Jazz Festival

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival in Rochester, New York, has quickly become one of the nation’s most popular and most respected music festivals.

Founded in 2002, attendance at the Festival has grown each year — from 15,000 the first year to more than 162,000 in nine days in 2010 — attracting music lovers from around the U.S. and the world.

The festival’s ninth edition was held June 11-19 and presented 250 concerts including headliners Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock, Bernie Williams, Keb’ Mo’, Gladys Knight and John Pizzarelli. A diverse array of club venues was packed for such favorites as Stanley Jordan, Grace Kelly, Joe Locke, Jeremy Pelt, Mose Allison, Jane Monheit, Russell Malone and more. This year’s Club Pass sold out earlier than ever, more than half of which were sold before the lineup was announced.

“This year’s success is a testament to the months of communicating, planning and then executing during these last nine days,” said Marc Iacona, Festival Producer & Executive Director. “We have a tremendous team and would not be as successful without our staff, volunteer network, sponsorship support and the thousands of dedicated attendees. We are pleased to be able to deliver an event that has become such a signature favorite and has enhanced Rochesters prominence as a music destination. It is also gratifying to produce an event that is a significant contributor, to the tune of almost 100 million dollars over nine years, to the regions economy.”

“Each year my personal goal is to deliver an artistic program of the highest level,” said John Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director. “I’m confident weve accomplished our goal this year as XRIJF 2010 featured all genres of creative improvised music for everyone to enjoy. In the immortal words of the great Chet Baker at the end of every performance: ‘Well folks, its been just great. I have to go to another gig’! We are already off to the races planning our the 10th Anniversary XRIJF “EXTRAVAGANZA” June 10-18, 2011 so save the date!”

The Festival draws attendees from all over the country and world.

The Rochester International Jazz Festival was founded in 2002 and is one of nation’s largest and fastest growing music festivals. Held in 18 venues all within walking distance of each other and the JazzWeek Summit’s headquarters hotel, the Festival offers a mix of free and ticketed events for people of all ages. It attracts fans from the U.S. and around the world who come to hear one of the most multi-dimensional, international and diverse artist lineups presented at a major music festival.

Festival information may be found at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival web site.