Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Season 6

(Rochester, New York) –  Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet kicks off Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Season 6 on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV. Produced by WXXI, the national series provides jazz lovers a front row seat to one of the most popular and respected jazz festivals in the country. The series offers an unsurpassed look into the 2014 jazz festival, featuring performances by an eclectic group of musicians, which in addition to the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, includes Diane Schuur, Vijay Iyer Trio, and Joey DeFrancesco Trio.

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.

Shot in the historic Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music, the series features four performances and artist interviews.

Episode airdates and descriptions:
Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet airs Thursday, January 8 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV
The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet plays tunes off of their album The 21st Century Trad Band during this episode of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. Jason Marsalis shows off his skills on the vibraphone and talks about how he was drawn towards playing it.

Diane Schuur airs Thursday, January 15 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV
Grammy® Award-winning vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur inspires the audience with this performance from the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.  Schuur performs music off her album I Remember You (With Love To Stan and Frank).

Vijay Iyer Trio airs Thursday, January 22 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV
Musician, composer, and producer Vijay Iyer returns home to Rochester, New York during this episode of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival; and shows us why he is hailed as one of jazz’s great young musicians leading the way. He will be playing some of his newer music along with some of his other favorites.

Joey DeFrancesco Trio airs Thursday, January 29 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV
Grammy-nominated musician Joey DeFrancesco will get you groovin’ as he gives an energizing performance on his organ. DeFrancesco signed his first record deal when he was just 16 years old and has released more than 30 albums, including recordings with Miles Davis and Jimmy Smith.

The series, distributed by American Public Television, is supported in part by The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation. For more information, visit WXXI.org/jazz.

Pictured: Jason Marsalis
Credit: WXXI