The most comprehensive weekly guide to live jazz in and around Rochester, NY—covering every gig we know about from October 1-7, plus looking ahead through the rest of October and November, plus a few items of special interest well into next year. Use the listings below to plan your week; click the arrow at the bottom for live jazz later this month and beyond.
Click on the links in the listings where available for more information on the gig or tickets, or check out many of the venue’s websites in the right panel. Contact the venue for more details or just to make sure the gig is happening before you go out. You can check back here 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 let me know if you’ve heard about any jazz around town that I have missed or if I have anything wrong (see the Contact Us link above to send an email). And please let your jazz-loving friends know about the site so they can join us here or on our other channels.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
- Light Jazz with Bob Pizzutiello on Chapman Bass @ Strong Memorial Hospital Interfaith Chapel, 2:00 pm
- Stewie Evans Group @ Lila’s (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Indigo Breeze Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Fred DiCesare @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
Friday, October 2, 2026
- Caribe Quartet @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Jim Nugent @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- Higher Ground Jazz Duo @ 929 Bar & Grill at Ravenwood Golf Club (Victor), 6:00 pm
- Take Three (Dan, Eric & Kara) @ Pittsford Hilton Garden, 6:00 pm
- Mel Henderson & Geoff @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- Trialogue with Special Guest(s) @ Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- Vanessa Vacanti and the Jazz Mafia @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
Saturday, October 3, 2026
- ESP Jazz Quartet @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Connie Fredericks-Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- Joel Kastner & Ariel Zylberberg @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- Laura Dubin & Antonio Guerrero @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- WILDYR @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- Steve Grills and the Roadmasters @ Dinosaur BBQ (Downtown), 9:00 pm
Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Bop Arts presents Dimensionality @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
Monday, October 5, 2026
- No jazz for you? Watch back here in case I hear of something ….
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Trio East @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- Prime Time Brass @ Tropix (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- Lakeview Hot Record CLub (Giancarlo Cervone spins classic jazz and blues 78s) @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 6:30 pm
- Margaret Explosion @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- Eastman Jazz Orchestra (Christine Jensen, Dir.) presents “Legends” (celebrating jazz centennials with works by Ray Brown, John Coltrane, Melba Liston and Miles Davis @ Kilbourn Hall, 7:30 pm
- Samara Joy with Septet @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets)
Looking for live jazz later this month and beyond that? Then click on the arrow to open it up here . . . .
Looking for Live Jazz in October …?
- 8th: Ryan Johnson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 8th: Mel Henderson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 6:00 pm
- 8th: Pawn Shop Krooks @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 8th: WGMC Jazz 90.1 presents The Joey Stempien Big Band @ Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road (Greece), 7:00 pm
- 8th: Stéphane Wrembel: Terre des Hommes @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 9th: Sonder Jazz @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 9th: Live @ 5 with Deepak Thettu & Friends @ Brown Hound Downtown at the MAG, 5:00 pm
- 9th: Mike Pallini @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 9th: Sarah DeValliere @ Lemoncello (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 9th: Jaesic Wade & Ben Miller @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 9th: Mary DeFranco Jazz Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 9th: Stéphane Wrembel: Origins @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 9th: Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane: Miles Davis & John Coltrane Centennial, Partridge Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre (St. Catherines, CA), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 9th: Steve Grills and the Roadmasters @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- 10th: Stewie Evans Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 10th: Moondance Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 10th: Ryan Johnson & Glen Cummings @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 10th: Bob Sneider Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 10th: Stéphane Wrembel: Dreamers of Dreams @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 10th: Jake Wark @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- 11th: Stéphane Wrembel: Django Brunch @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 12:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 11th: Dean Keller’s Soul Jazz Joint @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 13th: WGMC Jazz 90.1 and the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee present Jazz at the Beach with Sofrito Latin Jazz Quintet @ Tropix (Charlotte), 7:00 pm
- 14th: Bop Arts presents New Origin Trio featuring Joe Fonda, Harvey Sorgen & Christophe Rocher @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 15th: Dave Turner @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:30 pm
- 15th: Marco Amadio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 15th: The Music of Weather Report with Curtis Kendrick, David Labman, Paul DeLoria, Ron Haywood & Hector Diaz @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 7:00 pm
- 15th: RIJF Innovation Series: The New York Voices (Farewell Tour) @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 16th: Connie Fredericks-Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 16th: Dino Losito & Joe Carelio @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 16th: Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 17th: Jazz 90.1 Used CD Sale @ WGMC Studios at Greece Olympia School Library, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. (more info)
- 17th: CSE Music @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 17th: Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 17th: Mike Kaupa & Noah Shumway @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 17th: Stereo Field Recordings presents: Jacob Merrill & Cool New Wave @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 18th: Faculty Artist Series: Clay Jenkins @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall, 7:30 pm (ticketed)
- 20th: Dawn Thompson Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 20th: Eastman New Jazz Orchestra (Dave Rivello, Dir.) @ Kilbourn Hall, 7:30 pm
- 21st: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: The Future Is Vintage World Tour @ Kodak Center (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 21st: Bop Arts presents Transylvanian Dance: A Multimedia Concert featuring Lucian Ban & Mat Manieri @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 22nd: John Troy Group @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 6:00 pm
- 22nd: Mike Pullano @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 22nd: Eastman Jazz Workshop Ensemble (D.J. Rice, student Dir.) @ Kilbourn Hall, 7:30 pm
