The 2024 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival 21st edition lineup is available now, held from Friday, June 21 to Saturday, June 29, at 20 indoor and outdoor venues, all within walking distance in downtown Rochester’s east-end cultural district.
Founded in 2002, the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals, held annually in Rochester with over 210,000 attendees. Over nine days, there are 300 shows with more than 1750 artists, traveling from Australia, Benin (West Africa), Canada, Cuba, Denmark, England, Finland, Japan, and more. The festival is produced by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company owned by John Nugent and Marc Iacona.
We’re incredibly proud of this year’s diverse lineup and hope everyone will thoroughly enjoy all the spectacular performances. Once again, there has been no shortage of incredible artists from around the world who have submitted materials to perform for our amazing Rochester audiences! Choosing and confirming artists brings about a serendipity surrounding touring schedules and timing. We’re very pleased to have completed another artistic canvas for our audiences’ ears to enjoy. On behalf of our entire RIJF team, we thank everyone who attends the festival, our festival team and volunteers, and our amazing sponsors for their continuing support and loyalty. Three new sponsors are joining us this year: Rochester Institute of Technology, Wow Werks, and the Inn on Broadway. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our 21st Edition on Jazz Street in June!
John Nugent and Marc Iacona.
Music will fill the air with more than 1750 artists from 16 countries to play in 326 concerts, including 100-plus free shows. There are five free headliner shows, four nights on the Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, and one night on the City of Rochester Stage at East & Chestnut. On June 22, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brings his dramatic and searing guitar tones to the stage, with Chris Beard Band opening. Shelia E. and the E-Train comes to the stage on June 26 with Grupo Ife opening.
On June 27, Los Lonely Boys brings the Garza brothers to the stage, with Miller & The Other Sinners opening. June 28 brings Cimafunk to the stage with Latriste Fulton & Frequency opening. His name refers to his heritage as a “cimarrón,” Cubans of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery, as well as to the essence of his music, which aims to mix classical Cuban rhythms with funk, afrobeat, and hip hop. The last free event on June 29 is Rejuvenation 50! Celebrating The Meters, A New Orleans Mardi Gras Party – sure to bring quite the crowd!
Two new venues join the Club Pass Series this year: the historic Inn on Broadway, with two shows nightly at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and The Duke, a new entertainment space located in Sibley Square adjacent to the Mercantile on Main Street, with two shows nightly at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Food and drinks will be available at both venues.
A record 51 shows will be presented on the Jazz Street Stage, including 24 student jazz bands and jazz ensembles from Eastman. Jazz Starts at the Library, a series of five free noon concerts, returns to the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, featuring Trio 55, Hanna PK, Simon Fletcher, Jimmy Highsmith Jr., and Jazz Generation.
Other highlights include five free Jazz Workshops sponsored by Wegmans, led by visiting artists for music students of all ages. Held at Eastman School of Music from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Ray Wright Room 120, artists include Tommy Smith, Saxophone, Jae Sinett, Drums, Roberto Occipinti, Bass, Johnny Johnson, Sax, and Mike Kaupa, Trumpet.
Jam Sessions will be held nightly at 10:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main, sponsored by the Dimarco Group. Jams will be led by trumpeter Mike Cottone on Fridays and Saturdays and guitarist Bob Sneider on Sunday through Thursday. Food and drinks are available, with no cover.
Finally, five ticketed headliner shows will be presented at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater. All shows are at 8 p.m. On June 21, Taj Mahal brings his talents to the stage, with the Lee Ritenour Band on the 22. Rising star and recent GRAMMY award winner Laufey takes the stage on June 26, sold out. John Oates, co-founder of the iconic music creators Hall & Oates, takes the stage as a solo act on the 27, and multiple GRAMMY award winner Samara Joy wraps up the headliner shows on the 28.
The Festival’s signature Club Pass Series will feature 216 shows at 12 diverse venues with some of the finest jazz artists. Access with a 3 or 9-day Club Pass, the festival’s value pass, or $30 cash at the door. Tickets for headliner shows and Club Passes are available now. For more information on other events at the International Jazz Festival, tickets, and the full lineup – visit here.
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