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JAZZ NEWS

Day 8

Friday

June 26, 2026


23rd Edition

June 19-27, 2026

rochesterjazz.com

LAST TWO DAYS!

Gladys Knight Headlines

Eastman Theatre at 8 PM

Known worldwide as the “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight has captivated audiences for more than six decades with her powerful voice, timeless songs, and extraordinary stage presence. A seven-time Grammy Award winner, Knight has earned #1 hits across Pop, R&B, Gospel, and Adult Contemporary music, including classics such as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Neither One of Us,” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” Beyond her chart-topping success, she has excelled in film, television, and live performance, earning honors that include the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ana Popovic Headlines

Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5

9 PM - FREE!

7:00 PM

DON MANCUSO & D DRIVE

Award-winning guitar powerhouse Ana Popovic blends fiery electric funk, slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals, and deep blues grooves with soulful vocals and a commanding stage presence. A seven-time Blues Music Award nominee, she has been praised by Bruce Springsteen as “one helluva a guitar player.” From 2014–2018, Popovic was the only female guitarist selected for the all-star Experience Hendrix Tour, joining legends including Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd in celebrating the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix.

No tickets required; food and drinks available for purchase. Bring a low-profile chair. All bags will be searched. Arrive early and don't miss the opening show with Rochester'native Don Mancuso & D Drive.

Watch! 13WHAM anchors talk with Ana Popovic about her career and her music.

🎷Scenes from Yesterday 🌇

Day 7 Highlights | June 25, 2026 🎷 Video produced for RIJF by Industry Video Productions

Galactic on the Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5 last night. Photo for RIJF by Thom Bell. See more photos in our Gallery.

Today's Producers' Picks

Today's Full Schedule

Note Schedule Change: Toubab Krewe

7:30 & 9:45 PM, The Duke, Club Pass Show – Due to unforeseen circumstances, Toubab Krewe is unable to perform as scheduled. We appreciate your understanding and are pleased to welcome back The Buddhahood in their place for both shows.


12:00 PM

MARGARET EXPLOSION

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, Free

1:00 PM

BILLY GOODNESS Jazz Workshop

Eastman School of Music Ray Wright Room 120 - Jazz Workshops, Jazz Workshops

3:45 PM
Fairport High School Jazz Band
Jazz Street Stage, Free


4:30 PM
Bloomfield High School Jazz Band

Jazz Street Stage, Free

5:15 PM
Eastridge High School Jazz Band

Jazz Street Stage, Free

5:30 PM

SASHA DOBSON

Inn on Broadway, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

5:45 PM

ISAIAH J. THOMPSON

Hatch Recital Hall, Eastman School of Music, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

6:00 PM

KYLE ROUSSEL QUARTET

Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School of Music, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

6:00 PM

MIKE KAUPA's ECMS Ensemble & Junior Jazz

Jazz Street Stage, Free

6:00 PM

BRITTANY DAVIS

Montage Music Hall, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

6:00 PM

PRIME TIME BRASS

Wegmans Pavilion, Free

6:15 PM

ORRIN EVANS TRIO

Max of Eastman Place, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

6:30 PM

BAD SNEAKERS

Theater at Innovation Square, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

6:45 PM

BIG LAZY

The Little Theatre - Roots & Americana Series, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

7:00 PM

DOREEN KETCHENS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ QUARTET

Temple Theater, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

7:00 PM

DON MANCUSO & D DRIVE

Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, Free

7:30 PM

The Buddhahood

The Duke, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

7:30 PM

Robin McKelle & The Flytones Stax Soul Sessions

Jazz Street Stage, Free

7:45 PM

ISAIAH J. THOMPSON

Hatch Recital Hall, Eastman School of Music, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

7:45 PM

SASHA DOBSON

Inn on Broadway, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

7:45 PM

MAMBO KINGS

Wegmans Pavilion, Free

8:00 PM

GLADYS KNIGHT

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Headliner Series - Ticketed

8:45 PM

BAD SNEAKERS

Theater at Innovation Square, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

9:00 PM

KYLE ROUSSEL QUARTET

Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School of Music, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

9:00 PM

ANA POPOVIĆ

Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5, Headliner Series - Free

9:00 PM

BIG LAZY

The Little Theatre - Roots & Americana Series, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

9:15 PM

DOREEN KETCHENS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ QUARTET

Temple Theater, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

9:30 PM

FREDDY COLON AND 5 CON SWING

Wegmans Pavilion, Free

9:30 PM

ROBIN MCKELLE & THE FLYTONES STAX SOUL SESSIONS

Jazz Street Stage, Free

9:45 PM

The BuddhaHood

The Duke, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

10:00 PM

ORRIN EVANS TRIO

Max of Eastman Place, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

10:00 PM

BRITTANY DAVIS

Montage Music Hall, Club Pass Series, $30 or Club Pass

10:30 PM

JAM SESSION LED BY MIKE COTTONE

Hyatt Regency Rochester - Squeezers Jam Sessions, Jam Sessions


10:30 PM

JAM SESSION LED BY RYAN JOHNSON

Vanni's Jazz Lounge at The Inn on Broadway, Free, No Cover

LAST TWO NIGHTS FOR JAMS

Buy Tickets & Passes

Headliner Tickets

Buy tickets now the "Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight on June 26, and the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra on June 27.


All Shows are at 8 PM at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

Club Passes

Enjoy unlimited access to 18-20 Club Pass shows daily, discover legends and rising stars, and experience the festival your way.  Save on individual show prices. Share or transfer your pass if not using it!

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Thank You Sponsors

Thank You Partners In Kind

About the Rochester International Jazz Festival

The Rochester Regional Health Rochester International Jazz Festival, presented by M&T Bank, is one of the largest jazz festivals in the United States and the largest in New York State, transforming downtown Rochester, NY, each June into a walkable celebration of world-class live music. Over nine days, more than 1,750 artists perform in more than 300 concerts across 19 venues – from iconic concert halls and intimate clubs to vibrant free outdoor stages. With legendary performers, rising stars, and global talent, the festival delivers an unmatched mix of jazz and creative music in a lively festival setting. The unique European-style format allows audiences to experience multiple shows each night, creating one of the most immersive and musically diverse jazz festival experiences in North America.

The festival is produced by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company.  The festival team is led by Marc Iacona, Executive Director and Producer; John Nugent, Artistic Director; Karl Stabnau, Operations Director; Jean Dalmath and Amanda Antinore, Public Relations/Marketing Directors; and Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Logistics Director. Since its founding in 2002, annual attendance has grown from 15,000 to over 210,000, generating $220M+ in regional economic impact and establishing the Festival as a premier international summer music event.