FYI, I have decided to put the Live Shots posts on hiatus. I was hoping that more of our live jazz community would share their images (or tag us on socials) and Aaron Winters likes to listen to a lot of types of music (you can still catch his mages from local music venues on Facebook). We’ll reassess after the jazz festival. Let me know what you think in an email or comment.
Each week JazzRochester gathers the listings for live jazz to hear around Rochester for the next seven days, which are immediately below. Open the rest of the post at the end of this week’s listings (if you’re receiving via the email list you will see them all) and you’ll find live jazz we have heard about through the rest of May and June, plus some items of special interest beyond that. Check back from time to time as I will update the post throughout the week as I hear about new live jazz gigs around town until the next post is published. Please tell your jazz-loving friends about the site so they can join us here or on our other channels.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Leroy Jazz Ensemble & Knights ‘N Gals @ Lilac Festival, Highland Park, 12:00 pm
- Rich Thompson Trio Generations @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- Sonic Chasers @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 7:00 pm
- Indigo Breeze Quartet @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
Friday, May 15, 2026
- Pal-Mac Middle School Jazz Band, Honors Band & Con Brio @ Lilac Festival, Highland Park, 1:00 pm
- Bob Vosteen/Mel Henderson @ Zambistro’s (Medina), 6:00 pm
- Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- Darryl Parker Quartet @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant (Farmington), 5:30 pm
- George Miller & Eric Davidson @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- Game Night Quartet @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Sofrito @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 7:30 pm
- Steve Grills & the Roadmasters @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings with Jack’s Jammers @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- Luca Santana @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- Prime Time Brass @ Lilac Festival, Highland Park, 2:00 pm
- Cinque @ Rohrbach’s Railroad Street, 6:00 pm
- Dean Keller & Mike Van Allen @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- Mike Kelly Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Darryl Parker Quartet @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- The Sideways @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
Sunday, May 17 , 2026
- Kleinhans Music Hall & JazzBuffalo present Emmet Cohen Presents Miles & Coltrane at 100 @ Kleinhans Music Hall (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Steve Grills & The Roadmasters @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- The Levin Brothers @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
Monday, May 18, 2026
- No jazz for you?
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
- Bill Tiberio @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- ECMS Springfest: New Horizons Green Jazz and Jazz Ensembles @ ESM, Kilbourn Hall, 6:30 pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Ben Miller Trio @ Spotted Octopus Brewing, 56 South Union Street (Downtown), 6:00 pm
- ECMS Springfest: Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra @ Kilbourn Hall, 6:30 pm
- Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
Looking for some live jazz later this month and beyond? Then click on the arrow to open it up here . . . .
- 21st: Rich Thompson Trio Generations @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- 21st: Indigo Breeze Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- 21st: Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 7:00 pm
- 22nd: Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 22nd: Stewie Evans Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- 22nd: Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant (Farmington), 5:30 pm
- 22nd: Jazz On Tap: Mike Melito Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 22nd: Higher Ground Duo @ Ravenwood Golf Club, 6:00 pm
- 22nd: Maxwell Robbins & Wade McClung @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 22nd: Rich Thompson Trio + Wyatt Pepper @ Rochester Academy of Medicine, 7:00 pm
- 22nd: Jacob Merrill Band @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 22nd: Bop Arts presents Elsa Nilsson & Arturo O’Farrill @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 22nd: Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 22nd: Chris Palace @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
- 22nd: Los Pajaritos @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- 23rd: Stewie Evans Trio @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 23rd: George Collichio @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 23rd: Darryl Parker Quartet @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 23rd: Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 23rd: Escape Terrain @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
- 24th: The White Hots @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 24th The Flock @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 26th: Rich Thompson Trio Generations @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- 26th: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- 26th: Stein/Smith/Shead Trio @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info)
- 27th: Ben Miller Trio @ Spotted Octopus Brewing, 56 South Union Street (Downtown), 6:00 pm
- 28th: Rich Thompson Trio Generations @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- 28th: iSteel Music @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- 28th: Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 7:00 pm
- 28th: Mike Kaupa Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 28th: Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 29th: Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 29th: Dino Losito Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- 29th: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant (Farmington), 5:30 pm
- 29th: Ann Mitchell & John Gabriele @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 29th Ben Miller Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 29th: Sarah De Vallière & the Rhythmwell with special guest Katie Haverly @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 7:30 pm
- 29th: John Troy Organ Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 29th: Ian Shoenberger @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
- 30th: Ryan Johnson Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- 30th: Deborah Sorensen & Kara Mandara @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 30th: Darryl Parker Quartet @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 30th: Max Robbins @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 30th Bob Sneider Trio @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- 30th: Fred Hersch Trio @ Geneva Music Festival, Gearan Center for the Performing Arts: Froelich Hall (Geneva), 7:30 pm (more info & tickets)
