Rochester International Jazz Festival

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 diverse indoor and outdoor venues. 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. Founded in 2002, attendance has grown from 15,000 in 2002 to 210,000 in 2022. The festival's unique Club Pass allows entry to up to 192 Club Pass Series shows at 11 venues. More than 100 free shows and events include 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.