You have found the most comprehensive weekly guide to live jazz in and around Rochester, NY—with listings for the live jazz we know about from October 15-21, plus looking ahead through the rest of October and November (and a few items of special interest well into next year). We’ll start adding more December dates next week.
Use the listings below to plan your week; click the arrow at the bottom for live jazz later this month and beyond. There are 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). And 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 JazzRochester so they can join us here or on our other channels.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Gordon Webster Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- Dave Turner Group @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:30 pm
- Marco Amadio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 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
- RIJF Innovation Series: The New York Voices (Farewell Tour) @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
Friday, October 16, 2026
- Sean Kiefer presents the music of Kenny Wheeler and Ambrose Akinmusire @ Eastman School of Music, Sibley Music Library “Jazz in the Stacks” (Rochester, East End), 3:30 pm
- Connie Fredericks-Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- Darryl Parker Quartet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- Dino Losito & Joe Carelio @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- Eastman Jazz Series with Tyler Walter @ The Alexander (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Jazz 90.1 Used CD Sale @ WGMC Studios at Greece Olympia School Library (Greece), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. (more info)
- Vince Ercolamento Latin Jazz Experience @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- Mike Kaupa & Noah Shumway @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- Rev Kingfish’s Birthday Spectacular @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 7:00 pm
- Stereo Field Recordings presents: Jacob Merrill & Cool New Wave @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Faculty Artist Series: Clay Jenkins @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm (ticketed)
Monday, October 19, 2026
- No jazz for you? Watch back here in case I hear of something ….
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Dawn Thompson Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- Eastman New Jazz Orchestra (Dave Rivello, Dir.) @ Kilbourn Hall (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Prime Time Brass @ Tropix (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: The Future Is Vintage World Tour @ Kodak Center (Downtown), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- Bop Arts presents Transylvanian Dance: A Multimedia Concert featuring Lucian Ban & Mat Manieri @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & 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 …?
- 22nd: Gordon Webster Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 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 (Rochester, East End), 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: Eastman Jazz Series with Sean Kiefer & Company @ The Alexander (Rochester, East End), 7:00 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: Jacob Merrill Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 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 (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm
- 27th: Blue Barn Cats @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 27th: Eastman Jazz Voice Ensemble (Sara Gazarek, Dir.) @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm
- 28th: Prime Time Brass @ Tropix (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 29th: Gordon Webster Trio @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 29th: Ralph DeBergalis @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 29th: 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: Jacob David Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 30th: Ken Foster Groove-tet featuring Ryan Johnson @ Acquilano Wine Cellars (Canandaigua), 7:00 pm
- 30th: Faculty Artist Series: Sara Gazarek @ ESM Hatch Recital Hall (Rochester, East End), 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: Charlie Mitchell Quartet @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 3rd: Eastman Jazz Lab Band (Marshall Gilkes, Dir.) @ Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre (Rochester, East End), 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 (Rochester, East End), 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: Latin Jazz with the Caribe Quartet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 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: Higher Ground Jazz Duo @ 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
- 12th: WGMC Jazz 90.1 presents Kenny Foster’s Game Night Quartet @ Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road (Greece), 7:00 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
- 16th: Eastman Jazz Workshop Ensemble (D.J. Rice, student Dir.) @ Kilbourn Hall (Rochester, East End), 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 (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- February 11, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: John Pizzarelli Trio @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Rochester, East End), 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, East End), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- March 18, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: Bria Skonberg @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- April 8, 2027: RIJF Innovation Series: The Sergio Mendes Band @ The Theater at Innovation Square (Rochester, East End), 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 (Rochester, East End), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
