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Jazz News

June 9, 2023

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Schedule

Venues

Event Info

Tickets

News

Your Guide to The Fest!

The 20th Anniversary Edition Starts in 2 Weeks!

June 23 - July 1

300 Shows | 19 Venues | 1750 Artists | 100 Free Shows!

We have an outstanding lineup of amazing artists from around the world who are looking forward to performing for RIJF's appreciative and enthusiastic audiences. To maximize your festival experience, please review this annual Guide to the Fest. We will see you on Jazz Street!

See Event Info for Complete Details

Club Pass Series

192 shows at 11 Club Pass Venues with some of the finest artists from around the world! Enjoy unlimited access with a 3 or 9-day Club Pass!

Or pay cash at the door, $30 ($35 Kilbourn Hall).

Passes can be shared and transferred.

Only one person can use a Pass at a time.

Remember, "It's not just who you know; it's who you don't know!"

Buy Passes &  More Info

RIJF's unique Club Pass gives you unlimited access for 3 or 9 days to Club Pass Series shows. Not valid for Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre shows. Shareable and transferable! 

9-Day Club Pass - $294 +$6 service charge 

3-Day Club Pass - $254 +$6 service charge 


NEW! 3-Day Student Pass $174 + $6 service charge – 31% off the regular 3-Day Pass price. Students 25 and under may purchase in person at the Ticket Shop starting June 19 with a valid Student ID.

Trombone Shorty is Back!

5 Nights of Free Headliner Shows

No Tickets Required!

June 24 at our outdoor City of Rochester East Ave Stage at Chestnut and June 28, 29, 30, and July 1 on our outdoor Wegmans Stage @ Parcel 5. Shows at 7 & 9 p.m. See schedule. Bring a lawn chair. All shows rain or shine. Food and drinks are available for sale. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Bags will be searched upon entry.

New: Individuals 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. ID required. Before you go, see complete details on what you may and may not bring to the Festival.

Ticket Shop & Brochures

RIJF 2023 BroPo Cover

Our Ticket Shop opens Monday June 12 at 100 East Ave at the corner of Gibbs St., in Rochester NY.


Pick up a handy pocket sized brochure with a map of all venues and the full schedule, get info, buy headliner tickets and Club Passes. (Club Pass redemption starts June 19, no sooner!)


Hours

June 12-16: Noon – 5 p.m.

June 17 & 18: Closed

June 19-22: Noon – 5 p.m.

June 23-July 1 – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

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Your Opinion Counts!

Our 2023 Survey opens June 23 at 3 p.m. Please share your feedback during the festival.

Daily drawings for prizes!

2023 Posters

On sale in the Merch Tent on Jazz Street! $20 each. Get yours signed by artist David Cowles on Tuesday June 27 from 6-8 p.m.

Download the App!


Our new App powered by Harris Beach PLLC has more features than ever, making it the best way to plan your festival experience! We will not be printing a program guide this year so download the App today!

Download App

Parking

RIJF is held in downtown Rochester, NY in the East End Cultural/Entertainment District. All venues are within walking distance. Park once and walk to everything.

The Festival does not operate any parking. Park in surface lots and ramp parking garages located near festival venues. Many side streets will be closed. 


Please read the signs. Many lots are private, and cars will be towed. The Festival cannot take any responsibility for people who park illegally.

See Event Info


What to Bring What Not to Bring


Before you go! Please review the list of what you may and may not bring to the festival as some of this info has been updated.

Event Info

Headliner Tickets On Sale

Fri, Jun 23 - 8:00 PM

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

$43/$63/73/$83 + service charges

 TICKETS  

Sat. June 24 - 8 PM

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

$43/$63/$73/$83 + 

service charges

 TICKETS

Sun. June 25 - 4 PM

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

$33/$43/$53/$63 + 

service charges

 TICKETS

13WHAM Jazz Fest Special is June 21!

13WHAM presents its annual special “Jam Session: inside the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival” Wednesday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. Dan Schrack and Abby Fridmann will preview this year’s headliners, profile some talented high schoolers who play the festival and a look inside the beautiful East End church that will host concerts. They’ll also look back at Year One – with found footage of the festival’s beginnings. You can see all of 13WHAM's jazz fest stories at the Jazz Lounge.

Jazz Workshops

Free!

June 26 - 30th

1-2:30 PM Ray Wright Room, Eastman School

Sponsored by Wegmans

For music students of all ages. An exceptional opportunity to play and meet, listen to and learn from professional jazz musicians performing at the festival.

Download Flier

Jam Sessions

Free! No Cover charge.

June 23 - July 1

Hyatt Regency Astor on Main. Sponsored by the DiMarco Group. Led by Mike Cottone & Bob Sneider. Food and drinks available. Free parking 10:30 p.m, to 2 a.m. in South Ave Garage courtesy City of Rochester.

Music Never Sleeps!