- 30th: Dave Solazzo Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
- 31st: Jazz Brunch with the Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Geneva on the Lake, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
- 31st: Trio East @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
Live Jazz in June
- 2nd: ECMS Springfest: Jazz Performance Workshops @ Kilbourn Hall, 5:30 pm
- 2nd: Victrola Voilà @ Cheshire, 6:00 pm
- 2nd: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- 2nd: ECMS Springfest: Music Educators Jazz Ensemble @ Kilbourn Hall, 8:30 pm
- 3rd: Gian Carlo Cervone’s Lakeview Hot Record Club @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 3rd: Margaret Explosion @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 4th: Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 4th: Julie Ketchum & Scott Bradley @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 4th: Mel Henderson/Gerry Youngman Duo @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 5th: Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 5th: Sarah De Vallière @ Lemoncello (E.ast Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 5th: Live Jazz with the Beach Ave. Band @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- 5th: Sax Summit with Will Holton, Doc Martin & Jimmie Highsmith Jr. @ 3 Heads Brewing, 7:00 pm (call or text 585-666-0019 for tickets)
- 5th: Steve Grills & the Roadmasters @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 5th: Craig Snyder Trio @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 7:30 pm
- 6th & 7th: Jazz at Fairport Canal Days (see website soon for who’s playing when and I’ll be publishing a post as usual soon)
- 6th: Ann Mitchell with John Gabriele and Kyle Vock @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- 6th: Annie Wells & Dave Arenius @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 6th: Laura Dubin & Antonio Guerrero @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 7th: ROC Juneteenth Jazz with Herb Smith & the Freedom Trio, Jimmie Highsmith Jr., and others @ Highland Bowl, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 8th: Rich Thompson Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 9th: Ann Mitchell with John Gabriele and Dave Arenius @ Penfield Public Library, 6:30 pm
- 9th: WGMC Jazz 90.1 and The Ontario Beach Park Program Committee present Jazz at the Beach with Deepak Thettu & Friends @ Tropic Night Club (Charlotte), 7:00 pm
- 9th: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- 9th: Gregory Porter @ Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 11th: Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 12th: Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 12th: Jazz On Tap: The Darryl Parker Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:30 pm
- 12th: Mel Henderson & Marvin Dolly Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 13th: Dan and Eric’s Jazz Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 13th: Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 7:00 pm
- 13th: Mid-Century Modern Jazz Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 16th: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- 18th: Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 18th: Bill Tiberio Septet @ Remedy at the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, 7:00 pm
- 19th: Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 19th: Celebrate Juneteenth with Ron Carter & Foursight to benefit the The Black Community Focus Fund @ Hochstein Performance Hall, 6:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 19th-27th: 23rd Annual Edition of the Rochester International Jazz Festival (see schedule here). Watch for my “Picks” posts soon!
- 20th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings with Jack’s Jammers @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00-4:00 pm
- 20th: Gabriel Marcano Band @ Lovin Cup Bistro & Brews, 8:00 pm
- 23rd: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- 24th: Ann Mitchell with Simon Fletcher @ Canandaigua Country Club, 5:30 pm
- 24th: Rick Holland Little Big Band with Lindsey Holland @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 25th: Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 26th: Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 26th: Ann Mitchell with Simon Fletcher @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 5:30 pm
- 26th: Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 27th: Mary DiFranco Jazz @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- 29th: Bob Sneider Trio @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 29th: Bop Arts presents David Murray & Kahil El’Zabar @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, eventually…)
- 30th: Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
Some special live jazz even later …
- July 9-12: Syracuse Jazz Festival @ Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards & Syracuse University (website)
- July 14th: Bop Arts presents Barry Altschul, Joe Fonda, Kenny Wessel & Hayes Greenfield @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- October 4th: Bop Arts presents Dimensionality @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, eventually)
- October 7th: Samara Joy with Septet @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets)
- October 14th: Bop Arts presents New Origin Trio featuring Joe Fonda, Harvey Sorgen & Christophe Rocher @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets, eventually)
- November 5th: Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), 7:30 pm (tickets on sale 4/10, 4/9 for members)
- November 8th: Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present Nicole Zuraitis Quintet @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- December 6th: Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present Swinging in the Holidays featuring Champian Fulton and Carmen Bradford @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- March 14, 2027: Alfredo Rodríguez Trio @ Kleinhans Music Hall, Mary Seaton Room, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 3:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- April 22, 2027: Kleinhans Music Hall and JazzBuffalo present Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate the Ballads of John Coltrane @ Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle (Buffalo), 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
Click on the links where available for more information on the gig or tickets, or check out the venue’s website in the right panel. For the most part only start times for the gigs are listed, call the venue or visit their website for more details about when the doors open, how long the band will be playing, etc. Most shows do not have a cover. Please let me know if you’ve heard about any gigs that I may have missed here or if I have anything wrong (see the Contact Us link above to send an email if that’s how you roll).
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