Summer is finally here, and so then, so is the 2023 CGI Rochester International Jazz Fest. Downtown Rochester once again will be transformed from a small city music scene punching above it’s weight to a live music mecca worthy of inclusion in the lyrics of “Dancing in the Streets.”
With myriad choices each night for nine straight nights it’s enough to make you dizzy, so let NYS Music help guide your way. It’s the 20th edition of the Rochester International Jazz Fest so here are 20 must-see artists for 2023.
1. Nellie McKay
Friday June 23 at The Little Theatre, 7pm & 9:15pm
A singer/songwriter that brings the full package, a true one-of-a-kind talent. Prepare to be captivated and entertained to the nth degree.
Others to check out on Friday June 23: Okan, iGNiTE Reggae Band, Eldorado Slim, Tom Guarna Trio
2. Albino Mbie
Saturday, June 24 at Montage Music Hall, 6pm & 10pm
Berklee-trained Mozambican guitarist melds worlds while staying true to his roots.
3. Samara Joy
Saturday, June 24 at Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 9pm
Fast-rising buzz-worthy vocalist returns to the jazz fest for the second straight year. Kilbourn Hall will give more fest-goers a chance to get in to see her but this will still be a tough packed house to get into. Next year headlining Kodak Hall?
4. Bill Frisell Trio
Saturday, June 24 at Theater at Innovation Square, 6:30pm & 8:30pm
We’ll never not recommend seeing this guitar wizard and his incredible trio with Rudy Royston and Thomas Morgan, or in any format he brings. Coming back for his tenth visit, and for the first time appearing in consecutive years, this still earns a top pick. Don’t hesitate to go for both sets either!
5. Big Lazy
Saturday, June 24 at The Little Theatre, 7pm & 9:15pm
Sunday, June 25 at Wilder Room, 6pm & 10pm
A big hit at last year’s Rochester Jazz fest, their noir-ish soundtracks will put you in a time and a place while also delighting your ears aplenty.
6. St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Saturday, June 24 at City of Rochester East Avenue and Chestnut Street Stage, 9pm
And yet another festival returnee to fill our your Saturday, there’ll be dancing in the streets when this soulful Alabama eight-piece takes the stage playing selections from their new album, Angels in Science Fiction.
Others to check out on Saturday June 24: Eldorado Slim, Oddgeir Berg Trio, Joel Frahm Trio
7. Omara Portuendo
Sunday, June 25 at Kodak Hall, 4pm
Legendary Cuban singer and dancer, she has reached a wider international audience from her involvement with the extremely popular Buena Vista Social Club project. Should be a stirring early afternoon set in Kodak Hall.
8. Nduduzo Makhathini
Sunday, June 25 at Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 9pm
South African pianist comes in hot off the heels of his superb 2022 release, “In the Spirit of the Ntu,” one of the best jazz albums of last year.
9. Kenny Werner & Gregoire Maret
Sunday, June 25 at Temple Theater, 7pm & 9:15pm
A tribute to harmonica legend Toots Thielemans by harmonica legend Gregoire Maret with Thielemans longtime pianist Kenny Werner, sign us up!
10. Peter Johnstone & Tommy Smith
Sunday, June 25 at Hatch Recital Hall, 5:45pm & 7:45pm
Fellow Scots return to the fest for some out-of-this-world saxophone/piano duets in the beautiful, acoustically magnificent and intimate Hatch Hall.
Others to check out on Sunday June 25: Corner House, Big Lazy
11. Victoria Victoria with Charlie Hunter
Monday, June 26 at Montage Music Hall, 6p & 10pm
Hunter has been to the festival a number of times, always in something completely different and always in something fantastic. Grouped with Victoria Victoria, aka singer/songwriter Tori Elliott, we expect more of the same.
12. NYChillharmonic
Monday, June 26 at Theater at Innovation Square, 6:30p & 8:30pm
Another returning artist that wowed the 2022 jazz fest crowds, this large ensemble group from, you guessed it, NYC, is a tough-to-describe knockout.
13. Olli Hirvonen Group
Monday, June 26 at Christ Church, 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Finnish-born Brooklyn-based guitarist fuses jazz and rock and experimental sounds for a sound that oozes the “it’s not who you know it’s who you don’t know” festival ethos.
Others to check out on Monday, June 26: Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet, ESM Jazz Ensemble Celebrating Chick Corea
14. Glen David Andrews
Tuesday, June 27 at Montage Music Hall, 6pm & 10pm
Wednesday, June 28 at Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30p & 10pm
Someone has to get the New Orleans party started at this festival and let it be this trombonist and vocalist, all the way from… New Orleans, fancy that! Get to these sets if you want to work up a sweat.
Others to check out on Tuesday, June 27: Miss Tess, Tia Fuller Quintet, Doc Robinson, Christian Sands
15. Christian Sands Trio
Wednesday, June 28 at Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 9pm
An inventive Grammy-winning pianist and his trio put their own stamp on the traditional jazz trio format. You can also check him out solo the night before. Better yet do both!
16. Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, 9pm
You can see this legendary pianist and songwriter, who has continued to evolve, remaining fresh and relevant over multiple decades, for free. That’s just the way it is.
Others to check out on Wednesday June 28: Diego Figueiredo & Ken Peplowski, Tia Fuller Quintet, Twisted Pine, Ralph Alessi Group, Glen David Andrews
17. Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke
Thursday, June 29 at Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 9pm
Gretchen Parlato’s voice and Lionel Loueke’s guitar go together like peanut butter and chocolate and their new album, “Lean In,” is in the running for jazz album of the year in our opinion.
18. Joe Beard Band
Thursday, June 29 at Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, 7pm
You could see this blues legend nearly any week of the year, but you probably don’t. Here’s a chance to see him on the big stage with a full band. Support your local treasure.
19. Mark Guiliana Quartet
Thurday, June 29 at Christ Church, 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Supreme drummer, who has visited the festival as a member of various other groups, returns with his quartet to present music from their killer new album, “Mischief.” And maybe we’ll be lucky and also see him sit in with his wife, Gretchen Parlato.
Others to check out Thursday, June 29: Diego Figueiredo & Ken Peplowski
Others to check out Friday, June 30: Joey Alexander Trio
20. Jontavious Willis
Saturday, July 1 at The Little Theatre, 7pm & 9:15pm
This young blues man from Georgia straight up just has “it,” plain and simple. See for yourself.
Others to check out Saturday, July 1: Harold Danko, Eddie 9V
Make sure you add these to your personalized schedule using the new and improved 2023 Rochester International Jazz Fest app and we’ll see you out there on Jazz Street!