
Monday, June 15, 2026
- No jazz for you?
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
- Conversations in Jazz with Jacob Merrill Trio @ Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, Dorris Carlson Reading Room, 12:00 pm
- Charlie Mitchell Group @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- The Highland Park Conservancy presents Jazz in the Bowl with the Excursion Jazz Orchestra (Don Sherman, Dir.) with the Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ Highland Park Bowl
- 16th: Darryl Parker Trio @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 16th: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra @ Backroom Lounge at The Record Archive, 5:00 pm
- Ben Miller Trio @ Spotted Octopus Brewing, 56 South Union Street (Downtown), 6:00 pm
- Jazz Jam @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- Prime Time Brass @ Pane Vino on the River, 7:00 pm
- Public Water Supply Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
Looking for some live jazz later this month and beyond? Then click on the arrow to open it up here . . . .
- 18th: Vince Ercolamento & Higher Ground Quartet featuring Joe Chiappone @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- 18th: Marco Amadio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 18th: John Nyerges @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- 18th: Dan Dovideo @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 18th: Side Step @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 18th: Bill Tiberio Septet @ Remedy at the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, 7:00 pm
- 18th: Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 19th: Darryl Parker Trio @ Rochester HarborFest, 3:30 pm
- 19th: Beach Avenue Band @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Patio), 4:00 pm
- 19th: Adam Lynch @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 19th: Mike & Julie Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 19th: Indigo Breeze Bone Trio @ Harborfest at Ontario Beach Park, 6:00 pm
- 19th: Celebrate Juneteenth with Ron Carter & Foursight to benefit the The Black Community Focus Fund @ Hochstein Performance Hall, 6:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 19th: Higher Ground Jazz Duo with John Nyerges @ Ravenswood Golf Club 6:00 pm
- 19th: Side Step @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 19th: The Momentum Trio @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- 20th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings with Jack’s Jammers @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- 20th: Darryl Parker Trio @ Rochester HarborFest, 3:30 pm
- 20th: Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 20th: Side Step @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 20th: Pullano & Price @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- 21st: Darryl Parker Trio @ Rochester HarborFest, 3:30 pm
- 21st: Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters @ Rose Hill Mansion (Geneva), 5:00 pm
- 22nd: Side Step/Jam Session @ Eden Coffee (East end), 3:00 pm
- 22nd: History of Jazz Piano Workshop featuring Jeremy Sisskind @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 23rd: Djangoners @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- 23rd: Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Stromboli’s, 7:00 pm
- 23rd: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- 24th: Ann Mitchell with Simon Fletcher @ Canandaigua Country Club, 5:30 pm
- 24th: Ben Miller @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 25th: Vince Ercolamento and the Latin Jazz Experience @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- 25th: Mike Pullano @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 25th: Karl LaPorta @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 25th: The Flock @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 6:00 pm
- 26th: Ann Mitchell with Simon Fletcher @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 26th: Mike Pallini @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 26th: Larry Ferrante @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 26th: Bob Sneider Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 26th: Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 27th: Special Blend Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 27th: Giovanni Vona @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 27th: Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters @ Irondequoit Beer Co., 6:00 pm
- 27th: The Leon Hsu Group @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 28th: Heart Throbs Trad Jazz Band @ Spotted Octopus Brewing, 3:00 pm
- 29th: Bob Sneider Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 29th: Bop Arts presents David Murray & Kahil El’Zabar @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, eventually…)
- 29th: Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 30th: Bossa Nova Bradley Brothers @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- 30th: Cool Club with Marilla, Dave & Rick @ Wood Library (Canandaigua), 6:00 pm
- 30th: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
Looking for Live Jazz in July?
- 1st: Jazz on the Deck: Darryl Parker Trio @ Canandaigua Country Club (Canandaigua), 5:00 pm
- 1st: Gian Carlo Cervone’s Lakeview Hot Record Club @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 2nd: Light Jazz with Bob Pizzutiello @ Strong Memorial Hospital Interfaith Chapel, 2:00 pm
- 2nd: Fred DiCesare @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 3rd: Fred Vine Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 3rd: Jim Nugent @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 3rd: The Flock @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 6:00 pm
