Led by co-founders Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace, Toronto-based Four80East makes their highly anticipated return to the Exodus To Jazz series. With an infectious heavy-groove sound characterized by distinctive melodies, the group continues to be a very popular international phenomenon. In addition to garnering a Smooth Jazz Awards nomination – “Best International Group” – the group was honored by being invited to perform at the Smooth Jazz Awards ceremony in October 2010. The 480East sound lies within what is known as "nu jazz" movement—taking the best of contemporary jazz and pop styles and aligning them to produce a improvisational dance-infused sound. Toronto-based 480 East draws from a variety of sources, including found sounds, field recordings and sound effects.

Opening for 480East are locals Paradigm Shift with their signature groove jazz sound. This Grammy-nominated group of leader/guitarist Mel Henderson, keyboardist Gerry Youngman and drummer Sean Jefferson, maintains an active national and international touring schedule. Here are the particulars:

• Date: Sat., March 5, 2011
• Location: Lutheran Church of The Reformation, 111 N. Chestnut St., Roch., NY 14604
• Time: 8:00PM; Doors Open 7:00PM
• Tickets: $20 to $30; Students, $10 with ID (minimal processing fee is additional). Tickets are available at all Wegmans stores, online at BrownPaperTickets.com and at the door the night of the concert, beginning 7:00pm.

Here's a taste.....

Continuing my post titles' obsession with the weather and snow. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for this winter sh*t to be over! Not much to add tonight. Busy, busy, busy...but still time to get these live jazz listings out for the next seven days.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

• Live Jazz Jam with ESM Students @ Triple Deuces Bar & Grill, 6:00 pm
• A Giannavola @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Jazz Dawgs @ Bistro 135, 6:30 pm
• Funknut @ The Honors House, 4340 Lakeshore Dr, Canandaigua, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Jazz and Bluz Cruz @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Mark Cassara @ Pane Vino, 8:00 pm
• Dave Rivello Ensemble @ Village Rock (E. Rochester), 9:00 pm

Friday, February 25, 2011

• Live Jazz Jam with ESM Students @ Triple Deuces Bar & Grill, 5:00 pm
• Bobby Dibaudo @ Bistro 135, 5:30 pm
• Ryan T Carey & El Rojo Jazz Band @ Thali of India, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Geneseo Wind Ensemble/Jazz Ensemble @ Wadsworth Auditorium, SUNY Geneseo, 8:00 pm
• Soul Express @ Bistro 135, 8:00 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Adrian DeMeteo @ Grill at the Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Gap Mangione & the New Blues Band @ Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 8:30 pm

Saturday, February 26, 2011

• Simon Fletcher Trio @ Tala Vera Cantina, 6;00 pm
• Stephane Wrembel with Prime Time Funk @ Lovin' Cup, 6:00 pm
• Westview Project @ Bistro 135, 6:30 pm
• Gap Mangione @ Pier 45, 6:30 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 7:00 pm
• Ted Nicolosi and Shared Genes @ Sully's Pub, 7:30 pm
• Jazz Cafe @ Monty's Korner, 7:30 pm
• Cool Club @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Funk Nut @ Dub Land Underground, 9:00 pm
• East End Jazz Boys @ Havana Moes, 9:30 pm

Sunday, February 27, 2011

• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• The Swooners @ Lovin' Cup, 7:00 pm
• Troup Street Jazz Jam Session @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:30 pm

Monday, February 28, 2011

• Ted Nicolosi & Shared Genes @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Annie Wells @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

• Thomas Gravino @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Mark Viavattine @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• New Jazz Ensemble Plays Music of Bob Brookmeyer @ Kilbourn Hall, ESM, Tuesday, March 1st, 8:00 pm

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

• Soul Express @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 6:30 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• Paradigm Shift @ Pomodoro's Grill & Wine Bar, 8:00 pm

