12 p.m.: Mike Cottone Trio Monroe County Library (Free)
4:30 p.m.: Rochester Area High School Bands City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage (Free)
5:15 p.m.: Rochester Area High School Bands City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage (Free)
5:30 p.m.: Wild Magnolias Harro East Ballroom ($20, or Club Pass)
It's the Mardi Gras Indians that are the true sparkle and awe of Mardi Gras, not the boobs, booze, and beads. Part social club, part secret society, Mardi Gras Indians were founded as a synthesis of African, Creole, Indian, and Spanish influences by black American musicians. They then branched out into various tribes, like Wild Magnolias. Known for their elaborate, flamboyantly colorful costumes, the Magnolias are at times louder than the drum-centric parade music. Wild Magnolias make a full-blown Vegas floor show look like school board meeting. (FD)
6 p.m.: ECMS - Saxology City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage (Free)
6 p.m.: New Energy Jazz Orchestra Club Pass Big Tent ($20, or Club Pass)
Listen to New Energy Jazz Orchestra's "The Sands Of Time" and you will hear some of the most impressive composing and arranging for big bands anywhere. The orchestra was founded by saxophonist Carl Atkins and trumpeter Jonathan Kruger, both faculty members at Rochester Institute of Technology. The compositions and arrangements are by Atkins, Kruger, and trombonist David Gibson. All three contribute excellent solos, as do Terrance Bruce (tenor sax), Mark Kellogg (trombone), Rich Thompson (drums), John Nyerges (piano), and many more outstanding players. Atkins has shared the stage with George Russell, Jaki Byard, and Wayne Shorter. Kruger has played with Cleo Laine and Johnny Mathis. Gibson has played with Randy Brecker and Roy Hargrave. (RN)
6 p.m.: Taylor Eigsti & Julian Lage Montage Music Hall ($20, or Club Pass)
In his short time on the jazz scene, pianist Taylor Eigsti has already sat in with (and won praise from) Dave Brubeck. He has also been featured twice on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz. But he's a veteran compared to jazz guitar sensation Julian Lage, who is not yet 20. Lage was selected to tour with vibraphone great Gary Burton's Generations band when he was just 15. And his writing was so advanced that three of his tunes were included on the band's album. Since then he has played on albums by David Grisman and Nnenna Freelon. Both of these players have skills well beyond their years; together they should provide one dazzling solo after another. (RN)
6 p.m.: David Murray's Black Saint Quartet Kilbourn Hall ($25, or Club Pass)
David Murray blows hot and cool in the jazz world, but his bags are packed for frequent forays into world beat and the blues. Murray really doesn't alter his style or tone, no matter if he's acting as a brick in the World Saxophone Quartet's immense wall of brass, as a leader of assorted quin-, sex-, and octets, or fronting big bands, or jamming with Jerry Garcia and James "Blood" Ulmer. His easy phrasing and in-the-moment affectations seem to fit everywhere. That includes the powerful soundtrack Murray contributed to "Banished," the 2007 documentary on the expulsion if African Americans from their homes in the Mid-West and South in the late 1800's through the 1930's. Despite his versatility, his Black Saint Quartet (a name taken from the Italian label where he cut many of his legendary sides) is a primo setting for this cat to shine. (FD)
6:15 p.m.: Robi Botos Trio Max of Eastman Place ($20, or Club Pass)
Robi Botos began playing drums and percussion while growing up with his Romani (Gypsy) family in Nyiregyhaza, Hungary. At the age of 7 he switched to the piano and eventually gravitated toward jazz. He has won numerous awards, from Best Soloist at Hungarian Bartok Radio's international jazz piano competition in 1998, to Canada's National Jazz Award for Keyboardist of the Year in 2007. With his brilliant technique and wonderful sensitivity, it is not difficult to see why he garners so many prizes. (RN)
6:30 p.m.: Jake Shimabukuro High Fidelity ($20, or Club Pass)
By now we know that it is no threat to the jazz-loving population to say that Jake Shimabukuro is viral. It simply means that a YouTube video of him playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" in Central Park is so popular that well over 2 million people have seen it. And if you haven't heard it, let's just say 2 million people can't be wrong. The arrangement is complicated enough, involving bass, rhythm, and lead at the same time. But what makes it incredible is the fact that he is playing it on a ukulele with only four strings and a tiny neck that looks like it belongs in the hands of Mickey Mouse. If you do catch it on YouTube (or his own Flamenco-oriented "Let's Dance") it's a safe bet you're going to be in line for this concert. (RN)
6:45 p.m.: Jae Sinnett Quartet Christ Church ($20, or Club Pass)
