The fourth night of the Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of those nights where there are choices I had to make due to timing as these Picks are possible to hear logistics-wise but I just couldn’t make others I wanted to hear work. So, you do you, but if you’re interested here are the artists/groups I am aiming to hear on June 22nd of the 2026 RIJF. The headings are links to the artists’ RIJF page so you can check them out yourself. It is possible to go hear the full sets on these picks (well, not this time, as explained below). I’ve added links at the end to others I wish I could fit in.
NYC Jazz All Stars Featuring Eric Alexander & Jeremy Pelt
I’ve heard trumpeter Jeremy Pelt play a number of times, both at the RIJF and other gigs in Rochester. The first time I heard Eric Alexander play saxophone was in the 90s at a gig in Chicago (where I lived for about 25 years) with B3 organ master Charles Earland. I’ve seen him several times at RIJF and in Rochester as a sideman and leader. I’ve never seen them together and with the killer band they are bringing, I didn’t want to miss this swinging set. This is an RIJF Producer Pick.
Venue: Temple Theater
Time: 7:00 pm & 9:15 pm
Dave Stryker Quartet with Troy Roberts
Guitarist Dave Stryker built his sound, praised by Pat Metheny as having a “joyous feel,” working with organist Jack McDuff and a long relationship with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. He has recorded more than 35 albums, the latest Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session brought his long-time organ trio, including organist Jared Gold, into the legendary Rudy Van Gelder studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Stryker and Gold will be joined by drummer Steve Johns and 3x Grammy-nominated saxophonist Troy Roberts, who has performed or recorded with Joey DeFrancesco, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Orrin Evans, John Scofield, and Veronica Swift, among others, and released 16 recordings as a leader.
Venue: Theater at Innovation Square
Time: 6:30 pm & 8:45 pm
Allan Harris Quartet
Male vocalists are not as common at the RIJF. Even though he’s been at it for a long time, I’ve managed to miss Allan Harris (I think he was last at the RIJF in 2017). Born in Brooklyn and based in Harlem, this vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader has a voice the Miami Herald described as blessed with “the warmth of Tony Bennett, the bite and rhythmic sense of Sinatra, and the sly elegance of Nat ‘King’ Cole.” Now, given how my itinerary works out this time, I’m afraid I may miss a bit of his last set at Max’s, but the mellifluous tones of Mr. Harris will likely be a nice way to close out the night.
Venue: Max of Eastman Place (also June 23rd at Montage Music Hall)
Time: 6:15 pm & 10:00 pm (6:00 pm & 10:00 pm on the 23rd)
You Might Also Consider …
Although I wanted to, I likely won’t be hearing these artists but that doesn’t mean you can’t:
- Raul Midón: I’m leaving Midón off my itinerary because I’ve heard him more than once at the RIJF (he’s been here 5 times, although the last was over 10 years ago in 2015). You can’t go wrong with this singer-songwriter and guitarist celebrated for his singular fusion of soul, jazz, Latin, and acoustic music.
- The Headhunters: I really wanted to hear the Headhunters but could not make it work with the Alexander/Pelt and Stryker gigs. I still may find a way. The Headhunters have never played the RIJF before.
As my itinerary for this night has some gaps, I will be wandering around a bit listening to the rest of the (free) festival at times but that’s an opportunity for discovery (and perhaps some grub and a cigar). Whatever you choose, I hope you take some chances and let something unexpected grab your ears. Tell me who you’re planning on seeing in the Comments below (for those of you who get the email, you’ll have to come to the site first). I’ll be back with more picks for the rest of the RIJF soon.
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