Some things will never change, but what's new at XRIJF in 2013?
June 01, 2013
We know that some things aren't changing... It'll still be "not who you know, but who you don't know..." I will still be there all nine days, seeing a growing number of those who are also taking the week off for the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. There will again be more artists from around the world and locally (more than 1200 this year), who will perform in 280 concerts (which includes more than 75 free shows). We will probably see an increase in the amount of people from around the globe and across the country milling around downtown Rochester for nine days, up from last year's 187,000. Yes, it will not all be "jazz", but even I listen to other music (across many genres) and there will be something at this year's festival for everyone. It will be nine days of excellent artists and eclectic music. For me ... both exhausting and exhilirating.
So what's new at the 2013 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival? Well, let's start with:
- Jazz Workshops for Aspiring Music Students: This new series of five structured jazz workshops will be hosted by Bob Sneider, Eastman School of Music Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media and Senior Instructor of Jazz Guitar, and led by five visiting international musicians performing at XRIJF. The new series is sponsored by Wegmans (a new sponsor). More details in my post on XRIJF learning opportunities.
- Free Shuttle Service Added: Throughout the festival a new free shuttle service will be available connecting festival fans with City parking garages and making it easier to get to some venues. The route will include multiple stops. The free service is being sponsored by AAA Horizon Club Tours and Simcona Electronics. The route and schedule will be announced in June.
- Free Concert Added on First Friday on East Ave & Chestnut Stage Featuring Dr. John: Dr. John, the universally celebrated living embodiment of New Orleans and its music will perform on June 21 at 9 p.m. with Joshua Panda & The Hot Damned, a rising star in the music world from Vermont will open at 7. This new free concert is sponsored by Wegmans.
- New Venue: Getting their feet wet last year, the Little Theatre (Theatre 1) has been being added as a new Club Pass Venue with 18 concerts during the festival.
- New Venue Name: The stage at the corner of Chestnut Street and East Ave will be the same, but the name has changed to the RGE-LiDestri Spirit Stage, featuring free concerts June 23 - 27.
- The Library Series is Back: There will be jazz at noon Monday June 24th through Friday June 28 with local artists Mike Kaupa, Nick Finzer, Ted Nicolosi and Shared Genes, Herb Smith, and Karl Stabnau.
- Android Festival App: In addition to the iPhone app introduced last year, this year the Festival will launch an app for Android users. The iPhone app is improved as well (I'm going to like the feature that allows you to email your favorites). Again, there is a more detail in my earlier post on these XRIJF smartphone apps.
What's new on Jazz@Rochester during this year's XRIJF? I really don't know and do not want to be forced into another "mea culpa" admitting defeat in my grand plans for this blog. As in the past, Twitter will be one place you'll find me during the festival. I hope to be writing more during the festival as well, but not at the expense of hearing great music or having fun (or annoying my seat/table mates...). Other than that, let's just see how it develops... See you on Jazz Street!
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