- 23rd: Victrola Voilà @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 23rd: Jazz on Tap: Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 23rd: Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 23rd: Andrew Greider and the Beach Ave Band @ Legacy Wine Bar (Downtown), 6:00 pm
- 23rd: Daniel King & Keith Dudinski @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 23rd: Chucho Valdés 85th Birthday Celebration with special guests Joe Lovano & Etienne Charles @ Dallas Morse Coors Concert Series, Bailey Hall, Cornell University (Ithaca), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 23rd: Marye Lobb @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 8:00 pm
- 23rd: Jen Howard @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- 24th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- 24th: Jackson Cavalier @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 24th: Special Blend Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 24th: Mike Kelly & Dave Arenius @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 24th: The Occasional Saints @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 24th: Carter Bowman @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- 26th: Eastman Chamber Jazz Ensemble (Gary Versace, Dir.) featuring John Ellis @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall, 7:30 pm
- 27th: Eastman Jazz Voice Ensemble (Sara Gazarek, Dir.) @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm
- 29th: Ralph DeBergalis @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 9th: Nyerges, Smith & Lake Trio + Joe Pomplii @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 6:00 pm
- 30th: Dean Keller’s Soul Jazz Joint @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 30th: Jazz 90.1 Annual Fall Listener Party with Laura Dubin & Antonio Guerrero @ WGMC Studios, Greece Olympia School (Greece), 5:30 pm (more info)
- 30th: Mel Henderson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 30th: Beach Avenue Band @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- 30th: Deepak Thettu & Armani Works @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 30th: Annie Wells Band @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 30th: Halloween Bash with the Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 7:00 pm
- 30th: Faculty Artist Series: Sara Gazarek @ ESM Hatch Recital Hall, 7:30 pm (ticketed)
- 30th: Dave Solazzo @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- 31st: CMD Jazz @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 31st: Indigo Breeze @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 31st: Canandaigua Jazz @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
Looking for Live Jazz in November …?
- 2nd: Saxology (Charles Pillow, Dir.) @ ESM Hatch Recital Hall, 7:30 pm
- 2nd: Bop Arts presents Yoke: Songs of the Japanese Supernatural, Fumi Tomita Quartet @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 3rd: Eastman Jazz Lab Band (Marshall Gilkes, Dir.) @ Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 7:30 pm
- 4th: Lakeview Hot Record CLub (Giancarlo Cervone spins classic jazz and blues 78s) @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 4th: Margaret Explosion @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 5th: Rich Thompson Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 5th: Fred DiCesare @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 5th: Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets on sale 4/10, 4/9 for members)
- 5th: RIJF Innovation Series: Mike LeDonne’s Groover Quartet @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 6th: Jim Nugent @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 6th: Indigo Breeze @ Lemoncello (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 6th: Mel Henderson & Stuart Weissman @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 6th: Einstein’s Dream @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 7th: Mike KoRnRicH Jumpin Jazz Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 7th: Connie Fredericks-Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 7th: Vince Ercolamento & Joe Chiappone @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 7th: Laura Dubin & Antonio Guerrero @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 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)
- 8th: Higher Ground Jazz Duo @ Flight Wine Bar (Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 8th: Mike Kaupa Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 11th: Dean Keller’s Soul Jazz Joint @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 12th: Rich Thompson Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 12th: Ryan Johnson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 13th: Mike Pallini @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 13th: George Miller & Eric Davidson @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 13th: Vince Ercolamento Latin Jazz Experience @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
- 13th: Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 13th: Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione @ Kodak Center (Rochester, Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 14th: Mike Pullano @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 14th: George Collichio @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 15th: Bop Arts presents Hayes Greenfield @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 16th: Eastman Jazz Workshop Ensemble (D.J. Rice, student Dir.) @ Kilbourn Hall, 7:30 pm
- 17th: Rich Thompson Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 19th: Rich Thompson Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 19th: Marco Amadio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 20th: Connie Fredericks-Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 20th: Jazz on Tap: Mike Melito Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 20th: Marye Lobb Jazz Duo @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 20th: Trio East @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 21st: NPV @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00 pm
- 21st: Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 21st: Ann Mitchell & John Gabriele @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 21st: Bob Sneider Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 27th: Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 27th: Raedwald and State St Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 28th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- 28th: Special Blend Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 28th: Mary DeFranco Jazz Duo @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
Some special live jazz even later …
- 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)
- December 12th: Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas Caravan @ Smith Opera House (Geneva), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- December 12th: Jazz 90.1 presents Smooth Jazz Holiday Bash with Deepak Thettu & Judah Sealy @ Greece Olympia School Auditorium (Greece), 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- January 14, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: Connected with Richie Goods and Chien Chien Lu @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- February 11, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: John Pizzarelli Trio @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 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)
- March 15, 2027: Pink Martini @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Rochester, Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- March 18, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: Bria Skonberg @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- April 8, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: The Sergio Mendes Band @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 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)
- May 6, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
