Rochester International Jazz Festival - Day 1 - June 19
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It’s finally here, the opening day of the Rochester International Jazz Festival’s 2026 edition! One fact obscured throughout much of the festival’s coverage is that the jazz festival in Rochester began 25 years ago. It’s not yet the 25th anniversary because the festival took a couple of years' break due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But it’s still an institution that has survived in our city for a quarter of a century, which is no small feat.
The jazz festival is now a major part of Rochester’s identity, and I’ve argued before that much of Rochester’s downtown revival is connected to the jazz festival’s growth. Starting today and for nine consecutive days, the downtown corridor gets an irresistible soundtrack.
I will be posting real-time updates throughout the festival on Rochester Overture, with on a special page that you can check back to throughout the night. Follow along at Jazz Festival Live: June 19 for opening night news and reviews.
You can also see all the nights of coverage in the Field Notes category on the site.
Please also follow along on social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, where I’ll be posting shorter updates, photos, and videos throughout the festival.
For profiles and recommendations, check out these articles on the site:
Jazz Festival Day 1: Daily Festival Guide - Read my recommendations for opening night, which includes a special concert celebrating the centennial year of John Coltrane.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Saxophonist Returns with a Roar and a Whisper - Read about Eastman School of Music alumna Alexa Tarantino, who is the first full-time female member of Jazz at Lincoln Center. An alto saxophonist and adept doubler on flute, she is featured with her own quartet tomorrow, Saturday, June 20, in Kilbourn Hall.
Jazz Jedi: Hiromi Brings Sonicwonder to Kodak Hall - Sonicwonder is the most appropriate name for Hiromi and her quartet, who have an updated take on jazz fusion and will perform on Tuesday night, June 23, in Kodak Hall. As I wrote in the article, when she plays, “you can expect a full sensory experience, from the splash of notes she throws down, to the bodily thrashing that overtakes her, to the bold clothes she wears, to her distinctive spiked-up hairdo.” She thinks of performances as something that engages all your senses. This show is my #1 pick of the festival.
Jazz Festival Live: June 19 - This is where you can follow for real-time updates tonight!
You can also expect extra newsletters in your inbox during the nine days of the Jazz Festival. But don’t fear: it’s only a temporary influx. I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Jazz Street this afternoon and comparing notes on shows!
I’m pleased to say that Rochester Overture has received fiscal sponsorship from Fractured Atlas. If you believe in our mission to fill the coverage gap in Rochester’s arts community, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the cause. I’m so appreciative of your support of this important initiative.
And, more so, please read and share!