- 3rd: Mel Henderson & Marvin Dolly Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 3rd: Cinque Quintet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 3rd: Simon Fletcher Trio @ Linden Social Club (Geneva), 8:00 pm
- 4th: Connie Fredericks Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 4th: Luca Santana & Bienvenido Denzy @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 9th-12th: Syracuse Jazz Festival @ Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards & Syracuse University (website)
- 9th: Eastman Summer: Jazz Student Small Ensemble Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:30 pm
- 9th: Ryan Johnson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 10th: Eastman Summer: Jazz Student Large Ensemble Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:30 pm
- 10th: Mike Pallini @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 10th: Jazz on Tap: Bob Sneider Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 10th: Joel Kastner & Chuck Underwood @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 11th: Moondance Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 11th: Mike Pallini @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 11th: Ryan Johnson & Glen Cummings @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 11th: Darryl Parker Trio @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 14th: WGMC Jazz 90.1 and The Ontario Beach Park Program Committee present Jazz at the Beach with On Clave @ Tropic Night Club (Charlotte), 7:00 pm
- 14th: Bop Arts presents Barry Altschul, Joe Fonda, Kenny Wessel & Hayes Greenfield @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 16th: Marco Amadio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 16th: John Troy Group @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- 17th: Connie Fredericks Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 17th: Indigo Breeze Trio @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 17th: Beach Avenue Band @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 17th: Andrew Martelle & Mike Van Allen @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 18th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00 pm
- 18th: Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 18th: Mike & Julie Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 18th: Mary DeFranco Jazz Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 20th: Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Boccacini’s (Fairport), 7:00 pm
- 22nd: Eastman Summer: Trombone Jazz Night Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:30 pm
- 23rd: Mike Pullano @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 23rd: Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 24th: Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 24th: Darryl Parker Trio @ Backroom Lounge at The Record Archive, 7:00 pm
- 24th: Jazz on Tap: ESP Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 24th: Chris Cady Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 24th: Daniel King & Keith Dudinski @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 24th: Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 25th: Special Blend Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 25th: Marvin Dolly & Ed Croft @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 25th: Darryl Parker Trio @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 30th: GateSwingers Big Band @ Casa Largo Winery (Fairport), 6:00 pm
- 31st: Jazz on Tap: Jon Randall Octet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 31st: Mike Kelly & Dave Arenius @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
Some special live jazz even later …
- August 15th: Clarissa Street Reunion: Honoring The Python Room (inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2026)
- October 4th: Bop Arts presents Dimensionality @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, eventually)
- October 7th: Samara Joy with Septet @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets)
- October 14th: Bop Arts presents New Origin Trio featuring Joe Fonda, Harvey Sorgen & Christophe Rocher @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, eventually)
- November 5th: Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets on sale 4/10, 4/9 for members)
- November 8th: Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present Nicole Zuraitis Quintet @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- November 13th: Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione @ Kodak Center, 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- December 6th: Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present Swinging in the Holidays featuring Champian Fulton and Carmen Bradford @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- March 14, 2027: Alfredo Rodríguez Trio @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- April 22, 2027: Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate the Ballads of John Coltrane @ Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
Click on the links where available for more information on the gig or tickets, or check out the venue’s website in the right panel. For the most part only start times for the gigs are listed, call the venue or visit their website for more details about when the doors open, how long the band will be playing, etc. Most shows do not have a cover. Please let me know if you’ve heard about any gigs that I may have missed here or if I have anything wrong (see the Contact Us link above to send an email if that’s how you roll).
Categories: Current Listings