Heads Up ... Look for these Jazz Gigs and Events in the Future

• Bop Arts presents Rozanne Levine & Chakra Tuning @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Thursday, March 3rd, 8:00 pm
• Eastman Studio Orchestra, Bill Dobbins conducting, with guest artists Bill Holman & Bob Brookmeyer @ Eastman Theatre, Kodak Hall, Friday, March 4, 8:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Four80East @ Reformation Lutheran Church, March 5th, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Ravish Momin @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, March 8th, 8:00 pm
• Jazz90.1 Presents First-Ever Pancake Breakfast @ Greece Olympia High School Cafeteria, 1139 Maiden Lane, Greece, Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Robert Glasper @ Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, March 20th, 3:00 pm
• Victor Wooten Band and Stanley Clarke Trio @ Water Street Music Hall, Monday, March 21st, 7:00 pm
• Al Di Meola New World Sinfonia @ Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Saturday, March 26th
• Bop Arts presents Eugene Chadbourne & Tatsuy Nakatani @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Monday, March 28th, 8:00 pm
• Foundation of the Monroe County Bar 1st Jazz For Justice fundraiser @ Harro East, Friday, April 1, 6:00 to 10:00 pm.
• Cuong Vu Trio @ Kilbourn Hall, Friday, April 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents The ICP Orchestra @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, April 5th, 8:00 pm
• Antonio Ciacca @ Casa Italiana at Nazareth College, April 9th, 4:00 pm
• Mostly Other People Do the Killing @ Bug Jar, April 21st, 7:00 pm
• The Tom Rainey Trio with Mary Halvorson and Ingrid Laubrock @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, May 3rd, 8:00 pm

We've compiled these listings from information obtained from the performing artists themselves and other sources. The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester.The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester. Only start times are listed, visit or call the venue for more details (the sites for many are in the right panel). Please forgive me for any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know what the problem is, and I'll get the corrections up on the site as soon as possible (click on the "Send an email to Jazz@Rochester" link). If you go out to hear a performance listed here, feel free to drop a comment to this post about how it went. I want to hear from you!

As recently announced by the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, a new course “Introduction to Jazz History” will be offered by the Eastman School of Music for those attending the jazz festival concerts who want to “go deeper” into the roots of jazz. Offered in the afternoons the week of June 13-17th, the course will be taught by jazz pianist, Paul Hofmann, who is a graduate of Eastman and instructor in the Eastman Community Music School. The non-credit course is offered as an Eastman School of Music Summer Institute and is open to all interested adults and to students who are already matriculated at a college.

Each of the five days will highlight (in chronological/historical order) a particular style/era of jazz including some of the major personalities and works:

• Day One: Early New Orleans Jazz, including the Jazz Age (1920s); Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, etc.
• Day Two: The Swing Era (1930s), including Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Art Tatum, etc. 
• Day Three: Modern Jazz, part one (1940s and early 1950s), including Bebop (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell) and other schools which were offshoots form that (Lennie Tristano, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, etc.)
• Day Four: Modern Jazz, part two (mid 1950 through late 1960s), including Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Jackie McLean, Charles Mingus
• Day Five: Jazz since 1970, including Chamber Jazz (especially the West German record label ECM), Jazz-Rock (Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea, Pat Metheny Group) and the resurgence of Hard Bop (Wynton Marsalis)

While not a complete history of jazz and clearly sticking to history, not the present, this should be a good introduction to those of you who want to learn more. ESM says no prior knowledge of jazz needed, just a general love of and interest in the music. No materials required either.  You are encouraged to apply immediately as the course is limited by the capacity of Hatch Hall.

Here are the particulars:

• Introduction to Jazz History
• June 13-17 (Monday-Friday), 1-2:30 p.m 
• Room: Hatch Hall 
• Tuition: $180/noncredit
• CRN 19779
• Adults only

To register for this class, fill out and send in the form on the XRIJF website's press room.  Note: No housing available. Registration only available for the full five-day course. Application forms should be mailed to: Registrar’s Office Eastman School of Music, (XRIJF Intro to Jazz History), 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY 14604-2599.