Schedule

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues are handicapped accessible. Accessible portable bathrooms for those attending outdoor shows are located:

  • Outside the Rochester Regional Health Big Tent on East Main for people attending shows in the tent
  • Near Kilbourn Hall on Swan St.
  • Near Friday, June 23, free shows at East Ave and Chestnut
  • Near Wegmans Stage on Parcel 5, nights of shows only

Individuals needing assistance may call the Festival office in advance at (585) 454-2060 or see a volunteer at venue entrances.


AIRPORT

It is 15 minutes from the airport to the Festival.


ANIMALS

Dogs/animals other than guide and service dogs are not permitted. 


ATMs

Courtesy of presenting sponsor, M&T Bank, ATMs are located in several locations around the Festival.


BIKE RACKS 

You may park your bike in racks located in the parking lot of the Rochester Regional Health Big Tent at Main and Chestnut St. 


BIKE & SCOOTER SHARE

HOPR bikes and scooters are available at various locations downtown. Download the HOPR Transit App.


BUS ROUTES - REGIONAL TRANSIT SERVICE

Rochester’s East End can be directly accessed from several transit routes. See MAP. 


FIRST AID TENT

Provided and staffed by Rochester Regional Health and located on Jazz Street.


FOOD

Food and beverages are available for sale near all outdoor stages and at many Club Pass venues. There are also many restaurants in the festival area. New! Credit cards will now be accepted at Festival drink kiosks.

See Event Info


HEALTH GUIDELINES

Any health guidelines in effect recommended by the Monroe County Department of Public Health and NYS will be communicated via signage at the festival, on our website, on our app, and in our newsletters. Masks are not required. Their use is at the discretion of patrons. If you have a compromised immune system, please wear a mask. If you are ill and have any symptoms, stay home to get well.


MERCHANDISE

Buy official posters, apparel, and great festival gear during the Festival in the Merchandise Tent located on Jazz Street (Gibbs St.). Open 4-11 p.m. June 23 - July 1. Many artists sell CDs and official merchandise after their concerts at the venues. 


PHOTOGRAPHY

The use of cameras (still, video, cell phones) and recording devices is strictly prohibited at all indoor concerts at RIJF and permitted only by credentialed photographers in designated areas. Cameras with removable lenses are not permitted at outdoor shows.


RESTROOMS

Located inside every venue. Portable bathrooms are located outside the Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, on Swan Street, alongside the Wegmans Pavilion, and near outdoor stages on show dates. 


SECURITY 

  • For the safety and security of all, all bags, purses, backpacks, lawn chairs, etc will be searched upon entry.
  • Individuals 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or an adult 25 years or older. An adult will only be allowed to accompany up to two unrelated youth. Valid photo ID is required. Adults must accompany minors at all times. 


STREET CLOSINGS

  • Gibbs St. (from East Ave. to East Main St.) - Tuesday, June 13 (7 a.m.) to Tuesday, July 4 (midnight)
  • Gibbs St. (Grove St. to Main St.) - June 23 to July 1: Each night, 4 p.m. to Midnight
  • East Avenue (from Scio Street to Chestnut St.) June 23-July 1: Each night 4 p.m.-midnight
  • Chestnut St. (from East Main St. to East Avenue) June 28: 6 a.m. to midnight
  • Chestnut St.(from Main Street to Broad Street) Wednesday, June 28 to Saturday, July 1: Each night, 4 p.m. to midnight
  • Main Street (from Chestnut Street to Scio Street, not to include Chestnut/Scio) June 23-July 1: Each night, 4 p.m. to midnight

For Parcel 5 show days - June 28 - July 1

  • Elm St.(from Clinton to Chestnut St. June 28-July 1: Each day, 1 a.m. to midnight
  • Cortland St. (from Elm St. to E. Main St.) June 28-July 1: Each day, 2 p.m. to midnight
  • Andrew Langston Way (from Elm St. to E. Main St. June 28-July 1: Each day, 2 p.m. to midnight
  • Euclid St.(Chestnut St.to Andrew Langston Way) June 28-July 1: Each day, 2 p.m. to midnight
  • Atlas St. (Euclid St.to Elm St. June 28-July 1: Each day, 2 p.m. to midnight


TRASH & RECYCLING

Please clean up responsibly before leaving Festival-grounds. Look for recycling and trash bins and use the proper bins for waste. No littering.


VISITOR INFORMATION

Stop by the Visit Rochester Booth on Jazz Street for information on things to do during the day while you are in Rochester. And see 

Visit Rochester | I Love NY

Thank You Sponsors & Partners

The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival (RIJF) is one of the world's leading jazz festivals. Founded in 2002, the multi-dimensional nine-day Festival is held annually in downtown Rochester, NY, and presents more than 1750 artists from around the world in more than 300 shows at 19 venues. 2023 marks the Festival's 20th-anniversary edition. From legendary performers and familiar favorites to rising stars and discoveries, the Festival navigates all genres of creative improvised music from all corners of the world. RIJF is produced by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company owned by Marc Iacona and John Nugent.