Rochester, N.Y. - There are plenty of jazz concerts to attend the next week in Rochester.
The tenth annual Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival opens Friday afternoon.
With performers ranging from Natalie Cole and Chris Botti, to fan favorite Trombone Shorty, the city hopes to draw more than 150,000 people. While the festival has potential attendees giddy, local businesses also eagerly await what the next nine days has in store.
Nearby Stromboli Express owner (and self professed jazz lover) David Bantle says, "It's the busiest week of the year", adding that in years past his restaurant is "packed from 5-11 every day". Right down the street at Temple Bar and Grille, bartender Marianne Halton is equally optimistic, observing "There's a lot of people that don't usually come to the East End so we get a lot of new people".
It seems that music enthusiasts, local business owners and employees alike have much to look forward to between this weekend and the next.
If you hadn't planned on going, or just have no idea what to do when you got there, festival co-producer and executive director Mark Iacona has some tips. "Gibbs Street is where you really could start," adding that the main thing one must remember is to "come down with an open mind to hear all of the different kinds of music and genres".
There are many free stages throughout the city to listen to concerts.
You can also buy tickets for other shows at the festival shop at East Avenue and Gibbs Street.
For a list of venues, prices, and times,
click here.