The image in my last post is actually how I think about turning 50, but my body today is reminding me of the half century I've walked the planet. The image at right was from the great concert given by Grammy nominee Gerald Clayton and his Trio last Sunday for the Exodus to Jazz series. It was a special night of music.

Here are the listings for the next seven days of jazz in Rochester. Hope you can find some time to get out and support live jazz here in the ROC!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

• Live Jazz Jam with ESM Students @ Triple Deuces Bar & Grill, 6:00 pm
• A Giannavola @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Jazz Dawgs @ Bistro 135, 6:30 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Jazz and Bluz Cruz @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Eastman Chamber Jazz (Katie Ernst, vocals) @ Eastman School of Music-Kilbourn Hall, 8:00 pm

Friday, February 18, 2011

• Live Jazz Jam with ESM Students @ Triple Deuces Bar & Grill, 5:00 pm
• Johnny Matt Band with Jon Seiger @ Wegmans, Eastway, 5:30 pm
• The Margaret Explosion, Bitchin' Kitchen (with Katie Ernst) @ Abilene, 6:00 pm
• Bobby Dibaudo Trio @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Gap Mangione @ Pier 45, 6:30 pm
• The Westview Project with Doug Stone @ Pomodoro Grill & Wine Bar, 7:00 pm
• Ryan T Carey & El Rojo Jazz Band @ Thali of India, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Footnote with Bill Tiberio @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• The Moho Collective @ Beale Street Cafe, 8:00 pm
• Bill Tiberio @ Boulder Coffee Co, Brooks Landing, 8:00 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Miché Fambro @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm

Saturday, February 19, 2011

• Simon Fletcher Trio @ Tala Vera Cantina, 6:00 pm
• Jon Seiger & The Allstars @ Bistro 135, 6:30 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 7:00 pm
• The Westview Project with Doug Stone @ Pomodoro Grill & Wine Bar, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Ted Nicolosi and Shared Genes @ Jasmine's Asian Fusion and Jazz Lounge, 7:00 pm
• Jazz Cafe @ Monty's Korner, 7:30 pm
• Cool Club @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Gap Mangione & the New Blues Band @ Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 8:30 pm
• East End Jazz Boys @ Havana Moes, 9:30 pm

Sunday, February 20, 2011

• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• Troup Street Jazz Jam Session @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:30 pm
• Chris Doser Quartet @ Lovin' Cup, 7:00 pm

Monday, February 21, 2011

• Brad Batz @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Annie Wells @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

• Nancy Perry @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Thomas Gravino @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Jimmie Highsmith Experience @ Tala Vera Cantina, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

• Shades of Gray @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Tony Gianavola @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:00 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 6:30 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• Paradigm Shift @ Pomodoro's Grill & Wine Bar, 8:00 pm

Heads Up ... Look for these Jazz Gigs and Events in the Future

• New Jazz Ensemble Plays Music of Bob Brookmeyer @ Kilbourn Hall, ESM, Tuesday, March 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Rozanne Levine & Chakra Tuning @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Thursday, March 3rd, 8:00 pm
• Eastman Studio Orchestra, Bill Dobbins conducting, with guest artists Bill Holman & Bob Brookmeyer @ Eastman Theatre, Kodak Hall, Friday, March 4, 8:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Four80East @ Reformation Lutheran Church, March 5th, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Ravish Momin @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, March 8th, 8:00 pm
• Jazz90.1 Presents First-Ever Pancake Breakfast @ Greece Olympia High School Cafeteria, 1139 Maiden Lane, Greece, Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Robert Glasper @ Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, March 20th, 3:00 pm
• Victor Wooten Band and Stanley Clarke Trio @ Water Street Music Hall, Monday, March 21st, 7:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Somi @ Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 26th, 8:00 pm (cancelled, will be re-scheduled)
• Al Di Meola New World Sinfonia @ Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Saturday, March 26th
• Exodus to Jazz presents Marc Antoine Trio @ Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 26th, 8:00 pm (cancelled due to Antoine's heart attack)
• Bop Arts presents Eugene Chadbourne & Tatsuy Nakatani @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Monday, March 28th, 8:00 pm
• Foundation of the Monroe County Bar 1st Jazz For Justice fundraiser @ Harro East, Friday, April 1, 6:00 to 10:00 pm (more info later).
• Cuong Vu Trio @ Kilbourn Hall, Friday, April 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents The ICP Orchestra @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, April 5th, 8:00 pm
• Antonio Ciacca @ Casa Italiana at Nazareth College, April 9th, 4:00 pm
• Mostly Other People Do the Killing @ Bug Jar, April 21st, 7:00 pm
• The Tom Rainey Trio with Mary Halvorson and Ingrid Laubrock @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, May 3rd, 8:00 pm

