Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest: Jeff Johnston & Friends

Pictured: Jeff Johnson

Credit: WXXI

Enjoy this performance by jazz pianist Jeff Johnston, whose works are infused with alluring harmonies, lush textures, rhythmic inventiveness and spontaneity.

The 2016 edition of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival series brings viewers the Jazz Fest's "Oh, Canada!" series shot at The Rochester Club featuring bands and performers from across Canada. In this episode of Season 8 of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival series, premiering Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 4 p.m. on WXXI-TV enjoy a performance by Jeff Johnston &  Friends. The "Oh Canada!" series was presented by The Canada Council for the Arts. 

Jeff Johnston is a Canadian based composer of music for film and media. Chuck Berg of "Jazz Times Magazine" wrote "This is music, that while at the contemporary cutting edge, is both immediately and immensely satisfying." Johnston's trio and quartet recordings established him as a respected pianist and composer leading the "Globe and Mail's" Mark Miller to say "This is Canadian jazz at its best.” 

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, held in Rochester, New York – home of the Eastman School of Music, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Garth Fagan Dance and the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film– is a nine-day event that hosts more than 300 concerts at 19 venues. Now in its 13th year, the festival is the brainchild of John Nugent and Marc Iacona and draws more than 190,000 people from 30-plus states and 15 countries. 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.

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival Series is produced by WXXI Public Broadcasting and distributed nationally by American Public Television. The series is underwritten by The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation.