(CelebrityAccess MediaWire)
The third annual Rochester International Jazz Festival, to be held June 4-12 in Rochester, NY, is the most eclectic and international edition to date. More than 70 jazz and contemporary groups featuring more than 500 musicians will perform.
"I'm very proud of this progressive, well-rounded program," said John Nugent,
producer of the festival. "Our event has gained widespread respect from the jazz festival world; consequently other promoters worldwide are referring hundreds of artists."
Nugent is president of NY JAM, INC., producer of international concert tours
and jazz events including the long-running successful Stockholm Jazz Festival, now in its 21st year. "The festival is an outstanding opportunity for all music fans to hear celebrated favorites, rising stars, international performers and the best of Rochester talent including exceptional artists of the renowned Eastman School of Music," added Nugent.
Julie Lokin of New Audiences booked the concerts.
New this year, Gibbs Street will close to traffic and become Jazz Street, featuring live music and the outdoor Verizon Stage located at the corner of Gibbs Street and East Avenue. On June 4-6 and again June 11-12, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., there will be more than 30 hours of free music from international artists to regional high school groups. Performers include Paul Cebar & The Milwaukeeans, Latin Giants of Jazz (musicians from Tito Puente's Orchestra), Sam Kininger, duos, trios and many other styles.
The growing popularity of the Club Pass and Club locations prompted organizers to add a new Club Pass venue this year. The Club Pass Big Tent, a 10,000 sq. ft. carpeted nightclub with stage, will seat 350 and feature full bar and food service by Tapas Restaurant. It will be located at the corner of Gibbs Street and East Main Street. All Club Pass venues are within walking distance and pass holders can easily access a variety of music on any night.
The full artist lineup includes
Antonio Ciacca/Wessell Anderson Quartet, Assaf Rozov (Israel), Avanti Galoppi, Benny Green & Russell Malone, Bill Tiberio Quartet, Bob Sneider Trio, Bobby McFerrin & Jack De Johnette, Brad Mehldau, Brian Lynch Quartet, Campbell Brothers Sacred Steel Guitar, Cedar Walton Trio, Cloud Nine Music, Cuong Vu Group (Vietnam), Curtis Stigers, Dave Rivello Ensemble, David "Fathead" Newman & Paradigm Shift Trio, David Gibson Quartet, David Giudice Plays The Great American Songbook, David Sanborn, Dawn Thomson, Deanna Witkowski Trio, Djabe, Don Thompson Quartet (Canada), Earl Klugh Band, Eastman Jazz Performance Workshops, Eliane Elias Quartet, Eric Alexander Trio, Harold Danko & Special Guests, Harper, Hot Club of Cowtown, Ian Shaw Jam Session!, James Blood Ulmer, Jamie Baum Group, Jeff Johnston Trio (Canada), Jeremy Pelt Quartet, Joe Locke Quartet, Joe Romano & Friends, John O'Gallagher Quartet, Jon Ballantyne, Jonas Kulhammar Quartet, Latin Giants of Jazz, Ligeti/Bjorkenheim Duo, Marc Miralta's Flamenco Reunion (Spain), Marian McPartland, Matthias Lupri Quintet, Mel Henderson Plus One, Melvin Sparks Band, Michel Besceglia Trio, Mike Stern Band, Mose Allison, New Birth Brass Band, Orquesta Fama Sin Gafas, Oscar Peterson Quartet, Paul Cebar & The Milwaukeeans, Phil Flanigan &Bob Sneider Duo, Raul Midon, Rite of Strings (Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty & Al DiMeola), Sam Kininger Band, Seongsik Jeon Quartet (Korea), Shikandaza (Japan) featuring Ian Smith, Sim Redmond, Sliding Hammers, Sunny Jain Collective, The Holmes Brothers, Tim Ries-Music of The Rolling Stones, Trio Da Paz, Trip Hazard, Valery Ponomarev Quartet, Vijay Iyer & Rudresh Manthrappa, The Vitale Brothers, Wallace Roney Quartet, and Yolanda Adams. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
