The seventh annual Rochester International Jazz Festival in Rochester, NY, presented by M&T Bank, is set for June 13-21. The nine-day event will feature more than 800 artists from around the world performing in 250 concerts. Frank Sinatra Jr. & His Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater with special guest Richard Bona Band, Boz Scaggs, and Al Green will headline.

Held at 15 venues in Rochester’s downtown cultural district, the festival is presented in different components: the Eastman Theater Headliner Series; more than at least five dozen free shows on three outdoor stages; and 150 concerts in the Club Pass Series.

Tickets for headliner shows range from $27.50 to $85 plus service charges and go on sale April 11. Tickets for the Club Pass Series shows are $20 and $25, sold at the door only, no advance sales. Club shows for all nine days with the Club Pass are $125 plus $4 service charge until May 31; $135 plus $4 service charge from June 1 if still available.

This year’s Eastman Series features two special concerts:
— “Gillespiana” – A Tribute To Dizzy Gillespie with special guests
Jeanie Bryson (Dizzy’s daughter); Byron Stripling; Gerry Niewood and a
21-piece Jazz Orchestra conducted by Jeff Tyzik.
— Jazz at the Philharmonic – Celebrating the Jam Session starring Carmen
Lundy, Houston Person, Eric Alexander, Vince Herring, Nicholas Payton,
Jeremy Pelt, Slide Hampton, Peter Bernstein, Cedar Walton, Eric Reed,
Peter Washington, David Williams, Kenny Washington and Louis Hayes.

“I am overwhelmed by the growing support we have received each year from all corners of the community,” said Marc Iacona, producer and executive director, in a statement. “It gives us passion and energy to continue to bring a preeminent music event to this city that can enhance our quality of life, attract people from all over the world and favorably impact our area’s economy.”

Among the dozens of other performers scheduled for the 2008 Rochester International Jazz Festival: Al Foster Quartet, Alison Brown Quartet, Amina Figarova Sextet, Six Classic Jazz Films from Retro Rochester, Barbara Dennerlein, Beady Belle, Beaucoup Blue, John Beck Quartet featuring Mike Cottone, John Scofield Trio, John Viviani & Filthy Funk, Juliette Lloyd, Kenny Washington,Music Educators Jazz Ensemble, Music Music Music, Nate Rawls Band, Neocollage, New Energy Jazz Orchestra, New Horizons Big Band, New York’s Finest Jazz Ensemble, Nicholas Payton, The Kentucky Headhunters, The Nighthawks, The Skatalites, The Sliding Hammers, The Yellowjackets and Third World.

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