Rochester International Jazz Festival Day Two Highlights Free High-School Jazz and Bob James Trio

The Rochester International Jazz Festival (RIJF) entered its second day on June 20, 2026, with a mix of free community‑oriented performances and headline acts in downtown Rochester’s East End. The nine‑day festival, which runs from June 19 to 27, has become a staple of the city’s cultural calendar, drawing more than 200,000 attendees in recent years and featuring over 300 concerts in 20 venues.

A key feature of RIJF is the free “Jazz Street” program that opens each day with three high‑school or college jazz ensembles. On Day 2, the School of the Arts (SOTA) High School Jazz Band closed the free‑show lineup. The ensemble, which has been recognized for its professional‑level playing, had previously competed in New York City earlier that year. According to the festival’s schedule, the SOTA band performed pieces such as “April in Paris” and “The Jazz Police,” showcasing both classic standards and contemporary student compositions.

Festival writer Jess Williams, who attended the SOTA performance, noted that the band’s conductor stepped aside to allow the students to lead the set, a common practice in high‑school jazz programs that encourages creative ownership. Williams described the experience as “life‑affirming” and emphasized the importance of community support for local arts programs.

The day’s headline act was Bob James, the jazz‑fusion keyboardist best known for “Angela,” the theme from the television series Taxi, and “Nautilus,” a track that has been sampled extensively in hip‑hop. James returned to RIJF with his trio, which had performed at the Temple Theater in 2021. For the 2026 show, the trio played at Kodak Hall, a venue within walking distance of the Eastman Theatre.

The lineup for the trio included bassist Michael Palazzolo, who had previously performed with James, and drummer John Mahon, who joined the group for this festival. Mahon’s background touring with the Elton John Band brought a different dynamic to the trio compared to the earlier drummer, James Adkins. Williams reported that Mahon’s presence shifted the group’s sound from spontaneous to more calculated and flexible, and that the trio incorporated a mid‑set cover of Gregory Porter’s “Take Me to the Alley,” with Mahon singing on drums.

The set’s highlight was a rendition of “Nautilus,” during which the trio engaged in rapid, overlapping solos that culminated in a dramatic finish. The performance concluded with a rendition of “Angela,” which received a standing ovation from the audience.

After the James trio, the festival’s free‑show program continued with the Alexa Tarantino Quartet at Kilbourn Hall, part of the Eastman School of Music. The quartet—featuring Tarantino on alto and soprano saxophone, Steven Feifke on piano, Philip Norris on bass, and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums—performed a mix of post‑bop tunes and original compositions. Williams highlighted Tarantino’s recent releases and her background, noting that she earned a bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School and a master’s from Juilliard.

The quartet’s set included new pieces such as “Provoking Luck” and “Portrait of a Shadow,” as well as the slower “All Along,” which showcased the group’s ability to navigate extended solos. The set ended with “Inside Looking Out,” a fast‑paced, experimental track that demonstrated the quartet’s improvisational skills.

RIJF’s programming continues to emphasize a blend of world‑class talent and community‑level musicianship. The festival’s free shows, which include high‑school ensembles and local jazz groups, provide a platform for emerging artists while complementing the headline acts that draw large crowds. As the festival moves into its final days, organizers and attendees alike anticipate additional performances across the East End’s venues.

The next scheduled headline performance is the Count Basie Orchestra, set for June 23 at the Eastman Theatre. The festival’s official website lists the remaining lineup, and tickets for paid club passes are available through the festival’s online portal.

The current situation is that the festival is proceeding as planned, with free and paid shows scheduled through June 28. Attendees can access the full program and venue details on the RIJF website.