Aug 26, 2025 1:53 PM
Blindfold Test: Buster Williams
Buster Williams, who at the age of 83 has been on the scene for 65 years, had never done a Blindfold Test. The first…
Joss Stone will appear as a headliner at the 2017 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, which runs from June 23—July 1.
(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)Live jazz returns to the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival this summer alongside a healthy dose of rock, soul and r&b.
Producers John Nugent and Marc Iacona have announced that English rock band King Crimson, vocalist Joss Stone, saxophonist Maceo Parker and musical collective Postmodern Jukebox will appear as the final four headliners for the nine-day fest, which celebrates its 16th edition June 23–July 1.
Newly added acts include St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Colin James, the Jerry Douglas Band and Caravan Palace. The Hooligans—also known as the backing band for pop artist Bruno Mars—will perform on the Midtown Free Outdoor Stage.
“Every June we bring world-renowned artists to Rochester from around the globe,” said John Nugent, artistic director and co-producer. “This year the iconic UK art rock group, King Crimson, led by the incomparable Robert Fripp, makes a rare appearance on American shores. British soul goddess, Joss Stone, brings a powerhouse band along with her amazing vocals. YouTube sensations, Postmodern Jukebox, will deliver their unique sounds in Kodak Hall and we are honored to present the ultimate celebration of the life of the legendary Ray Charles [with] To Ray, With Love, starring Maceo Parker with The Ray Charles Orchestra featuring The Raelettes.”
Overall, the festival includes more than 325 shows at 19 venues across the downtown area.
The 3-day Club Pass and 9-day Club Pass are also on sale at rochesterjazz.com for $154 and $204 respectively, plus service charges. Tickets for headliners Sheryl Crow and Mavis Staples are also still available.
For a complete lineup of artists, visit the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival website. DB
“What I got from Percy was the dignity of playing the bass,” Buster Williams said of Percy Heath.
Aug 26, 2025 1:53 PM
Buster Williams, who at the age of 83 has been on the scene for 65 years, had never done a Blindfold Test. The first…
Don and Maureen Sickler serve as the keepers of engineer Rudy Van Gelder’s flame at Van Gelder Studio, perhaps the most famous recording studio in jazz history.
Sep 3, 2025 12:02 PM
On the last Sunday of 2024, in the control room of Van Gelder Studio, Don and Maureen Sickler, co-owners since Rudy Van…
The Free Slave, Cosmos Nucleus and Sunset To Dawn: three classic Muse albums being reissued this fall by Timer Traveler Recordings.
Aug 26, 2025 1:32 PM
Record producer and “Jazz Detective” Zev Feldman has launched his next endeavor, the archival label Time Traveler…
This year’s Jazz em Agosto set by the Darius Jones Trio captured the titular alto saxophonist at his most ferocious.
Aug 26, 2025 1:31 PM
The organizers of Lisbon, Portugal’s Jazz em Agosto Festival assume its audience is thoughtful and independent. Over…
Trio aRT with its avalanche of instrumentation: from left, Pheeroan akLaff, Scott Robinson and Julian Thayer.
Sep 3, 2025 12:03 PM
Trio aRT, a working unit since 1988, shockingly released its very first studio recording this summer. Recorded in…
