NOTE: Exodus to Jazz has recently announced a change in venue for upcoming ETJ concerts from The Penthouse at One East Avenue to Anthology.  Watch the upcoming events and listings posts for upcoming shows.

Exodus to Jazz, the jazz series that brings musicians to Rochester who usually play the clubs in the Village and other venues in NYC, has returned to Rochester and released a lineup for its 2018 Season.  The teaser show for the series was last month with Johnny O’Neal on February 17th. For those familiar with ETJ, most of the lineup will be familiar favorites from prior seasons.  The Exodus to Jazz series has moved to a great new venue, The Penthouse at One East Avenue, which has become a increasingly popular venue for music. Plus, it is a penthouse and has great views and, after it gets warm (will it ever?), it will be even better. But back to the music... Here’s the lineup:

• The Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet (Saturday, March 31st). The Sextet was formed in January 2005 and returns to Rochester for their fourth Exodus To Jazz engagement. This band is fun.  The band played last year at the XRIJF and, as heard on the street, gained more fans there as well.  ​(Buy a ticket)
• The Helen Sung Trio (Saturday, April 21st). Helen Sung returns to the Exodus To Jazz stage after an absence of more than three years. She is a monster on the piano, showing her prowess developed in both the jazz and classical worlds.  Sung always brings a great band with her as well. (Buy a ticket)
• The Sylvia Cuenca Latin Quintet (Saturday, May 5th). The Sylvia Cuenca Latin Quintet will fuel a Cinco de Mayo celebration with a presentation of fiery Latin themes mixed with up-tempo straight-ahead jazz. A long time member of the late Clark Terry’s band, Sylvia is very dynamic drummer, brings great musicians with her. I look forward to hearing her again as the last time was at ETJ in 2006 when it was in the VENU Resto Lounge on St. Paul (she appeared again at ETJ with Joe Locke in October 2008, but unfortunately I think I was out of town). (Buy a ticket)
• Cabo Frio Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire and Anita Baker (Saturday, May 19th). Another Rochester music jewel, led by founder and original member Curtis Kendrick, Cabo Frio has promised, get out of your seats tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire and Anita Baker with arrangements by Kendrick. (Buy a ticket)
• Paradigm Shift with Special Guest JD Allen (Saturday, July 21st). Rochester-based Paradigm Shift fills clubs in Buffalo, Boston, Germany, Japan and other countries in addition to gigs in its hometown. Led by guitarist Melvin Henderson, the trio includes cofounder/organist Gerry Youngman and drummer Sean Jefferson. Paradigm Shift creates a contagious “funky jazz" rooted in the jazz, gospel and R&B traditions. The addition of top shelf saxophonist JD Allen will be a unique experience, even if you have heard the Shift before. (Buy a ticket)

The set up for the rest of the series will be quite a bit different from the first concert with Johnny O'Neal.  A ticket will get you in for two sets of music.  For all of the shows, the doors will open at 6:00 pm, with the concert starting at 7:00. There will be an intermission at 8:00 pm, with the second set starting at 8:30 and ending at 9:30 pm.  The arrangement of the seats will change too, with the stage along the windows so everyone will be closer to the action whether they are at tables or in general admission seats.

Here are the deets. The Penthouse is found at One East Avenue in the city (go figure from the name....). You can park nearby in a number of parking garages, surface lots and metered spots within walking distance (and parking on the street is free on weekends). Individual pre-purchased tickets are:

• General Admission $25
• High Top Tables (in back) $35
• Tables (closest to stage) $45

Five dollars will be added to tickets purchased at the door, if available.