Sunday at the RIJF is usually a bit more laid back. There isn't a headliner or major free show to bring the bigger crowds, so things slow down a bit. Sunday, June 22nd will be like that for me. When presented with that kind of night and a smaller number of choices, I tend to "go with the flow" be more fluid with my night.

So, you do you, but if you're interested, here are the artists/groups I am aiming to hear on the third night of the 2025 RIJF (I've included links so you can check their page on the RIJF site yourself, where you will find links to music, video, etc.):

• I'm starting out the evening with the Joe Locke Group. One of the top vibe players in jazz, Joe was raised in Rochester and comes back often to play before his hometown crowd. I have heard Joe play many times at RIJF and elsewhere and he always brings something different and unique, so while going to hear Joe is like "coming home" his music is usually fresh, and I know Joe will always bring a killer band to back him up. Joe Locke Group will be hitting the stage in Kilbourn Hall at 6:00 and 9:00 pm.

• There is a tradition in jazz of bands with two "dueling" tenor saxophonists. Riffing off that tradition, but taking the pitch down a few notches will be my second stop for the Boss Baritones, with two of the top players of the bari sax in jazz, Gary Smulyan and Frank Basile. I just listened to their new Boss Baritones album and loved the romp of these two great players. Boss Baritones will be blowing in at The Inn on Broadway at 5:30 and 7:45 pm.

• My next and final stop will be to hear Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuña. Following a debut in NYC in the 90s, Acuña released five albums as a leader before slowing down to focus on life and raising her son. She returned to the jazz world in 2019, delivering a Latin Grammy-nominated album Turning Pages. Acuña last appeared at the RIJF way back in 2003. Claudia Acuña will be appearing at the Temple Theater at 7:00 and 9:15 pm. She will also be appearing at Max at Eastman Place the next night, June 23rd at 6:15 and 10:00 pm.

While I've made my choices, there are often artists who I wish I could hear as well but can't due to timing or other reasons, or others who might be a good fit for you. For one reason or another you may want some alternatives, so while there are fewer on Sunday here they are:

• You might want to check out Bill Evans and the Vansband All-Stars. Saxophonist Bill Evans in his 20s came on the jazz scene in the 1980s with Miles Davis. Evans has been at the RIJF several times, including his Soulgrass project in 2012, appearing with Mike Stern and Steve Smith in 2014, and with his own Bill Evans Band featuring Tommy Smith in 2017. Bill Evans and the Vansband All-Stars will be appearing at the Theater at Innovation Square at 6:30 and 8:30 pm.

• Pianists Bruce Barth and Eri Yamamoto will be playing a dual piano gig at the Hatch Recital Hall at 5:45 and 7:45 pm.

• For something completely different, head on over to the tent for the Western swing, with a tinge of Django, sounds of Austin band the Hot Club of Cowtown. They will be in the Rochester Regional Big Tent at 8:30 pm. If you miss them then, you can catch them when they hit the stage at The Inn on Broadway the next night, June 23rd, at 5:30 and 7:45 pm

There is also a lot of great music by local jazz groups to be had on the 22nd. I'll be detailing all the shows being offered by local artists and groups in a separate post later.