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Rochester International Jazz Festival

23rd Edition

June 19-27, 2026

History

Keeping live jazz vibrant and accessible

The Rochester International Jazz Festival, founded in 2002 by John Nugent and Marc Iacona, began with an impressive lineup of artists and drew 15,000 attendees. It has since grown into the largest jazz festival in New York State and one of the largest and most respected in the United States and North America, now drawing more than 200,000 visitors annually to enjoy an immersive musical experience with hundreds of concerts over nine days across 19 venues in downtown Rochester. Over time, it has had a major impact on jazz by showcasing both legendary artists and emerging talent from around the world, helping to expand the genre’s audience and keeping live jazz vibrant and accessible. Locally, the festival has transformed Rochester’s cultural identity, turning the city into a major international music destination each summer, revitalizing its downtown East End, and generating over $220 million in economic impact while supporting education through scholarships and year-round musical activity. Overall, the festival has strengthened Rochester’s reputation as a leading jazz city while contributing significantly to the preservation and evolution of jazz culture globally.

The Festival is produced and owned by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company owned by Marc Iacona, Producer and Executive Director, and John Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director. Nugent and Iacona consistently deliver a multi-dimensional festival with something for everyone. Nugent, a noted tenor sax player, has traveled the world with many jazz artists, including Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, The Woody Herman Orchestra, and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Iacona, a Rochester native and business and community leader, is an avid trumpeter and supporter of the arts and is President of Simcona Electronics.

Encore Artists

  • Bill Frisell – 11 times – 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2026
  • Joe Locke – 10 times  – 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2025
  • Trombone Shorty – 10 times – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2025, 2026
  • Catherine Russell – 9 times –  2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2026
  • Tessa Souter – 8 times – 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2026
  • Djabe – 8 times – 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2026
  • Bonerama – 6 times – 1007, 2009, 2011,2014, 2017, 2019
  • Chris Botti – 6 times – 2002, 2005, 2011, 2016, 2022, 2026
  • Brubeck Brothers – 5 times – 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024
  • Jake Shimabukuro – 3 times – 2008, 2009, 2019
  • Steve Gadd – 3 times – 2013, 2015, 2019

Jazz Scholarships Awarded

Founded in 2002, the Rochester International Jazz Festival / Eastman School of Music (RIJF/ESM) Jazz Scholarship Program was the first jazz music scholarship established at the renowned Eastman School of Music. Sponsored by Festival producers Marc Iacona and John Nugent, the scholarships are funded by proceeds from the annual Festival. Several hundred thousand dollars have been awarded for 45 scholarships to help gifted young musicians attending the Eastman School of Music offset tuition costs.

44  Scholarships Awarded to Date

2025 – Ethan Hart, saxophone, Williamsville, New York
2024 – Parker Vinyard, drums, Perry, New York
2023 – Peter Foley, double bass, Pittsford, New York
2022 – Daniel Atkinson,  jazz trombone, Honeoye Falls, New York
2019 – Roy Marshall, Penfield, New York
2018 – Grant Le, Bass, Hanover Park, IL
2017 – Yvonne Rogers, Penobscot, Maine; Ryan Barski, Pittsford, New York; Jamal Kemp, Kutztown, Pennsylvania; Maxwell Caine, Ridgewood, New Jersey; Dylan Ocorr, Fairport, NY
2016 – Grace Frarey (saxophone)
2014 – Max Berlin (pianist/composer), Emanuel Burks (trumpet)
2013 – Ryder Eaton, C.J. Ziarniak
2012 – Matthew Sieber-Ford (tenor sax)
2011 – Michael Craig (drums), Joe Kozlowski (trumpet), Brendan Lanighan (trombone)
2010 – Erik Stabnau (saxophone), Alex Patrick (guitar)
2009 – Gabe Condon (guitar), Jeffrey Krol (drums), Matthew Krol (piano)
2008 – Adrian DiMatteo (guitar), Evan Henry (trumpet), Daniel Ziemann (bass), Karl J Stabnau, Levi G Saelua (saxophone)
2007 – Karl J Stabnau
2006 – Timothy E Craig, Christina M Custode (piano/vocals), John E Hmiel
2005 – Chris Q Potter, Anthony R Libutti, Nicholas A Finzer (trombone)
2004 – David F Goebel, Jared M Schonig (drums), Matthew L Valerio (piano), Mark R Wolfram, Christopher A Ziemba (piano)
2003 – Michael A Cottone (trumpet), Simon F Fletcher, Michael A Kujawski (bass guitar)

Artists by Year pdf Artist Lineup by Year (Word)

Title Sponsors

  • Heluva Good: 2004 to 2007
  • Xerox: 2009 to 2018
  • CGI Digital: 2018 to 2024
  • Rochester Regional Health – 2024 to Present

Artist Lineup by Year

Program Guide Archives

Note: printed program guides were discontinued after 2022.

Jam Session Participants Through the Years

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