We've compiled these listings from information obtained from the performing artists themselves and other sources. The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester.The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester. Only start times are listed, visit or call the venue for more details (the sites for many are in the right panel). Please forgive me for any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know what the problem is, and I'll get the corrections up on the site as soon as possible (click on the "Send an email to Jazz@Rochester" link). If you go out to hear a performance listed here, feel free to drop a comment to this post about how it went. I want to hear from you!

The day before the Grammy's are announced, Gerald Clayton, 2 nominations this year, is on the Exodus to Jazz stage with his Trio in Rochester.

The envelope from AARP arrived in the mail last week with the customary offer of membership and a temporary card upon one's hitting the big 5-0 next Wednesday. Yes, one-half a century. Geez!!

Well, moving on, there's a lot going over the coming 7 days, hope you can get out to hear some! I just don't feel up to hearing the strains of Happy Birthday to You ... unless perhaps done in the bossa nova style?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

• A Giannavola @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Live Jazz Jam with ESM Students @ Triple Deuces Bar & Grill, 151 St Paul St., Rochester, 6:00 pm
• Jazz Dawgs @ Bistro 135, 6:30 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Allisa Coco @ The Grill at Strathallan, 7:00 pm
• Jazz and Bluz Cruz @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Dave Rivello Ensemble @ The Village Rock (E. Rochester), 9:00 pm

Friday, February 11, 2011

• Live Jazz Jam with ESM Students @ Triple Deuces Bar & Grill, 151 St Paul St., Rochester, 5:00 pm
• Johnny Matt Band with Jon Seiger @ Wegmans-Eastway, 5:30 pm
• Bobby Dibaudo @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Gap Mangione @ Pier 45, 6:30 pm
• Ryan T Carey & El Rojo Jazz Band @ Thali of India, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Allana Cahoon Band @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• Soul Express @ Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 8:30 pm
• Todd East & Friends @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm

Saturday, February 12, 2011

• Madeline Forster @ Bistro 135, 6:30 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Ted Nicolosi & Shared Genes @ Jasmine's Asian Fusion, 7:30 pm
• Annual Gala, “Jazz at the J” with Featuring Bob Sneider Quartet with Special Guest John Nugent (Other acts include Katie Ernst, Latin Jazz with Tony Padilla, Paul Smoker and the Nazareth Faculty Jazz Group, and Loose Change (Nazareth College Jazz Combo) @ Jewish Community Center, 7:30pm.
• Jazz Cafe @ Monty's Korner, 7:30 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents the Gerald Clayton Trio @ Reformation Lutheran Church, 8:00 pm (profile by Ron Netsky in City)
• Jimmy Cobb’s “So What” Band @ University of Buffalo, Center for the Art, 8:00 pm
• Gap Mangione and the New Blues Band @ Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 8:30 pm
• Cool Club @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Miché Fambro @ The Grill at Strathallan, 8:30 pm
• East End Jazz Boys @ Havana Moes, 9:30 pm

Sunday, February 13, 2011

• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• Sunday Serendes with Ann Mitchell @ Brighton Memorial Library, 2:00 pm
• Jimmie Highsmith Jr., Valentines at Jacks Place @ Jack's Place, 6:00 pm
• Troup Street Jazz Jam Session @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:30 pm
• Jazz & Bluz Cruz @ Lovin' Cup, 7:00 pm

