Jazz 90.1 is doing a marathon of Miles this Sunday and on Memorial Day. Check out their site for more on the “Miles@100” Memorial Day Marathon.
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 last bit of May and June, a start on July, 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 21, 2026
- Rich Thompson Trio Generations @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- Indigo Breeze Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 6:00 pm
- Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 7:00 pm
Friday, May 22, 2026
- Jazz Happy Hour with Rev & Mabel @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 5:00 pm
- Stewie Evans Trio @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- Ann Mitchell Jazz Duo @ Prosecco Italian Restaurant (Farmington), 5:30 pm
- Jazz On Tap: Mike Kelly Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- Mike Pallini @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- Higher Ground Duo @ Ravenwood Golf Club, 6:00 pm
- Maxwell Robbins & Wade McClung @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- Rich Thompson with Daniel Zawel and Lee Wolf @ Rochester Academy of Medicine, 7:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Jacob Merrill Band @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Genre Transcendence Momentum Jazz Trio @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- Bop Arts presents Elsa Nilsson & Arturo O’Farrill @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- Chris Palace @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Los Pajaritos @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 5:00 pm
- Stewie Evans Trio @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- George Collichio @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- Darryl Parker Quartet @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
- Escape Terrain @ Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway, 9:00 pm
- Steve Grills & the Roadmasters @ Dinosaur BBQ, 9:00 pm
Sunday, May 24 , 2026
- Mel Henderson 4tet @ Brewery Ardennes (Geneva), 2:00 pm
- Steve Grills & the Roadmasters @ Twisted Rail Brewing (Canadaigua), 5:00 pm
- The White Hots @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- The Flock @ The Trestle (Sodus Point), 7:00 pm
Monday, May 25, 2026
- Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Porterhouse Steak, Scotch & Seafood (Fairport), 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- Rich Thompson Trio Generations @ Lila’s, 5:00 pm
- Greg Woodsbie Flextet @ Cheshire, 7:00 pm
- Stein/Smith/Shead Trio @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info)
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
- Ben Miller Trio @ Spotted Octopus Brewing, 56 South Union Street (Downtown), 6:00 pm
Looking for some live jazz later this month and beyond? Then click on the arrow to open it up here . . . .
- 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: Ben Miller @ Spritz 146 (East Rochester), 7:00 pm
- 28th: Mike Kaupa Quartet @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 28th: Mary DeFranco Jazz Quartet @ Rochester Swing-In at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 7:30 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: Mike & Julie Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 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: Mel Henderson 4tet @ Embark Craft Cider Works (Williamson), 1:00 pm
- 31st: Trio East @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
Live Jazz in June
- 1st: Mel Henderson & Gerry Youngman @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 pm
- 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: Higher Grounds @ Lila’s 5:00 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
- 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:
- 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: Higher Grounds @ Lila’s 5:00 pm
- 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
- 17th: Public Water Supply Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 18th: Swinging at the Biltmore @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 18th: Side Step @ The Little Theatre Cafe, 7:00 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: Mike & Julie Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 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
- 23rd: Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Stromboli’s, 7:00 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: Mike Pallini @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 26th: Raedwald and the State Street Stompers @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 pm
- 27th: Mary DeFranco Jazz Trio @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 8:00 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
Live Jazz in July
- 1st: Gian Carlo Cervone’s Lakeview Hot Record Club @ The Biltmore Bar & Lounge, 6:30 pm
- 2nd: Light Jazz with Bob Pizzutiello @ Strong Memorial Hospital Interfaith Chapel, 2:00 pm
- 3rd: Mel Henderson & Marvin Dolly Duo @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 4th: Luca Santana & Bienvenido Denzy @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 9-12: Syracuse Jazz Festival @ Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards & Syracuse University (website)
- 9th: Eastman Summer: Jazz Student Small Ensemble Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:30 pm
- 10th: Eastman Summer: Jazz Student Large Ensemble Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:30 pm
- 10th: Jazz on Tap: Bob Sneider Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 10th: Joel Kastner & Chuck Underwood @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 11th: Mike Pallini @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 11th: Ryan Johnson & Glen Cummings @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 14th: Bop Arts presents Barry Altschul, Joe Fonda, Kenny Wessel & Hayes Greenfield @ Bop Shop Records, 8:00 pm (more info & tickets)
- 17th: Indigo Breeze Trio @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 17th: Andrew Martelle & Mike Van Allen @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 18th: Live Jazz Jam Session and Wine Tastings @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 2:00 pm
- 18th: Mike & Julie Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 20th: Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Boccacini’s (Fairport), 7:00 pm
- 22nd: Eastman Summer: Trombone Jazz Night Recital @ Kilbourn Hall, 3:30 pm
- 23rd: Uptown Groove Acoustic Duo @ Annette’s American Bistro (Webster), 7:00 pm
- 24th: Jazz on Tap: ESP Trio @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 24th: Chris Cady Duo @ Lemoncello (E. Rochester), 6:00 pm
- 24th: Daniel King & Keith Dudinski @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 25th: Marvin Dolly & Ed Croft @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
- 31st: Jazz on Tap: Jon Randall Octet @ Vine and Tap Wine Bar (Charlotte), 6:00 pm
- 31st: Mike Kelly & Dave Arenius @ Flight Wine Bar Downtown, 6:30 pm
Some special live jazz even later …
- August 15th: Clarissa Street Reunion: Honoring The Python Room (inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2026)
- 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)
- November 13th: Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione @ Kodak Center, 7:00 pm (more info & presale tickets ending tomorrow at 10:00 pm, use offer passcode TROMBONE)
- 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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