Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival

(Rochester, New York) – Pianist, singer, and composer Eliane Elias kicks off a new season of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival series, premiering Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 7 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11). WXXI taped three performances at Kilbourn Hall in June 2012 during the annual jazz festival. The three-part series features performances by Elias, as well as Terence Blanchard Quintet and Raul Midon. Shot in high-definition, Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival offers an unsurpassed look into the jazz festival, which hosts more than 300 concerts at 18 venues, and draws more than 187,000 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.

Episode Descriptions and Airdates:

Eliane Elias airs December 16 at 7 p.m.  In this episode pianist, singer, and composer Eliane Elias shows off her Brazilian roots. Elias and her band bring in the Brazilian culture with their energized and exciting sounds. Honored in the past by Grammy nominations, Elias brings her unique Latin American music to Rochester.

Terence Blanchard airs December 23 at 7 p.m.  Trumpeter and composer, Terence Blanchard performs some of his biggest hits in this episode. Blanchard and his band play jazz that he grew up on in New Orleans. When not on the road, Blanchard serves as Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at University of Southern California. He has been honored with five Grammy Awards and 12 Grammy nominations.

Raul Midon airs December 30 at 7 p.m.  Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Raul Midon plays his soulful music during this episode. The combination of his distinct voice, guitar strumming, and vocal mouth trumpet sounds creates a one-man performance.  Midon has been blind since birth and uses a special home studio to produce tracks and record albums without the aid of a sighted sound engineer.

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.

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

Pictured: Eliane Elias
Credit: WXXI