Never Too Early, Part 2
We conclude our guide to the big June jazzfests – and hey, contest merch!
Piano virtuoso Sean Mason played two shows at last year’s Rochester international Jazz Festival, one with his quartet and one solo. (8495Jazz photo)
I hope we’ve all dug out from the big snow of last weekend. Numerous events were canceled or postponed – a good reminder to always check with the venue before we venture out.
This week, we finish our guide to the big northeastern/Canadian June jazz festivals with Rochester and Toronto. The entire 8495Jazz staff has been to both, and they make a great getaway for a long (or better yet, longer) weekend or more.
And this week for the first time, we also bring you the opportunity to start your day with an official 8495Jazz coffee mug, absolutely free. See the fine print below!
Let’s get to the fests, shall we?
Rochester International Jazz Festival, June 19-27
Rochester was the 8495Jazz staff’s “big do” in 2025 and it is well worth putting on your calendar. More than a week of top-drawer talent and up-and-comers, all in a fairly compact area around the Eastman School of Music. There are tickets for headline concerts, lots of freebie outdoor shows, and scores of more intimate shows at venues in the festival’s “Club Pass” series (you can also pay cash at the door for the Club Pass shows, which we found was a good option, given that many of the artists we wanted to see were playing concurrently – so we had to pick and choose). There is a gathering spot in front of the big tent stage with food trucks for most every taste.
We stayed at the nearby Hampton Inn, no more than a 10-minute walk from the festival’s epicenter.
Headliners thus far: Chris Botti (June 25).
Club Pass Series highlights: Catherine Russell, June 19 (2 shows); Joe Lovano & Guests Celebrate John Coltrane, June 19; Alexa Tarantino, June 20 (2 shows); Arturo Sandoval, June 21 (2 shows); Soul Rebels (June 22); Hirommi’s Sonicwonder, June 23 (2 shows); Bill Frisell Trio, June 24; Doreen Ketchens New Orleans Jazz Quartet, June 26-27.
And there’s so much more. Comprehensive info in the link above.
Oh, just one more thing, as the great detective, Lieutenant Columbo, was fond of saying. Everybody has a favorite BBQ joint, so we won’t belabor or gratuitously superlativize things – but no trip to Rochester is complete with a stop at the Dinosaur. A perfect culinary accompaniment to America’s greatest native art form.
Toronto International Jazz Festival, June 16-28
Not quite as big a she-bang as Rochester or Montreal, the Toronto festival still packs plenty of entertainment in a fairly concentrated area around the University of Toronto area in Bloor-Yorkville. When the 8495Jazz staff went in 2023, we stayed at the trendy Andorre House on the corner of Charles and Yonge streets, about a 10-minute walk from most the free outdoor venues and restaurants. Most ticketed shows are in venues close by a Metro subway stop, and the trains are usually convenient (if a Blue Jays game gets out same time as a concert, it’s close quarters!).
The university area is very chill, a great locale for kicking back and enjoying a free show in one of the campus courtyards.
The ticketed lineup thus far includes: Emilie-Claire Barlow, June 23; Kokoroko, June 25; Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, June 27: Ibrahim Maalouf, June 27.
Who wouldn’t want this BEAUTIFUL mug?
Most all of you 8495Jazz readers know we are a shoestring operation (you may or may not take this as a cue to join the ranks of paid subscribers!).
We are just dipping our toes into the merch thing, and would like to kick things off by offering FOR FREE this delightfully branded coffee mug to one lucky reader.
All you have to do is:
1. Pick out a favorite 8495Jazz edition. It can be this week’s or any other week that grabbed you.
2. Share the link to that edition on Facebook and tag 8495Jazz (please make that post public). The reader whose share gets the most “likes” as of Feb. 15 will receive their mug ASAP, as long as you’re willing to share your domicile’s GPS deets with us.
That’s it. You’ll be in good company. We’ve already shared some prototypes with some BIG NAMES in the regional jazz scene.
