The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals presenting legendary performers, familiar favorites, rising stars, and new discoveries from around the world.
The multi-dimensional nine-day festival is held annually in Rochester, NY, and presents more than 1750 artists from around the world in 325+ shows at 20 venues. Founded in 2002, attendance has grown from 15,000 in 2002 to 210,000 in 2022. The economic impact delivered to the region now approaches $200 million.
RIJF navigates all genres of creative improvised music bringing together unique musical sounds from many countries, highlighting international artists' take on the only truly American art form - jazz. It is presented in three series:
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The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals presenting legendary performers, familiar favorites, rising stars, and new discoveries from around the world.
The multi-dimensional nine-day festival is held annually in Rochester, NY, and presents more than 1750 artists from around the world in 325+ shows at 20 venues. Founded in 2002, attendance has grown from 15,000 in 2002 to 210,000 in 2022. The economic impact delivered to the region now approaches $200 million.
RIJF navigates all genres of creative improvised music bringing together unique musical sounds from many countries, highlighting international artists' take on the only truly American art form - jazz. It is presented in three series:
Headliner series, ticketed shows at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre and free shows on outdoor stages.
Club Pass Series of 196 shows, accessible with the festival's unique Club Pass, a value pass to discovery, or single entry cash only at the door. The popular Club Pass provides access to all club venues to sample a wide spectrum of music. It's no wonder the festival motto is “It's not just who you know, it's who you don't know.”
Free shows and events including outdoor stage concerts, workshops for music students and nightly jam sessions, where there's no telling who will drop in to play. It's said that jazz never sleeps and this event proves it as the music goes on deep into the night – often with unsung musicians who electrify the room.
Our jazz scholarship program has awarded almost $500,000 in scholarships to 42 students entering Eastman School of Music since 2002.
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is produced by RIJF, LLC, a privately held company owned by John Nugent and Marc Iacona. Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director, is a noted tenor sax player, who has traveled the world with many jazz artists including Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, The Woody Herman Orchestra and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Marc Iacona, Producer and Executive Director, is a Rochester native and President of Simcona Electronics. A business and community leader, he is an avid trumpeter and supporter of the arts.
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