Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 10th Anniversary Series

Pictured: Curtis Stigers

Jazz singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers kicks off the Jazz Fest week-long midnight-cap.

Throughout the 2012 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, WXXI is pleased to present Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 10th Anniversary Series, airing nightly beginning Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 12 a.m. (midnight of Friday the 22) on WXXI-TV/HD (DT 21.1/cable 1011 and 11). Shot in high-definition at the 2011 Jazz Fest, the series offers an unsurpassed look into one of the most popular and respected jazz festivals in the country and features performances by an eclectic group of musicians including violinist Regina Carter, saxophonist and vocalist Curtis Stigers, pianist Kenny Barron, saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly, Festival producer and saxophonist John Nugent with Strings, and guitarist Kevin Eubanks. In each episode, viewers are guided through the last ten years of the festival with artist interviews, stories from the festival producers, and musical highlights.

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival was founded in 2002 by John Nugent, Co-producer and Artistic Director, and Marc Iacona, Co-producer and Executive Director. From legendary performers and familiar favorites – to rising stars and new discoveries – this Festival navigates all genres of creative improvised music from all corners of the world. Attendance at the Festival has grown each year, from 15,000 the first year to more than 182,000 in year ten – attracting music lovers from around the U.S. and the world.

All six performances featured in the series were shot at in the historic Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music (ESM) – just one of the 18 festival venues located in Rochester’s east end cultural district. Serving as the Festival's documentarian, WXXI captures the essences of this world-class event, and reaffirms Rochester's arts and cultural scene as one of the region's greatest assets.

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 10th Anniversary Series is produced by WXXI Public Broadcasting and distributed nationally by American Public Television. The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 10th Anniversary Seriesis underwritten by The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation. Local broadcast support for the series is provided by Rowe Photo, Video, and Audio.

To see the complete line-up of artists and the airdates, visit: WXXI.org/jazz.