Monday, February 14, 2011

• Mark Cassara "Just for Dinner" @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Cinnamon Jones Valentines Special @ Tala Vera Cantina, 7:00 pm
• Monday Night Live "Sexy Sax" Valentine Gala with Kinetik Flo and Specials Guests Jimmie Highsmith Jr. & Will Holton @ Elite Bar & Grill, 398 West Main Street, 7:00 pm
• Annie Wells Quartet @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

• Rick Holland Quartet featuring Lindsey Holland @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Thomas Gravino @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Katie Ernst Senior Recital, featuring Ethan Helm, Gabe Condon & Chris Teal @ Kilbourn Hall, ESM, 7:00 pm
• Paradigm Shift @ Tala Vera Cantina, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 (...the day I mark 1/2 century...)

• The Swooners featuring Kurt Johnson @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Tony Gianavola @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:00 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 6:30 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• Paradigm Shift @ Pomodoro's Grill & Wine Bar, 8:00 pm

Heads Up ... Look for these Jazz Gigs and Events in the Future

• New Jazz Ensemble Plays Music of Bob Brookmeyer @ Kilbourn Hall, ESM, Tuesday, March 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Rozanne Levine & Chakra Tuning @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Thursday, March 3rd, 8:00 pm
• Eastman Studio Orchestra, Bill Dobbins conducting, with guest artists Bill Holman & Bob Brookmeyer @ Eastman Theatre, Kodak Hall, Friday, March 4, 8:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Four80East @ Reformation Lutheran Church, March 5th, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Ravish Momin @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, March 8th, 8:00 pm
• Jazz90.1 Presents First-Ever Pancake Breakfast @ Greece Olympia High School Cafeteria, 1139 Maiden Lane, Greece, Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Robert Glasper @ Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, March 20th, 3:00 pm
• Victor Wooten Band and Stanley Clarke Trio @ Water Street Music Hall, Monday, March 21st, 7:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Somi @ Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 26th, 8:00 pm
• Al Di Meola New World Sinfonia @ Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Saturday, March 26th
• Exodus to Jazz presents Marc Antoine Trio @ Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 26th, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Eugene Chadbourne & Tatsuy Nakatani @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Monday, March 28th, 8:00 pm
• Foundation of the Monroe County Bar 1st Jazz For Justice fundraiser @ Harro East, Friday, April 1, 6:00 to 10:00 pm (more info later).
• Cuong Vu Trio @ Kilbourn Hall, Friday, April 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents The ICP Orchestra @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, April 5th, 8:00 pm
• Mostly Other People Do the Killing @ Bug Jar, April 21st, 7:00 pm
• The Tom Rainey Trio with Mary Halvorson and Ingrid Laubrock @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, May 3rd, 8:00 pm

We've compiled these listings from information obtained from the performing artists themselves and other sources. The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester.The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester. Only start times are listed, visit or call the venue for more details (the sites for many are in the right panel). Please forgive me for any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know what the problem is, and I'll get the corrections up on the site as soon as possible (click on the "Send an email to Jazz@Rochester" link). If you go out to hear a performance listed here, feel free to drop a comment to this post about how it went. I want to hear from you!

Grammy nominee Gerald Clayton comes to Rochester to play a concert in the Exodus to Jazz series with his Trio of bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Justin Brown. The Trio will take the stage at 8:00 pm on February 12th at ETJ's new digs, the Reformation Lutheran Church on Chestnut in downtown Rochester, one of the great venues during the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.

Born in the Netherlands in 1984, Clayton grew up mostly in Los Angeles in a family of musicians including his father, bassist/composer John Clayton, and uncle, saxophonist Jeff Clayton. As professional jazz musician, he has performed with some of the most established names in Jazz such as Lewis Nash, Al Foster, Terrell Stafford and Clark Terry, including duo piano concerts with artists as diverse as Hank Jones, Benny Green, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller and Tamir Hendelman (who just happened to play the ETJ stage last month).  He has also played with a number of the next generation of jazz innovators such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Dayna Stephens, and Kendrick Scott. From 2006-2008, Clayton toured extensively with Roy Hargrove in his quintet, big band, and funk groups and is currently a member of the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Clayton has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for his composition Battle Circle from the "New Song and Dance" album that he recently did with the Clayton Brothers, which itself has been nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. 

