For nine days each year over the past 24 years (with 2020 as an exception), downtown Rochester transforms into a mecca for music lovers from near and far during the Rochester International Jazz Festival. Among the 19 venues is Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, which hosted Chris Botti, Gladys Knight, and The Count Basie Orchestra this year.
In previous years, Kodak Hall was used almost exclusively for the only ticketed shows, however this year it was included in the Club Pass lineup. While it reduced the number of ticketed shows for 2026, traffic flow into the hall was naturally increased, a huge win for future events.
Kicking off the headliner series was Chris Botti, who is no stranger to the famed festival and pulls a great crowd. His June 25th show was no different as fans were still filing in for the Grammy Award winning trumpeter nearly 15 minutes after showtime.
Opening the set was Botti’s house band warming up the growing crowd. Highlighted by Caroline Campbell on the violin, fans are serenaded for a few moments as they get settled into their seats. Lee Pearson on the drums, Barry Stephenson on bass, and Julius “Orange Julius” Rodriguez on keys add to the subtle mood.
Botti calmly enters from stage left to a warm welcome from the Rochester crowd, many who are repeat visitors. A humble man, Botti bows in appreciation and immediately went into his music, wisping listeners to a hypnotic musical coma.
While this was a Chris Botti performance, he never takes all the limelight, allowing his band to strut their stuff. Leading Rodriguez into a piece, Botti calls the 28-year-old “the next big thing on the piano”. High praised all around for everyone else as well, as they all get their moment of spotlight.
Joining Botti and his all-star cast, was Mark Whitfield. The versatile and talented guitarist strutted around the stage showing off his blues-like playing, adding an upbeat level to the show. Center stage, stage left, stage right, with the Pearson on the drums, Whitfield was all over, having a blast.
An amazing storyteller, Botti breaks out into “Feels So Good” from Chuck Mangione, a segue for a story of when he met Mangione as young teen. He used and old school method of communication with pencil, paper, and cursive. Subsequently sent the letter off with a carrier, and much to his surprise he received tickets to a show and backstage passes to meet the legendary artist. Botti said that was one of the most special moments in his life. He proceeds to dedicate a rendition of “Hallelujah” to Mangione, performed my him and Whitfield.
While there are no booming bass tracks, pyrotechnics, or flashy moves, a Chris Botti show is something to marvel at. Pure class, from start to finish. There is no wonder why he has returned to Rochester so many times.
For the second headliner show, Kodak Hall was transformed into Motown, as Gladys Knight gracefully took the stage. Yes, THAT Gladys Knight. The Empress of Soul.
Playing stages since the mid 1950s, walking out on stage becomes second nature. On this night, Knight is escorted out at a leisurely pace by a backup singer, as she receives a standing ovation. A well-deserved ovation, even before she has spoken single word. For the first time in my short career of photographing shows, I had chills. Covering huge names from the 80s through today, nobody has given me this feeling. Gladys Knight, take a bow. I was in the presence of greatness, and in complete awe.
Gently walking around the front of the stage, Knight serenades the crowd with timeless classics such as “If I Was Your Woman” and “I Heard it Through The Grapevine” and “Oh What A Love I Have Found”. Unlike the Botti show the night before, this night has fans capturing these moments on their phones and singing along. Capturing moments and the lyrics that are poetic mastery.
Darkness falls like a feather to the ground
“Oh What A Love I Have Found”
Between each song, Knight, while choking up, speaks softly of her cast and fans and how thankful she is for all the years of support, as ‘I love you’s” fill the air. Visible harder as show goes on for her hold back the tears.
Gladys Knight. The Pips may be gone, and Motown may not be as big as it used to, but when you have a timeless voice with over 40 albums to your name, legends live on. For the fans in Rochester, this was night they will cherish forever.
Rounding out the headliner series was Count Basie Orchestra. The epitome of jazz, Count Basie built up the orchestra with the best of the best, and even through trials and tribulations such as the draft, the music never wavered.
Currently under the direction of Scotty Barnhart, Count Basie Orchestra stays true to its roots with a big band theme and concise notes. Hired by Basie himself, the longest current member is Clarence Banks, who came on board in 1984.
Thanks to the generosity of festival producers Mark Iacona and John Nugent, the upper balcony was filled with music students from local high schools. Musicians themselves, Iacona and Nugent graciously offered up tickets to the show to local high schools who played in this years festival. A little nudge to the youth to help drive swing and big band back into the norm.
While the crowd for this show did not compare to previous two shows, there was no shortage of musical genius to filter through the ears of those who came out. With early tributes to the late Quincy Jones, who had worked with the orchestra on arrangements, Barnhart masterfully leads the orchestra through each piece, with solo parts for many of the musicians.
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