Rochester jazz fest: Cimafunk and Rejuvenation are final free headliners
Performance at Parcel 5 at the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival (WHEC file photo)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Friday and Saturday are the final days of the 21st annual CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival, packed with live performances from all-star acts and two final free headliners. Friday is also people’s last chance to attend a free workshops with a professional jazz musician.
The nine-day festival features over 325 shows across 20 indoor and outdoor stages. You can search for shows and get tickets or club passes on the festival’s website here. Some of the venues include Kilbourn Hall, Montage Music Hall, the Little Theatre, and the Inn on Broadway. The festival typically draws over 200,000 people.
News10NBC has spoken with musicians and business owners about the impact of the festival. The Duke and The Inn on Broadway are both hosting intimate performances each night of the festival this year, expecting a boost in business. Hyatt Regency is also hosting free nightly jam sessions and spoke to a trumpeter who took the stage.
We also spoke with unaffiliated musicians who are performing on sidewalks or inside restaurants during the festival. You can see a recap of the opening night of the festival here and hear from festival co-producer Marc Iacona. You can also see photos from the performance of drumming legend Sheila E. at Parcel 5 here.
However, some people have tried to steal the fun. The radio station Jazz 90.1 said it had $1,500 worth of gear stolen from a locked case at a festival booth. There is also a Webster man accused of forging fake tickets to the festival.
Who are the free headliners?
As always, the festival will feature plenty of free acts, including the headliners at Parcel 5 and the East Avenue and Chestnut Street Stage. Here’s the lineup for the free headliners, which all begin at 9 p.m.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram: Saturday, June 22 at the East Avenue and Chestnut Street Stage. A Grammy-Award winning blues vocalist and guitarist.
Sheila E. and the E-Train: Wednesday, June 26 at Parcel 5. Sheila E., the legendary drummer and singer known for her collaborations with Prince and other music superstars, will perform with her group.
- Canceled:
Los Lonely Boys: Thursday, June 27 at Parcel 5. The Texas-based rock trio Los Lonely Boys has sold more than 2.5 million records, won a Grammy, and received five more Grammy nominations in the span of their career.
- Cimafunk: Friday, June 28 at Parcel 5. Cimafunk is a Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban artist. His music offers an innovative mix of funk, afrobeat and hip hop.
- Rejuvenation: Saturday June 29 at Parcel 5. A performance led by a New Orleans modern funk ensemble will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Meters’ iconic album Rejuvenation. It will feature the original members of The Meters’, George Porter Jr. on bass and Leo Nocentelli on guitar.
Which headliners require tickets?
There also headlining acts from music superstars, including Taj Mahal and John Oates, that require tickets. All of these performances are at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre and begin at 8 p.m.
Taj Mahal: Friday, June 21. The legendary blues guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has three Grammy wins and 14 nominations.
The Lee Ritenour Band: Saturday, June 22. The Los Angeles-based guitarist has explored several genres during his five decades of performing.
Laufey: Wednesday, June 26. The Icelandic jazz vocalist and multi-instrumentalist won a 2024 Grammy award. Tickets are sold out.
John Oates: Thursday, June 27. The co-founder of the chart-topping duo Hall & Oates will perform. Since forming their duo in the 1970s, John Oates and Daryl Hall have recorded 21 albums together and have sold over 80 million units, making them one of the most successful duos in rock history.
- Samara Joy: Friday, June 28. The jazz vocalist has a Grammy win, a chart-topping album, and has performed on the TODAY Show among other TV shows.
When are the free jazz workshops?
The jazz festival workshops aim to give music students of all ages the ability to learn from professional jazz musicians.
All of the workshops take place at the Eastman School of Music at the Ray Wright Room from 1 to 2:30 p.m. No registration is required for the workshops and all instruments are welcome. Here is the schedule:
Monday, June 24. Saxophonist Tommy SmithTuesday, June 25. Drummer Jae SinnettWednesday, June 26. Bassist Roberto OcchipintiThursday, June 27. Saxophonist Johnny Johnson- Friday, June 28. Trumpeter Mike Kaupa
Why did Los Lonely Boys cancel their headline show?
Los Lonely Boys didn’t perform a headline show on Thursday night due to family emergency. The band members released a statement saying that their father is in intensive hospital care after having a heart attack and stroke. The band was scheduled to hold a free show at Parcel 5:
“We are writing to you today from Austin, TX, where our father is in intensive hospital care after suffering a heart attack and stroke. It is with heavy hearts that we are writing to tell you that we won’t be able to perform the shows this week in Rochester, NY, Jim Thorpe, PA, and Lynn, MA.”
“We know that many of you have made plans to travel to these shows, bought tickets far in advance, and have been looking forward to celebrating with us. But that celebration must be postponed. We are working on rescheduling, and we will see you soon. If you know us, you know that it’s always been familia first — and we could make no other choice than to be at our father’s side during this critical time.”
“Please share prayers and well wishes. We send you our heartfelt apologies for inconveniencing you and hope you understand. We pray that all of us find health and spiritual direction together.”