The concert will start at 8:00 PM with two one-hour sets. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Ticket prices are Reserved table: $30; Reserved Theatre seats: $25; General Admission theatre seats: $20. Get more information and updates on the Exodus To Jazz website (while you're there, sign up for his posts from the site and to be added to his updates list.

We're in for a real treat as Clayton and the trio bring their sound that while steeped well in the tradition also give voice to his and his trio's more modern sides. To give you a taste, here's a video of the Trio playing Dizzy Gillespie's Con Alma last May:

And playing last month at Smalls in the Village in February 2009:

You can also head over to Clayton's site where some of his music may be streamed or download a track from Jose's post providing some details about the artist. Jazz@Rochester is one of the sponsors of the Exodus to Jazz series. Hope to see you out and hear these great sounds in this wonderful space.

A snow bullet, that is. While overall we've had more snow than usual here in ROC, we seem to be blessed when these monster storms threaten. Problem is, we've still got months to go...

In addition to the jazz in and around Rochester, please check out Jazz 90.1's Black History Month Celebration  featuring African-American artist each day. Art Tatum (shown on the right in Rochester circa 1946...notice the film signature? So fitting....) is featured on February 23rd. 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

• A Giannavola @ Lemoncello, 6:00 pm
• Jazz Dawgs @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Jazz and Bluz Cruz @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Chris Ziemba's Master's Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, ESM, 9:00 pm

Friday, February 4, 2011

• Johnny Matt Band with Jon Seiger @ Wegmans, Eastway, 5:30 pm
• Bobby Dibaudo Trio @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Tom Politzer and Mic Gillette from Tower of Power @ Hilton Central Schools' Evening of Jazz @ Merton Williams Middle School, 7:00 pm (contact Mr. Streiff at 585-392-1000 ext. 2293 or [email protected] for more information)
• Ryan T Carey & El Rojo Jazz Band @ Thali of India, 7:00 pm
• Jimmie Highsmith, Dave Spinner and Steve Curry @ Trinities, 36 West Main St Rochester, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Jake Shimabukuro @ Annual Penfield Jazz Fund Raiser Concerts, Penfield High School Auditorium, 7:30 pm
• Madeline Forster @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Gap Mangione & the New Blues Band @ Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 8:30 pm

Saturday, February 5, 2011

• Sofrito @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Ted Nicolosi & Shared Genes @ The Pultneyville Grill, 6:30 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 7:00 pm
• Joe Santora Trio with Emily Kirchoff @ Michael's Valley Grill, 7:00 pm
• Jazz Cafe @ Monty's Korner, 7:30 pm
• Spencerport High School Jazz Band Presents 13th Annual Evening of Jazz Featuring Special Guest Artist Mic Gillette of Tower of Power (and featuring the Jazz Bands of Cosgrove Middle School, SUNY Fredonia, Fairport High School, and Spencerport High School) @ Spencerport High School Friday Jazz, 7:00 pm (Call Mr. Viavattine at 585-349-5217 for more information)
• Jake Shimabukuro @ Annual Penfield Jazz Fund Raiser Concerts, Penfield High School Auditorium, 7:30 pm
• Whitney Marchelle & Uptown Jazz @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• Cool Club @ Little Theatre Cafe, 8:30 pm
• Gap Mangione & the New Blues Band @ Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, 8:30 pm
• East End Jazz Boys @ Havana Moes, 9:30 pm

Sunday, February 6, 2011

• Bill Slater @ The Lodge at Woodcliff, 11:30 am
• Katie Ernst in Bebop to Bach Kids Concert @ The Harley School, 1:00 pm
• Troup Street Jazz Jam Session @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:30 pm

