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

Fresh live jazz in and around Rochester, June 18-24 (and beyond)

June 17, 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.

Heading out to the Rochester International Jazz Festival? 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. The listings here are the other live jazz around Rochester. . . .
Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Vince Ercolamento & Higher Ground Quartet featuring Joe Chiappone @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- Marco Amadio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- John Nyerges @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- Dan Dovideo @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
- Side Step @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- Marye Lobb & Ryan Johnson @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Bill Tiberio Septet @ Remedy at the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, 7:00 pm
- Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
Friday, June 19, 2026
- Darryl Parker Trio @ Rochester HarborFest, 3:30 pm
- Beach Avenue Band @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Patio), 4:00 pm
- Adam Lynch @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- Mike & Julie Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- Indigo Breeze Bone Trio @ Harborfest at Ontario Beach Park, 6:00 pm
- Celebrate Juneteenth with Ron Carter & Foursight to benefit the The Black Community Focus Fund @ Hochstein Performance Hall, 6:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Higher Ground Jazz Duo with John Nyerges @ Ravenswood Golf Club 6:00 pm
- Side Step @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- The Momentum Trio @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Father’s Day Brunch with DJ Shann playing jazz, R&B & Motown @ Annette’s American Bistro, 10:30 am
- Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings with Jack’s Jammers @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- Darryl Parker Trio @ Rochester HarborFest, 3:30 pm
- Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- Eric, Dan & Kara Trio @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Side Step @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Pullano & Price @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Darryl Parker Trio @ Rochester HarborFest, 3:30 pm
- Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters @ Rose Hill Mansion (Geneva), 5:00 pm
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Side Step/Jam Session @ Eden Coffee (East end), 3:00 pm
- History of Jazz Piano Workshop featuring Jeremy Sisskind @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Paradigm Shift @ Courtyard Hotel (Downtown), 4:00 pm
- Djangoners @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Stromboli’s, 7:00 pm
- Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Rochester Community Foundation Evening Out with Jazz (including a “fireside chat” with Tito Puente, Jr, Nestor Torres, and Simeon Banister), supporting the Arts & Culture Fund @ The Mercantile on Main, 4:30 to 7:00 (more info & tickets)
- Mike Kelly Quartet @ Backroom Lounge at the Record Archive, 5:00 pm
- Ann Mitchell with Simon Fletcher @ Canandaigua Country Club, 5:30 pm
- Ben Miller @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 6:00 pm
Looking for some live jazz later this month and beyond? Then click on the arrow to open it up here . . . .
- 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: Sonic Chasers Trio @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 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
- 2nd: Margaret Explosion @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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: Cinque Quintet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 3rd: Mel Henderson & Marvin Dolly Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 3rd: Annie Wells Band @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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
- 6th: Blue Barn Cats @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 8th: Dean Keller Soul Jazz Joint @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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
- 10th: Trio East @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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
- 13th: Blue Barn Cats @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 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)
- 15th: Jon Randall Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 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: Laura Dubin & Antonio Guerrero @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 18th: Mary DeFranco Jazz Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 20th: Blue Barn Cats @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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: Rich Thompson Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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: Steve Grillls and the Roadmasters @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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
- 26th: Dean Keller’s Soul Jazz Joint @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 27th: Blue Barn Cats @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 30th: GateSwingers Big Band @ Casa Largo Winery (Fairport), 6:00 pm
- 30th: Rick Holland Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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
- 31st: Bop Arts presents Todd Marcus/Virginia MacDonald Quintet @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
Looking Out into August for Live Jazz?
- 1st: NPV @ House of Guitars, outside stage (Irondequoit), 2:00 pm
- 7th: Indigo Breeze Trio @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 8th: NPV @ Psychic Garden, 8:00 pm
- 10th: WGMC Jazz 90.1 presents Bill Tiberio & Friends @ Jazz Cruise on the Colonial Belle (Fairport), 6:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 14th: Jazz on Tap: The Darryl Parker Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- 15th: Clarissa Street Reunion: Honoring The Python Room (inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2026) (more info)
- 15th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings with Jack’s Jammers @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- 21st: Jazz on Tap: Jazz Generation @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- 28th: Jazz on Tap: Paradigm Shift @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
Some special live jazz even later …
- 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 22, 2026

June 6, 2026
The fourth night of the Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of those nights where there are choices I had to make due to timing as these Picks are possible to hear logistics-wise but I just couldn’t make others I wanted to hear work. So, you do you, but if you’re interested here are the artists/groups I am aiming to hear on June 22nd of the 2026 RIJF. The headings are links to the artists’ RIJF page so you can check them out yourself. It is possible to go hear the full sets on these picks (well, not this time, as explained below). I’ve added links at the end to others I wish I could fit in.

NYC Jazz All Stars Featuring Eric Alexander & Jeremy Pelt

I’ve heard trumpeter Jeremy Pelt play a number of times, both at the RIJF and other gigs in Rochester. The first time I heard Eric Alexander play saxophone was in the 90s at a gig in Chicago (where I lived for about 25 years) with B3 organ master Charles Earland. I’ve seen him several times at RIJF and in Rochester as a sideman and leader. I’ve never seen them together and with the killer band they are bringing, I didn’t want to miss this swinging set. This is an RIJF Producer Pick.

Venue: Temple Theater

Time: 7:00 pm & 9:15 pm

Dave Stryker Quartet with Troy Roberts

Guitarist Dave Stryker built his sound, praised by Pat Metheny as having a “joyous feel,” working with organist Jack McDuff and a long relationship with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. He has recorded more than 35 albums, the latest Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session brought his long-time organ trio, including organist Jared Gold, into the legendary Rudy Van Gelder studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Stryker and Gold will be joined by drummer Steve Johns and 3x Grammy-nominated saxophonist Troy Roberts, who has performed or recorded with Joey DeFrancesco, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Orrin Evans, John Scofield, and Veronica Swift, among others, and released 16 recordings as a leader.

Venue: Theater at Innovation Square

Time: 6:30 pm & 8:45 pm

Allan Harris Quartet

Male vocalists are not as common at the RIJF. Even though he’s been at it for a long time, I’ve managed to miss Allan Harris (I think he was last at the RIJF in 2017). Born in Brooklyn and based in Harlem, this vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader has a voice the Miami Herald described as blessed with “the warmth of Tony Bennett, the bite and rhythmic sense of Sinatra, and the sly elegance of Nat ‘King’ Cole.” Now, given how my itinerary works out this time, I’m afraid I may miss a bit of his last set at Max’s, but the mellifluous tones of Mr. Harris will likely be a nice way to close out the night.

Venue: Max of Eastman Place (also June 23rd at Montage Music Hall)

Time: 6:15 pm & 10:00 pm (6:00 pm & 10:00 pm on the 23rd)

You Might Also Consider …

Although I wanted to, I likely won’t be hearing these artists but that doesn’t mean you can’t:
- Raul Midón: I’m leaving Midón off my itinerary because I’ve heard him more than once at the RIJF (he’s been here 5 times, although the last was over 10 years ago in 2015). You can’t go wrong with this singer-songwriter and guitarist celebrated for his singular fusion of soul, jazz, Latin, and acoustic music.
- The Headhunters: I really wanted to hear the Headhunters but could not make it work with the Alexander/Pelt and Stryker gigs. I still may find a way. The Headhunters have never played the RIJF before.
As my itinerary for this night has some gaps, I will be wandering around a bit listening to the rest of the (free) festival at times but that’s an opportunity for discovery (and perhaps some grub and a cigar). 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