News Release
June 27, 2019

Media Contacts
Dalmath Associates  | 585-586-6650 (office)
Amanda Antinore  | 585-729-7533 (m)
Jean Dalmath  | 585-755-6911 (m)

#CGIRocJazzFest
Jeff Goldblum went up to the balcony at Eastman Theatre last night to dance once again with Ethel Chadwick of Scottsville. Ethel danced with Goldblum in the film, The Mountain. Photo for RIJF by Thom Bell.
Day 7 - Thursday June 27
Rochester, NY –– June 27, 2019 ––The nine day CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival continues today with 36 shows and events starting at 12 noon with a free show featuring Mike Melito at the Central Library downtown.

Today's free Jazz Workshops sponsored by Wegmans for music students of all ages at 1 p.m., features percussionist Jamie Haddad.

And George Benson headlines tonight at 8 p.m. at Eastman (SOLD OUT).

The 18th Edition Festival runs through Saturday, June 29 and presents more 1500 legendary performers, familiar favorites and rising stars in 320 shows. It's the place to be in June!
Make the Most of Your Festival Experience!

  • Before you go -  see street closings and parking info
  • Tickets & Info - Ticket Shop, 100 East Ave & Gibbs. 10 AM - 10 PM
  • Food and beverages available at many venues, on Main St. & East Ave
  • Download the Free Festival App!
  • Brochures and Program Guides available at venues & the Ticket Shop
  • Free Harris Beach Shuttle circulates around the fest from 3PM to midnight. Look for the signs. Shuttle Maps available at the Ticket Shop. See map
  • McCarthy Merchandise Tent, Gibbs St., 4-11 p.m. gear, apparel, custom t-shirts, printed on the spot, posters, more!
  • Rochester Regional Health First Aid Tent, Gibbs at Main
  • M&T Bank ATMs available in multiple locations around the fest
  • Share your feedback! Take our quick audience survey during the fest
  • Donate musical instruments for City school students, McCarthy Merchandise Tent, 5-7:30 PM
  • CGI Photo Booth - Free, McCarthy Merchandise Tent, 5-10 p.m.
  • WiFi Hotspot & Charging Station - D&C booth in McCarthy Merch Tent
  • Nightly Jam Sessions - Start at 10:30 PM, Hyatt Regency, No cover, Park free in South Ave garage from 10:30 PM to 2 a.m. courtesy of City of Rochester
Artist Spotlight
George Benson Headlines Tonight at Eastman! SOLD OUT!
10 time Grammy winner, George Benson , is appreciated as both a musician and performer. Benson plays the dual role of expert improviser and vibrant entertainer Rounding out his singular approach with a strong sense of swing, he is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. 8 PM. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater. Will Call at Eastman opens at 7:15 p.m.
SOLD OUT

NOTE TO CREDENTIALED PHOTOGRAPHERS : First 2 songs still and video/sound
Elda Trio
London-based Swedish vocalist, Emilia Mårtensson, Slovenian accordion player and multi instrumentalist Janez Dovč and Sao Paulo-born Brazilian percussionist and composer, Adriano Adewale weave together their folkloric cultures exploring the storytelling and music from each. 6:45& 8:45 PM Christ Church $30 cash at the door or Club Pass
Paris_Monster

Beat-driven. Employing heavy elements of funk and soul, paris_monster closes the gaps between synth-pop & garage; between modern detail and old-school grit. Solid earth. Soaring soundscapes. A mass of noise. Volatility. Vocal singularity. 8:30 & 10 PM - Rochester Regional Health Big Tent $30 cash at the door or Club Pass
Veronica Swift
At age 24, Veronica Swift is now being recognized around the country as one of the top young jazz singers on the scene. Her first appearance at Jazz at Lincoln Center was at age 11. 6 & 10 PM Montage Music Hall $30 at the door or Club Pass

(photo left) Paul McCandless and the Charged Particles



12:00 PM
CENTRAL LIBRARY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY
Mike Melito




















LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REFORMATION - NORDIC & EURO JAZZ NOW SERIES
DH's Random/Control
















Thank You to our Sponsors & Partners
ABOUT THE CGI ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
The  CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival  is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals. From legendary performers and familiar favorites, to rising stars and new discoveries, the Festival navigates all genres of creative improvised music from all corners of the world. 

Founded in 2002 in Rochester, NY, the multi-dimensional nine-day Festival is held annually in downtown Rochester, NY and presents more than 1500 artists from around the world in 320+ shows at 20 venues. Attendance has grown from 15,000 in 2002 to 208,000 in 2018. Economic impact delivered to the region now exceeds $180 million. In addition to a headliner series and Club Pass Series of 220+ shows, the festival also presents 100+ free shows and events including nightly jam sessions and jazz workshops. The Festival's jazz scholarship program has awarded almost $500,000 in scholarships to 40 students entering Eastman School of Music.  Read more

CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival  is produced by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company owned by John Nugent and Marc Iacona. Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director, is a noted tenor sax player, who has traveled the world with many jazz artists including Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, The Woody Herman Orchestra and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Marc Iacona, Producer and Executive Director, is a Rochester native and President of Simcona Electronics. A business and community leader, he is an avid trumpeter and supporter of the arts.