Jae Sinnett has been a top-notch drummer in a variety of settings for the past two decades. He has played with some of the most demanding musicians in jazz, including Branford and Ellis Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, and Joe Henderson. Sinnett's latest quartet album, "It's Telling... A Drummer's Perspective," showcases another side of his talent. He wrote the album's complex, challenging compositions, all of which are beautifully interpreted by Sinnett and the band's other three members. Steve Wilson applies his impeccable style on saxophone solos throughout. Allen Farnham is consistently excellent on piano. And Terry Burrell locks in beautifully with Sinnett, whether he is playing acoustic or six-string electric bass. (RN)
7:15 p.m.: Wild Magnolias Harro East Ballroom ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
7:15 p.m.: Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra Combo City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage (Free)
7:30 p.m.: Iro Haarla Quartet Lutheran Church of the Reformation ($20, or Club Pass)
Finnish harpist and pianist Iro Haarla paints her vibrant soundscapes with Impressionistic strokes. Her recent album, "Northbound," features compositions with titles like "On The Crest Of A Wave," "Watertorn Rocks," and "Veil Of Mist," each of which is an evocative, free-jazz tone poem. Haarla spent much of her career working with her late husband, Edward Vesala, a major force on the European jazz scene, arranging and editing compositions for his group, Sound & Fury. A composer and pianist trained at Helsinki's Sibelius Academy, she took up synthesizers, accordion koto, and even the harp when Vesala needed these instruments. Now Haarla is leading her own ensemble and forging her own distinct path. (RN)
8 p.m.: Rochester Jazz at the Philharmonic Eastman Theatre ($27.50-$50)
Special Guests:
CARMEN LUNDY, vocals
HOUSTON PERSON, tenor sax
ERIC ALEXANDER, tenor sax
VINCE HERRING, alto sax
NICHOLAS PAYTON, trumpet
JEREMY PELT, trumpet
SLIDE HAMPTON, trombone
PETER BERNSTEIN, guitar
CEDAR WALTON, piano
ERIC REED, piano
PETER WASHINGTON, bass
DAVID WILLIAMS, bass
KENNY WASHINGTON, drums
LOUIS HAYES, drums
What an embarrassment of riches! It's hard to imagine this much talent on one stage, but it takes a host of great players to ignite the competitive spirit of a knock-down, drag-out jam session. One of today's top jazz singers, Carmen Lundy, will handle vocals. Her scat-singing skills will be put to the test against a variety of instrumentalists, spanning the generations. Among the legends are trombonist Slide Hampton, saxophonist Houston Person, pianist Cedar Walton and drummer Louis Hayes. They'll be challenged by young lions, including trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonist Eric Alexander, pianist Eric Reed, drummer Kenny Washington and many more excellent players. When these guys start going at it, get out of the way. (RN)
8:30 p.m.: Djabe Club Pass Big Tent ($20, or Club Pass)
Like a Buster Poindexter goulash, the rudiments and retro worldliness of traditional Hungarian music get the jazz jolt from Djabe, a Hungarian sextet centered around the brilliant bass of lead composer Barabas Tamas. The band's polyrhythmic play, coupled with brassy jumps from the horns, certainly has the potential for collision. But ultimately Djabe swings with both feet --- each one in any number of genres and grooves. Unexpected, unique, and fun. (FD)
8:45 p.m.: Jae Sinnett Quartet Christ Church ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
9:15 p.m.: Music Educators Jazz Ensemble City of Rochester Jazz Street Stage (Free)
9:30 p.m.: Iro Haarla Quartet Lutheran Church of the Reformation ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
10 p.m.: Taylor Eigsti & Julian Lage Montage Music Hall ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
10 p.m.: David Murray's Black Saint Quartet Kilbourn Hall ($25, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
10 p.m.: Jake Shimabukuro High Fidelity ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
10 p.m.: Robi Botos Trio Max of Eastman Place ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
10 p.m.: Djabe Club Pass Big Tent ($20, or Club Pass)
See bio above.
10:30 p.m.: Jazz Session w/Bob Sneider Rochester Plaza Hotel (Free)
You'd better arrive early if you want any chance at a seat at the Bob Sneider Trio's exceedingly popular jam session, held every night at Crowne Plaza's State Street Bar and Grill. Starting at around 10:30 p.m. and getting hotter as the night progresses, the session attracts some of the festival's finest musicians for after-hours jams. Sneider is a world-class jazz guitarist who has superb support from Mike Melito on drums and Phil Flanigan on bass. You never know who will show up. Wynton Marsalis played for an hour after his concert last year. George Benson, Chris Potter, and Eric Alexander are among the many other stars who have sat in with the band. (RN)
For more information, and to order tickets, visit the RIJF website.