jazz
The 23rd Rochester International Jazz Festival begins this week with performances through June 29th. Among the headliners is the Robert Cray Band, performing on June 20 at the East & Chestnut Stage, Gladys Knight, and Trombone Shorty. The festival, which draws tens of thousands of attendees annually, features performances across multiple venues in downtown Rochester’s […]
Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist Ron Carter will headline a special Juneteenth and Black Music Month celebration at the Hochstein School in Rochester this summer. The concert will serve as a fundraiser to support the development of the Minister Franklin D. Florence Civil Rights Heritage Park. Carter, who has performed on more than 2,200 recordings, is […]
The Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Experience is an annual celebration that showcases some of the finest acts in contemporary jazz, neo-soul, and R&B. It will be taking place August 22, 2026 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the historic MVCMA Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs, MA. You can enjoy the stylings of such talents as critically […]
South African jazz pianist and healer Nduduzo Makhathini performed a five-part spiritual jazz suite titled Ntu Sonicities Devotion Suite for NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Accompanied by bassist Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere and drummer Kabelo Mokhatla, Makhathini fused Zulu vocal reflections, ritualistic elements, and ancestral themes into a deeply meditative performance. Each movement in the suite […]
Charlie Burrell, known as the “Jackie Robinson of music,” has passed away at 104. As the first Black member of the Denver and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras, Burrell broke racial barriers in classical music. A jazz collaborator with legends like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Burrell was also a WWII veteran and educator who mentored […]
Bass legend Stanley Clarke lit up NPR’s Tiny Desk with a dynamic performance honoring Black Music Month. Backed by his new band 4EVER, Clarke showcased his signature mastery through classics like “Song to John” and “School Days.” The performance blended electric and acoustic brilliance, while spotlighting young, gifted collaborators like violinist Evan Garr and keyboardist […]
As Black Music Month unfolds, it’s vital to spotlight unsung pioneers who shaped the soundscape of American music. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who blended gospel and early rock, to avant-garde composer Julius Eastman, these artists transcended genres and social barriers. Max Roach turned jazz into civil rights protest with “We Insist!,” while Weldon Irvine’s compositions […]
British actor Damson Idris will portray jazz legend Miles Davis in the upcoming film Miles & Juliette, set in post-WWII Paris. The film centers on Davis’s transformative love affair with French actress and singer Juliette Gréco, played by Anamaria Vartolomei. Directed by Bill Pohlad and produced by Mick Jagger, the film explores the early years […]
Mr. “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” Roy Ayers, the vibraphonist, composer and jazz-funk pioneer behind ,” has died at the age of 84. Roy Ayers died Tuesday in New York City after a long illness, according to a statement shared on his Facebook page. Ayers was born in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 1940, to a […]
Downtown Rochester has been given a fresh dose of excitement with the arrival of a new eatery and lounge. Astor on Main held its grand opening yesterday, located within the Hyatt Regency. With a promise of weekly live performances throughout the year, Astor on Main is sure to captivate visitors. Their menu blends comfort food […]
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