Rochester international Jazz Festival on a budget: All the free shows available downtown
A ton of free entertainment is available during the 2023 Rochester International Jazz Festival, which kicks off Friday, June 23, and runs through Saturday, July 1.
This year's event features 300 shows by 1,750 artists and includes 106 free shows that are sure to draw crowds. By comparison, there were 130 free shows during last year's festival that were funded through a federal grant created to keep arts organizations active during the pandemic.
With so many shows to consider, it can get overwhelming. Below is a schedule to help plan out a Jazz Fest experience on a budget.
See the Jazz Fest map at: https://www.rochesterjazz.com/downloads/MAP_RIJF_2023.pdf
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Friday, June 23
4:30 p.m.
Artist: CSE Music School Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Honeoye Falls-Lima High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra With Herb Smith
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: All in Brass Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: iGNiTE Reggae Band
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Eldorado Slim Featuring Scott Sharrard of Little Feat
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: iGNiTE Reggae Band
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Eldorado Slim Featuring Scott Sharrard of Little Feat
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Mike Cottone
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: 27 concerts not to miss over the 9 days
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Saturday, June 24
3:45 p.m.
Artist: Palmyra-Macedon High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Penfield High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Gates Chili High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: ECMS Jazz Combos directed by Bob Sneider
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: 78 RPM Big Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: Eldorado Slim Featuring Scott Sharrard of Little Feat
Venue: City of Rochester East Avenue & Chestnut Street Stage
7:30 p.m.
Artist: U.S.A.F. Band's Airmen of Note
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Venue: City of Rochester East Avenue & Chestnut Street Stage
9:30 p.m.
Artist: U.S.A.F. Band's Airmen of Note
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Mike Cottone
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
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Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Sunday, June 25
3:45 p.m.
Artist: Pittsford Mendon High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Hilton High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Fairport High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: ESM Jazz Honors Unit 1 - Kevin Murphy
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: New Horizons Jazz Ensemble directed by Don Sherman
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: USP
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Durham County Poets
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: USP
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Durham County Poets
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Bob Sneider
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Monday, June 26
Noon
Artist: Mel Henderson
Venue: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
1 p.m.
Artist: Jazz Workshop with Peter Johnstone
Venue: Eastman School of Music Ray Wright Room
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Victor High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Joey Stempien College Big Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: ESM Jazz Honors Unit 2 - Rob Varon
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: Brockport Big Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: Phylicia Rae
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Fred Costello
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
8 p.m.
Artist: ESM-RIJF Jazz Scholarship Concert Celebrating Chick Corea ESM Jazz Ensemble
Venue: Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
9 p.m.
Artist: Phylicia Rae
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Fred Costello
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Bob Sneider
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
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Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Tuesday, June 27
Noon
Artist: Amanda Ashley
Venue: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
1 p.m.
Artist: Jazz Workshop with Tommy Smith
Venue: Eastman School of Music Ray Wright Room
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Greece Athena High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: School of the Arts Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: New Horizons Big Band Directed by Priscilla Todd Brown
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: Gate Swingers Big Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: Atlas Band
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: ECMS Music Educators Jazz Ensemble
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: Atlas Band
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: ECMS Music Educators Jazz Ensemble
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Bob Sneider
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Wednesday, June 28
Noon
Artist: Quinn Lawrence
Venue: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
1 p.m.
Artist: Jazz Workshop with Cory Weeds
Venue: Eastman School of Music Ray Wright Room
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Greece Arcadia High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Pittsford Sutherland High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: ECMS Faculty with special guest vocalists
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: Penfield Big Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: Bill Tiberio Band
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: Mambo Kings
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Rochester Metro Jazz Orchestra
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: Mambo Kings
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Rochester Metro Jazz Orchestra
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Bob Sneider
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Thursday, June 29
Noon
Artist: Herb Smith
Venue: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
1 p.m.
Artist: Jazz Workshop with David Hazeltine
Venue: Eastman School of Music Ray Wright Room
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Brockport High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Irondequoit High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: ECMS Jazz Alumni
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: Melody Masters Big Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: Joe Beard Band
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: Violet Mary
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Soul Stew
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: Violet Mary
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Soul Stew
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Bob Sneider
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Friday, June 30
Noon
Artist: Zahyia Rolle
Venue: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
1 p.m.
Artist: Jazz Workshop with Bruce Barth
Venue: Eastman School of Music Ray Wright Room
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Bloomfield High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Eastridge High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: Mike Kaupa's ECMS Ensembles! Saturday Ensemble & Junior Jazz
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: Greece Jazz Band
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
7 p.m.
Artist: Damon Fowler
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: Latriste and the Frequencies
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Al Chez & Brothers of Funk
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
9 p.m.
Artist: Artimus Pyle Band Celebrating Lynyrd Skynyrd
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: Latriste and the Frequencies
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Al Chez & Brothers of Funk
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Mike Cottone
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Rochester Jazz Festival lineup: Free shows Saturday, July 1
3 p.m.
Artist: Brighton High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
3:45 p.m.
Artist: Spencerport High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
4:30 p.m.
Artist: Webster Schroeder High School Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
5:15 p.m.
Artist: Canandaigua Academy Jazz Band
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
6 p.m.
Artist: ESM Jazz Honors Unit 3 - Dan Mach-Holt
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
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Artist: Syndicate Jazz Octet
Venue: Rochester Regional Health Big Tent
6:30 p.m.
Artist: Richie Goods & Chien Chien "Connected"
Venue: Theater at Innovation Square
7 p.m.
Artist: Pedrito Martinez
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: The BuddhaHood
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
7:30 p.m.
Artist: Eddie 9V
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
8:30 p.m.
Artist: Richie Goods & Chien Chien "Connected"
Venue: Theater at Innovation Square
9 p.m.
Artist: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Venue: Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5
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Artist: The BuddhaHood
Venue: Wegmans Pavilion
9:30 p.m.
Artist: Eddie 9V
Venue: City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage presented by the Community Foundation
10:30 p.m.
Artist: Jam Session with Mike Cottone
Venue: Hyatt Regency Rochester Astor on Main - Squeezers Jam Sessions
Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.
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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Jazz Fest lineup 2023: Free shows schedule
