The 15th annual Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival gets underway Friday.
John Nugent and Marc Iacona produce the festival.
Iacona says the jazz fest has certainly grown from its early years, but he says this isn’t all about the size of the crowds…he says they’re more focused on providing a quality experience for the people who attend.
But big crowds are expected for what has become one of Rochester’s most popular festivals, it usually draws about 200,000 overall, not only from around Rochester and New York State, but from around the world.
Iacona says Rochester is a great community to hold a music festival like this.
“It’s a very educated and sophisticated when it comes to listening, and it’s not that they put themselves above anybody, they’re… very knowledgeable on music.”
The festival includes more than 1500 artists, and more than 325 concerts in 19 venues.
Iacona says the event has a very positive impact on the local economy.
“That’s a desire that we have every year, to not only be successful in our event but watch the pre, during and residual activities that happen economically, and we’re told that it has between 8 and 10 million dollars worth of economic impact in the 9 days.”
The festival includes a combination of paid shows, at various clubs and music halls as well as free performances.
Good news also for people trying to get to the festival from the east side; the East Avenue bridge, which had been closed due to the construction on the Inner Loop, will be reopened by Noon on Friday.
Listen to WXXIthroughout the festival for updates on the festival each day. WXXI-TV will also be taping several concerts during the week as it does each for later distribution across the country.
