NEWSLETTER
Series Passes on Sale at 40% Savings
Rochester, N.Y. (September 17, 2026) — The Rochester Regional Health Rochester International Jazz Festival presented by M&T Bank today announced the launch of the RIJF Innovation Jazz Series, a new seven-concert series that brings the energy, artistry, and excitement of the annual June Festival to Rochester audiences throughout the year.
“We’re excited to expand the Rochester International Jazz Festival experience beyond our nine days in June and bring exceptional live jazz to Rochester audiences throughout the year,” said Marc Iacona, Festival Producer and Executive Director. “The new RIJF Innovation Jazz Series gives us another opportunity to present world-class artists, support live music and build on the strong connection we’ve developed with our audiences over the past 23 years. We look forward to welcoming jazz fans to The Theater at Innovation Square for what we believe will be a very special inaugural season.”
The inaugural 2026–27 series will feature seven acclaimed artists and ensembles: New York Voices (Farewell Tour), The Groover Quartet, CONNECTED featuring Richie Goods and Chien Chien Lu, John Pizzarelli Trio, Bria Skonberg, The Sergio Mendes Band, and Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y.
Presented one Thursday each month from October 15, 2026, through May 6, 2027, the series extends the Festival experience into the fall, winter, and spring, giving audiences more opportunities to experience exceptional live jazz in an intimate setting.
All seven concerts will take place at The Theater at Innovation Square, 131 Chestnut Street in downtown Rochester, a popular Rochester International Jazz Festival venue.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase in the lobby before each performance. Seating is general admission. All sets are 90 minutes.
Series Passes On Sale Now — Save 40%
Series Passes for all seven concerts are $182.43, including all fees, a savings of 40% compared with purchasing tickets to the seven concerts individually. Season ticket holders may choose their seats and keep them for the entire season. Passes are available online now only at RochesterJazz.com/tickets.
Individual show tickets are $47.63, including all fees, and go on sale October 1st at RochesterJazz.com/tickets.
See full series information at https://rochesterjazz.com/innovation-jazz-series/
2026-27 RIJF Innovation Jazz Series Schedule
October 15, 2026
7:30 p.m.
The New York Voices (Farewell Tour)
For nearly four decades, New York Voices - soprano Kim Nazarian, alto Lauren Kinhan, baritone Peter Eldridge, and tenor/saxophonist/music director Darmon Meader—have set the gold standard for jazz vocal ensembles. Founded in the mid-1980s at Upstate New York's Ithaca College, the quartet - dubbed "The Four and Only" by Paquito D’Rivera - seamlessly blends four distinctive soloists into an exquisitely unified sound, renowned for sophisticated arrangements, daring swing, and flawless vocal precision. Read more
November 5, 2026
7:30 p.m.
The Groover Quartet
Mike LeDonne’s Groover Quartet is the ultimate expression of modern soul-jazz—a powerhouse, heavy-hitting ensemble that bridges the golden era of the Hammond B-3 organ with contemporary hard-bop brilliance. Originally formed in 2000 following a legendary, long-running Tuesday night residency at New York City’s prestigious Smoke Jazz Club, the quartet has evolved into what critics call a jazz "dream team." Read more
January 14, 2027
7:30 p.m.
Connected with Richie Goods and Chien Chien Lu
"CONNECTED" was formed during the lockdown. Bassist Richie Goods and vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu had frequent conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement and unwarranted hate crimes against Asians. They undertook a project that would unify people and evoke imagery of love and peace. Not only was the music they produced impressive, but their friendship also deepened as they explored the stereotypical discord that often exists between the African American and Asian communities. "Connected" embodies their profound musical connection. Read more
February 11, 2027
7:30 p.m.
John Pizzarelli Trio
John Pizzarelli, guitarist and singer, has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim and the Beatles. In addition to being a bandleader and solo performer. He won a GRAMMY™ in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category as co-producer of James Taylor’s American Standard in 2021. He has performed on America’s most popular national television shows. Read more
March 18, 2027
7:30 p.m.
Bria Skonberg
The New York-based and Canadian-born singer, trumpeter, and songwriter has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal). Bria has stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste, performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, and more. Read more
April 8, 2027
7:30 p.m.
The Sergio Mendes Band
The iconic sound of Sergio Mendes returns to the stage as Gracinha Leporace leads The Sergio Mendes Band in a spirited celebration of his life, joy, and musical legacy. Marking sixty years since the world debut of Brasil ’66, this revitalized ensemble continues Mendes’ lifelong mission to share the vibrant rhythms and infectious soul of Brazilian music with audiences worldwide. With a sound that blends timeless Brazilian grooves with fresh arrangements and uplifting energy, The Sergio Mendes Band brings a renewed sense of celebration to every performance. Each note pays tribute to Mendes’ remarkable influence. Read more
May 6, 2027
7:30 p.m.
Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y
The three-time GRAMMY™ winning drummer "balances excitement gracefully and shines with innovation.” (New York Times). Owens released eight albums as a leader alongside his GRAMMY-winning work with Kurt Elling, The Christian McBride Big Band, and the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra. His album, A New Beat with his "Generation Y" band, topped the JazzWeek charts for eight weeks. He made his Broadway debut in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical at Studio 54 and was named "Jazz Drummer of the Year" by the Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Read more
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About the Rochester International Jazz Festival
The Rochester Regional Health Rochester International Jazz Festival, presented by M&T Bank, is one of the largest jazz festivals in the United States and the largest in New York State, transforming downtown Rochester, NY, each June into a walkable celebration of world-class live music. Over nine days, more than 1,750 artists perform in more than 300 concerts across 19 venues – from iconic concert halls and intimate clubs to vibrant free outdoor stages. With legendary performers, rising stars, and global talent, the festival delivers an unmatched mix of jazz and creative music in a lively festival setting. The unique European-style format allows audiences to experience multiple shows each night, creating one of the most immersive and musically diverse jazz festival experiences in North America.
The 24th Edition festival is June 18-26, 2027.
RIJF, LLC, a privately held company, produces the festival. The festival team is led by Marc Iacona, Executive Director and Producer; John Nugent, Artistic Director; Karl Stabnau, Operations Director; Jean Dalmath and Amanda Antinore, Public Relations/Marketing Directors; and Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Logistics Director. Since its founding in 2002, annual attendance has grown from 15,000 to over 210,000, generating $220M+ in regional economic impact and establishing the Festival as a premier international summer music event.