Thousands of people flocked to downtown Rochester Friday night for the opening of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.
Very mild temperatures and free outdoor acts like Dr. John helped draw huge crowds downtown, as well as artists at other venues including Pink Martini and Nikki Yanofsky.
Hundreds of artists are performing during the nine day festival which usually draws close to 200,000 people over the event which is based in Rochester's East End.
The festival attracts musicians and music lovers from all over the world. Among the changes this year, using The Little Theatre as one of the venues, and the availability of a shuttle bus which makes stops at various city garages.
Keep up with festival news at the special section on our website.
