The most comprehensive weekly guide to live jazz in and around Rochester, NY—covering every gig we know about from September 24th through the 30th, plus looking ahead through October and November. There are also 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 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. 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, September 24, 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
- Ann Mitchell Trio with Dylon Wahlbridge & Dave Arenius @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 6:00 pm
- Mike Pullano @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- Ricky Ford Quartet @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 6:30 pm
- Jimmie Highsmith Jr. @ The Cocktail Lab (Downtown), 7:00 pm
Friday, September 25, 2026
- Fringe Festival: Steve Hahn – Music for Chapman Stick @ Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Resonance Freqs @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- The Jazz So-and-So’s @ Stromboli’s Restaurant (Downtown, East End), 6:00 pm
- Jazz on Tap: Bob Sneider Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- Jazz Generation @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- Eastman Music Jazz Series with Sean Keifer Quartet @ The Alexander (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm (Eastman students receive 10% off weekly promotions with UofR ID)
- Leon Hsu Quartet @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Sarah DeValliere @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- Mary DeFranco Jazz Trio @ La Bella Vita Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Fringe Festival: From Swing to Spain to Spotify with the Greece Jazz Band @ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Front of Sanctuary (Rochester, East Avenue), 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Mary DeFranco Jazz Trio @ La Bella Vita Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Fringe Festival: Ricky Ford Quartet @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Rochester, Downtown), 8:00 pm
- Bob Sneider @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- Beach Avenue Band @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- Special Blend Trio @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- Son Henry @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- The Flock @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Pullano & Price @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- Craig Snyder Trio @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews (Henrietta/RIT), 7:00 pm
- Fringe Festival: The GateSwingers Big Band @ Hochstein School Performance Hall (Rochester, Downtown), 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Fringe Festival: Stew Cutler and Friends @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Dan Atkinson @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 pm
Sunday, September 27, 2026
- No jazz for you? Watch back here in case I hear of something ….
Monday, September 28, 2026
- No jazz for you? Watch back here in case I hear of something ….
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- Ann Mitchell with John Gabriele & Dave Arenius @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- Laura Dubin Trio @ Irondequoit Public Library, 6:00 pm
- Benefit for the Rochester Fringe Festival: Trompe with Taylor Ho Bynum @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, free to anyone who attended any of Bop Shop’s five Fringe events)
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Jim E Leggs Trio @ Spotted Octopus Brewing (Rochester, Downtown), 6:00 pm
- Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Rochester, Downtown), 8:00 pm
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 …?
- 1st: Light Jazz with Bob Pizzutiello on Chapman Bass @ Strong Memorial Hospital Interfaith Chapel, 2:00 pm
- 1st: Stewie Evans Group @ Lila’s (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 1st: Fred DiCesare @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 2nd: Jim Nugent @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 2nd: Higher Ground Jazz Duo @ 929 Bar & Grill at Ravenwood Golf Club (Victor), 6:00 pm
- 2nd: Trialogue with Special Guest(s) @ Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 3rd: Connie Fredericks-Malone @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 pm
- 3rd: Joel Kastner & Ariel Zylberberg @ Flight Wine Bar (Rochester, Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 3rd: Laura Dubin & Antonio Guerrero @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 3rd: ESP Jazz Quartet @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 8:00 pm
- 4th: Bop Arts presents Dimensionality @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 6th: Trio East @ Lila’s (Rochester, Downtown), 5:00 pm
- 7th: Lakeview Hot Record CLub (Giancarlo Cervone spins classic jazz and blues 78s) @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 6:30 pm
- 7th: Margaret Explosion @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
- 7th: Samara Joy with Septet @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets)
- 8th: Ryan Johnson Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 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: 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)
- 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)
- 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: 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: Mike KoRnRicH Jumpin Jazz Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 5:00 pm
- 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: Vince Ercolamento Latin Jazz Experience @ 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)
- 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
- 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: 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)
- 24th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 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
- 26th: Eastman Chamber Jazz Ensemble featuring John Ellis @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall, 7:30 pm
- 27th: Eastman Jazz Voice Ensemble @ ESM, Hatch Recital Hall (Rochester, East End), 7:30 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: 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
- 31st: Indigo Breeze @ The Little Theatre Cafe (Rochester, East End), 7:00 pm
Looking for Live Jazz in November …?
- 2nd: Bop Arts presents Yoke: Songs of the Japanese Supernatural, Fumi Tomita Quartet @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 4th: Lakeview Hot Record CLub (Giancarlo Cervone spins classic jazz and blues 78s) @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge (Downtown), 6:30 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
- 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
- 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
- 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: Vince Ercolamento Latin Jazz Experience @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway (Rochester, East End), 9:00 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
- 15th: Bop Arts presents Hayes Greenfield @ Bop Shop Records (Brighton), 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 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
- 21st: NPV @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00 pm
- 21st: Michael Sidoti @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar (Farmington), 6:00 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
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)