Monday, February 7, 2011

• The Britton Duo @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Annie Wells @ Little Theatre Cafe, 7:30 pm
• Frank Barbato and Sounds of Sinatra @ Keenans Restaurant, 8:30 pm

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

• Ted Nicolosi & Shared Genes @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Inda Cut @ Tala Vera Cantina, 7:00 pm
• Eastman Jazz Ensemble @ Eastman School of Music-Kilbourn Hall, 8:00 pm

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

• Tony Gianavola @ Beale Street Cafe, 6:00 pm
• Brad Batz Trio @ Bistro 135, 6:00 pm
• Robert Chevrier @ Brio Wine Bar & Grill, 6:30 pm
• It's Jazz, by George! with Rod Blumenau Quartet @ Strong National Museum of Play, 7:00 pm
• Rick Holland Quartet @ Tala Vera Cantina, 8:00 pm
• Paradigm Shift @ Pomodoro's Grill & Wine Bar, 8:00 pm

Heads Up ... Look for these Jazz Gigs and Events in the Future

• Exodus to Jazz presents the Gerald Clayton Trio @ Reformation Lutheran Church,  February 12th, 8:00 pm
• Jimmy Cobb’s “So What” Band @ University of Buffalo, Center for the Art, February 12th, 8:00 pm
• Annual Gala, “Jazz at the J” with Featuring Bob Sneider Quartet with Special Guest John Nugent (Other acts include Katie Ernst, Latin Jazz with Tony Padilla, Paul Smoker and the Nazareth Faculty Jazz Group, and Loose Change (Nazareth College Jazz Combo) @ Jewish Community Center, February 12, 7:30pm.
• New Jazz Ensemble Plays Music of Bob Brookmeyer @ Kilbourn Hall, ESM, Tuesday, March 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Rozanne Levine & Chakra Tuning @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Thursday, March 3rd, 8:00 pm
• Eastman Studio Orchestra, Bill Dobbins conducting, with guest artists Bill Holman & Bob Brookmeyer @ Eastman Theatre, Kodak Hall, Friday, March 4, 8:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Four80East @ Reformation Lutheran Church, March 5th, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Ravish Momin @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, March 8th, 8:00 pm
• Jazz90.1 Presents First-Ever Pancake Breakfast @ Greece Olympia High School Cafeteria, 1139 Maiden Lane, Greece, Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Robert Glasper @ Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, March 20th, 3:00 pm
• Victor Wooten Band and Stanley Clarke Trio @ Water Street Music Hall, Monday, March 21st, 7:00 pm
• Exodus to Jazz presents Somi @ Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 26th, 8:00 pm
• Al Di Meola New World Sinfonia @ Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Saturday, March 26th
• Exodus to Jazz presents Marc Antoine Trio @ Reformation Lutheran Church, Saturday, March 26th, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents Eugene Chadbourne & Tatsuy Nakatani @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Monday, March 28th, 8:00 pm
• Foundation of the Monroe County Bar 1st Jazz For Justice fundraiser @ Harro East, Friday, April 1, 6:00 to 10:00 pm (more info later).
• Cuong Vu Trio @ Kilbourn Hall, Friday, April 1st, 8:00 pm
• Bop Arts presents The ICP Orchestra @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, April 5th, 8:00 pm
• Mostly Other People Do the Killing @ Bug Jar, April 21st, 7:00 pm
• The Tom Rainey Trio with Mary Halvorson and Ingrid Laubrock @ Bop Shop Atrium, Village Gate Square, Tuesday, May 3rd, 8:00 pm

We've compiled these listings from information obtained from the performing artists themselves and other sources. The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester.The aim is to give you a one stop place to find all your jazz in Rochester. Only start times are listed, visit or call the venue for more details (the sites for many are in the right panel). Please forgive me for any discrepancies with reality and feel free to let me know what the problem is, and I'll get the corrections up on the site as soon as possible (click on the "Send an email to Jazz@Rochester" link). If you go out to hear a performance listed here, feel free to drop a comment to this post about how it went. I want to hear from you!