Rochester’s local musicians shine at the 2026 RIJF

June 13, 2026
Every June, the nine days of the Rochester International Jazz Festival lights up the city, drawing international attention to our vibrant music scene. However, it’s important not to overlook the exceptional jazz and music talent we have right here at home the other 356 days of the year. From incredibly talented jazz bands from local high schools to Eastman School of Music students and faculty to acclaimed year-round professionals, many of Rochester’s local musicians take the stage at RIJF, giving you an opportunity to hear them in a festival setting and discover artists worth following all year long (in these pages, I hope…). Celebrating local music, this year the RIJF has increased the visibility of our local artists, replacing the Club Pass venue Big Tent with a free Wegman’s Pavilion in its redesigned “Rhythm Square” that spotlights Rochester’s own and sprinkling them into the Club Pass venues as well.

Below, you’ll find this year’s lineup of local musicians and groups at RIJF. Check their page on the RIJF’s site for more (many of them have websites on our Rochester Jazz Musicians and Groups page). If we’ve missed anyone, drop me a note and I’ll be happy to add them. I’ve noted the ones that are Club Pass, but the rest are free.

Friday, June 19, 2025
- Harley School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Greece Arcadia High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- Pittsford Sutherland High School @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- Paul Hofmann & Bob Sneider Play Stevie Wonder @ Hatch Recital Hall, 5:45 pm
- All in Brass Band @ Wegmans Pavilion, 6:00 pm
- The Campbell Brothers @ Temple Theater, 9:15 pm (Club Pass)
- Jimmie Highsmith Jr. @ Wegmans Pavilion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Mike Cottone @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Saturday, June 20, 2025
- Greece Olympia High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Penfield High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- School of the Arts Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- 78 Rpm Big Band @ Wegmans Pavillion, 6:00 pm
- Ryan Johnson & Escape Terrain @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Judah Sealy @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Mike Cottone @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Sunday, June 21, 2025
- Gates High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Joey Stempian Big Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- Joey Stempian Big Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- Penfield Big Band @ Wegmans Pavillion, 6:00 pm
- Bill Tiberio Band @ The Duke, 7:30 pm & 9:45 pm (Club Pass)
- Dirty Blanket @ Wegmans Pavilion, 7:45 pm
- Fall Creek Brass Band @ Wegmans Pavillion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Bob Sneider @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Monday, June 22, 2025
- Mike Melito @ Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 12:00 pm
- Webster Thomas High School Jazz Band @ City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation, 3:45 pm
- Spencerport High School Jazz Band @ City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation, 4:30 pm
- Brockport High School Jazz Band @ City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation, 5:15 pm
- Charles Pillow Octet featuring Amy Azzara @ The Inn on Broadway, 5:30 pm & 7:45 pm (Club Pass)
- ESM Jazz Honors Unit 1 @ Jazz Street Stage, 6:00 pm
- Brockport Big Band @ Wegmans Pavilion, 6:00 pm
- RIJF-ESM Scholarship Concert @ Jazz Street Stage, 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm
- Novasonic @ Wegmans Pavilion, 7:45 pm
- Europa @ Wegmans Pavilion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Bob Sneider @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Tuesday, June 23, 2025
- Prime Time Brass @ Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 12:00 pm
- Alexander High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Webster Schroeder High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- Greece Athena High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- Harold Danko @ Hatch Recital Hall, 5:45 & 7:45 pm (Club Pass
- Greece Jazz Band @ Wegmans Pavilion, 6:00 pm
- Music Educators Big Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- Sarah De Valliere & the Rhythmwell @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Viavattine Brothers @ Wegmans Pavillion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Bob Sneider @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Wednesday, June 24, 2025
- Mel Henderson 4tet @ Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 12:00 pm
- Honeoye Falls-Lima High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- West Irondequoit High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- Pittsford Mendon High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- New Horizons Jazz Ensemble @ Wegmans Pavilion, 6:00 pm
- ECMS Faculty with Special Guest Vocalists @ Jazz Street Stage, 6:00 pm
- Grupo Ife @ Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, 7:00 pm
- Rochester Metro Jazz Orchestra @ Jazz Street Stage, 7:30 & 9:30 pm
- Almost There Band @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Public Water Supply @ Wegmans Pavillion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Bob Sneider @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Thursday, June 25, 2025
- Katy Eberts @ Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 12:00 pm
- Brighton High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Victor High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- Canandaigua High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- Laura Dubin Trio @ Hatch Recital Hall, 5:45 pm & 7:45 pm (Club Pass)
- ESM Jazz Honors Unit 2 @ Jazz Street Stage, 6:00 pm
- Victor High School Jazz Band @ Wegmans Pavillion, 6:00 pm
- Robin Mc Kelle & the Flytones Stax Soul Sessions @ Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, 7:00 pm
- Excursion Jazz Orchestra, Don Sherman, Dir. @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Scoulive Celebrating the Music of John Scofield and Soulive @ Wegmans Pavillion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Bob Sneider @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Friday, June 26, 2025
- Margaret Explosion @ Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 12:00 pm
- Fairport High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Bloomfield High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- Eastridge High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- Mike Kaupa’s Eastman Community Music School Ensembles & Junior Jazz @ Jazz Street Stage, 6:00 pm
- Prime Time Brass @ Wegmans Pavillion, 6:00 pm
- Mambo Kings @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Freddy Colon & 5 Con Swing @ Wegmans Pavillion, 9:30 pm
- Robin Mc Kelle & the Flytones Stax Soul Sessions @ Jazz Street Stage, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Mike Cottone @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Saturday, June 27, 2025
- Pal-Mac High School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 3:45 pm
- Multi-School Jazz Band @ Jazz Street Stage, 4:30 pm
- University of Rochester Jazz Ensemble @ Jazz Street Stage, 5:15 pm
- C.M.D. @ The Inn on Broadway, 5:15 pm & 7:45 pm (Club Pass)
- ESM Jazz Honors Unit 3 @ Jazz Street Stage, 6:00 pm
- The GateSwingers Big Band @ Wegmans Pavillion, 6:00 pm
- Cinnamon Jones @ Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, 7:00 pm
- Black Rabbit @ Wegmans Pavillion, 7:45 pm
- Aaron Deruyter & the Confluence @ Wegmans Pavillion, 9:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Ryan Johnson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, 10:30 pm
- Jam Session Led by Mike Cottone @ Squeezers at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 10:30 pm
Click to Check Out the Rest of our RIJF Coverage
Categories: Front Page, Local Artists, RIJF 2026, Rochester International Jazz Festival
JazzRochester at the 2026 RIJF: My picks for June 24, 2026

