The Rochester International Jazz Festival 2026 has been a whirlwind of musical innovation and cultural celebration. With a diverse lineup of performances and workshops, the festival has offered something for every jazz enthusiast. From intimate workshops to electrifying concerts, the event has showcased the best in jazz music.
Tuesday marked the midpoint of the festival, and the energy was palpable. The day kicked off with a vocal jazz workshop led by the renowned Allan Harris at the Eastman School’s Ray Wright Room. This workshop was part of a weeklong jazz education series, designed to inspire learners of all ages and backgrounds.
Allan Harris: A Masterclass in Storytelling
Allan Harris, a singer and guitarist with a rich musical heritage, shared his insights and experiences with the audience. Born into a life of music, Harris recounted his childhood memories, including his time with Duke Ellington, whom he jokingly described as having a voice that was scary and deep. His stories painted a vivid picture of a world filled with soul food restaurants, Sunday matinees, and horse rearing on his grandfather’s farm in Pennsylvania.
Harris emphasized the importance of storytelling in performance, encouraging musicians to pick songs that resonate with their voices and to treat the audience as both a confidant and a gentle creature to be tended to. His workshop featured a jam session with Bob Sneider on guitar, Erin Famous on upright bass, and Rick Germanson on keys. Together, they performed songs like Sunny and Charade showcasing their musical intuition and telepathic-like communication.
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder: A Cosmic Journey
In the evening, the festival continued with a performance by Hiromi’s Sonicwonder at Kodak Hall. The quartet, consisting of Hiromi on piano and keyboards, Hadrien Feraud on bass, Gene Coye on drums, and Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, took the audience on a cosmic journey. Their performance was a dynamic blend of rambunctious melodies and conscious shifts, keeping the audience spellbound.
Hiromi’s star-factor shone brightly as she moved between the piano and synthesized keyboards, her hands flitting between different rhythms and timbres. Her physical performance was as captivating as her musical craftsmanship, with thrashing movements and beaming smiles that added to the Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet playing was smooth and buttery, adding a layer of richness to the ensemble’s sound.
The Empress: A Saxophone Symphony
The night concluded with a performance by The Empress an all-woman saxophone quartet, at Kilbourn Hall. The group, featuring Pureum Jin, Lauren Sevian, Erena Terakubo, and Chelsea Baratz, showcased their debut album Square One which reimagines jazz standards for the saxophone. Backed by a pianist, bassist, and drummer, The Empress delivered a performance that was both energetic and nuanced.
Pureum Jin’s direct approach to leading the quartet was evident in her visual cues and pointed hand raises. The group’s warbling octave work and even-paced solos demonstrated their shared stamina and musical prowess. Highlights of the performance included a rendition of Duke Ellington’s Caravan and a closer with Oliver Nelson’s Yearnin’ which left the audience in awe.
The Rochester International Jazz Festival 2026 has been a testament to the power of jazz music to bring people together and inspire creativity. With its diverse lineup and engaging workshops, the festival has once again proven to be a must-attend event for jazz lovers worldwide.