Technically maybe not jazz, but Margo Timmins does mention a cup of coffee several times in this tune. And a killer use of guitar effects pedal.
Out and About with 8495Jazz
These listings are a curated sampling of shows in the region. As an independent resource for jazz news, 8495Jazz does not receive any consideration, free tickets, or affiliate fees for these listings. Please confirm events are still happening directly with the venue.
8495Jazz Wild Card Gig of the Week
Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA
Greater Boston Vintage Society Nor’Easter Island Saturday Swing Dance feat. the Compaq Big Band, Saturday, Feb. 7, $26.90 including service fee (you can see there are also more events starting Thursday and ticket info if you’re feeling the full From Here to Eternity vibe)
8495Jazz Spur of the Moment Gig TODAY
The Lilypad, Cambridge, MA
Souq El-Jazz (Arabic jazz fusion), 4:30 pm. GA $15.
Other Upcoming Shows
La Zingara, Bethel, CT
Swing du Jour (gypsy jazz), Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7 pm. GA standing room $23.18 including service fee, table service seats approx. $24 including service fee.
American Mural Project, Winsted, CT
Nicole Zuraitis (vocals, piano), Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 pm. Advance GA $55.20, students $12.51 including service fee.
Scullers, Boston, MA
Jeremy Pelt record release show (trumpet, combo), Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 and 9 pm. GA $31.25 – $70.45
Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
Baby Grand Jazz, Matt Parker (sax, combo), today, 3 pm. Free.
Elicit Brewing Co., Manchester, CT
Hartford Jazz Orchestra, Monday, Feb. 2, 7:30 pm. Free.
The Side Door, Old Lyme, CT
Christopher McBride & The Whole Proof (sax, combo), Friday, Feb. 6, 8 pm. GA $54.45, students $27.98 including service fee.
VFW Post 399, Westport, CT
Jen Allen trio (piano, combo), Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:30 and 8:45 pm. GA $20.76, student/vet $15.76 for 7:30 show, GA $10.76 for 8:45 show.
Regattabar, Cambridge. MA
Alex Minasian Quartet w/Erc Alexander (piano, sax, combo), Friday, Feb. 6, 7:30 pm. GA $41.79, students $30.15 including service fees.
The Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
Tatiana Eva-Marie (French gypsy jazz vocals), Friday, Feb. 6, 7 pm. GA $26.50 including service fee.
Jams
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT
New Haven Jazz Underground jam, usually 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month: free admission
Saturday jazz jam most Saturdays, 4 pm. Free.
Blackeyed Sally’s, Hartford, CT
Jazz Wednesdays, featured set 7 pm, jam session afterward.
Carmine’s, East Hartford, CT
Paisley’s All Star Memorial Jam, various Tuesdays, click link for dates, 7:30 pm. House band set followed by jam. Free.
Mahoney’s, Poughkeepsie, NY
Poughkeepsie Jazz Project, every Tuesday, 7 pm. Free.
Park City Music Hall, Bridgeport, CT
Scott Cushman and Friends followed by jam, first Wednesday of the month.
The Parlour, Providence, RI
First Sunday Jam (first Sunday of the month) with Ben Shaw Quartet followed by jam, music starts at 6. Jammers $5, audience $10.
The Blue Room, Cranston, RI
Newport Jazz Presents Jam Sessions, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 8 pm. House band followed by jam.
Groton Hill Music Center, Groton, MA
Jams every second Tuesday of the month through June, 7 pm. $10 at the door, no advance sales.
Jazz Societies and Organizations (great info on events, festivals, and more)
Jazz Society of Fairfield County
Jazz Fridays at Three Sheets New Haven 1st/3rd Fridays from 6-9pm
Jazz Thursdays at The Cannon New Haven every other Thurs from 7-9pm.
8495Jazz takes its name from the two Interstate highways that cross our region, I-84 and I-95. Within short driving distances from either, you can find incredible entertainment, from local jams to world-famous festivals in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. 8495Jazz: From Newburgh to Newport!
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