June 11, 2026
The sixth night of the Rochester International Jazz Festival is packed with artists I want to hear … way more than I will be able to. So, you do you, but if you’re interested here are the artists/groups I am aiming to hear on June 24th of the 2026 RIJF. The headings are links to their RIJF page so you can check them out yourself. It is possible to go hear the full sets on these picks (depending on how fast you walk, in some cases). I’ve added links at the end to a couple more I wish I could fit in.

Cécile McLorin Salvant

Cécile McLorin Salvant is so much more than a jazz singer, although she is one of the best with a string of Grammy and other awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the so-called “genius grant,” and a Doris Duke Artist Award. Just this spring she was named Jazz Journalist Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year and, with her long-time collaborator pianist Sullivan Fortner, awarded Duo of the Year. She is known for unearthing rare and forgotten songs and mining the connections in song between vaudeville, blues, global folk traditions, jazz, and baroque music. Wynton Marsalis has described her as possessing “poise, elegance, soul, humor, sensuality, power, virtuosity, range, insight, intelligence, depth and grace.” Salvant will be releasing a new album on Nonesuch Records a couple days after she appears at RIJF. On the album With Every Breath I Take, her first with orchestra, Salvant and the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley perform timeless and new songs arranged by composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue. Here’s a performance of Salvant’s composition Left Over from that album on YouTube. This one is, of course, an RIJF Producer’s Pick.

Venue: Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

Time: 7:00 pm

Avishai Cohen Big Vicious

Trumpeter Avishai Cohen, a native of Israel, grew up in a musical family with his saxophonist siblings: sister Anat and brother Yuval. Cohen has created a deep body of work on multiple projects, including his trio Triveni with bassist Omer Avital and drummer Nasheet Waits, a quartet, and the 3 Cohens, his “family band” with his siblings. After many years based in NYC, Cohen formed Big Vicious after relocating to his native Israel, gathering Israeli players to shape the music from the ground up in his most genre-defiant project. In a 2020 review of their Big Vicious album in SoundStage! Access, Joseph Taylor observed that the band “could have the impact and longevity of that of a band like Weather Report, taking jazz into new places within a more tightly structured approach to the music.” Big Vicious is an RIJF Producer’s Pick.

Venue: Temple Theater

Time: 7:00 pm & 9:15 pm

Willie Jones III featuring Eric Scott Reed

Percussionist Willie Jones III and pianist Eric Scott Reed are long-time collaborators. Jones has performed with Roy Hargrove featured on performances and tours with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, He has been the first-call drummer for artists including Sonny Rollins, Ernestine Anderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, Bill Charlap, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, and Hank Jones. Reed had a long association with Wynton Marsalis, who helped get a start and included him in many of his ensembles. He has also worked in in the bands of Freddie Hubbard and Joe Henderson. They are very likely to bring a hard-swinging sound to the RIJF over two days. If things don’t look like they will work itinerary-wise, I may have to try to work them in on the 25th.

Venue: Max of Eastman Place

Time: 6:15 pm & 10:00 pm

You Might Also Consider …

I won’t be hearing these artists, despite wishing I could, but that doesn’t mean you can’t:
- the Bad Plus: I saw this last iteration of this iconic band at the Little Theatre in February. This is their final tour. .
- Bill Frisell Trio: Bill Frisell is a frequent flyer at the RIJF and while I absolutely love listening to anything he does (and every time he comes it is unique), just couldn’t fit this one in.
- The Coltrane Sutras: This group from Canada with their blend of Indian, Japanese, Chinese, and Afro-Cuban influences sounds right up my alley, but alas ….
- Jamie Baum Septet+: The description of Baum’s compositions sounded intriguing, but I’m just going to have to check her recordings out this time around.
- The Kings of Latin Jazz Tito Puente JR. and Nestor Torres Together: This is one of the free shows at Parcel 5. It will be amazing. I hope I can at least hear a bit when walking from one place to another.
Whatever you choose, I hope you take some chances and let something unexpected grab your ears. Tell me who you’re planning on seeing in the Comments below (for those of you who get the email, you’ll have to come to the site first). I’ll be back with more picks for the rest of the RIJF soon.

Click to Check Out the Rest of our RIJF Coverage
Categories: Front Page, RIJF 2026, RIJF Picks, Rochester International Jazz Festival