Rochester Jazz Festival

[Lois Gilbert]

Nine days of jazz, 100 concerts, in 10 different venues featuring well known names; in just a few days, the 4th Annual Rochester International Jazz Festival begins.


Festival Artistic Director John Nugent said, "We're psyched--we've got a stellar lineup, the New York Times says it's as solid as anything in San Francisco or Newport."

People come from all over the country--all over the world-- to hear what Rochester has to offer. Last year, 55,000 people attended from 26 states and other countries. Already this year, people from Australia, Japan, England, and France have ordered tickets.

It's estimated that last year visitors added $10 million to the Rochester economy. But, that's nothing compared to what festival organizers hope to see down the road.

Nugent said, "Well they've got to stay somewhere unless they've got family here and they've got to eat somewhere, unless they bring their barbeque and tailgate. It means economic impact."

Nugent is modeling the festival after the Montreal Jazz Fest which brings in one million people every year.

"I want to see this eventl cause a new hotel downtown. I want to see it cause the infrastructure of the city be repaired because of this festival…we want people to come here from Boise Idaho or Sarasota, Florida, or Lubbock, Texas and say 'We're going to Rochester because they've got a hell of a jazz festival there every June," he said.

TC Pellett of the Greater Rochester Visitors Association, "When they see something of this value on a national and international level they say, 'Wow, Rochester must be a great enough place to attract this kind of attention.'"

Each year jazz festival organizers survey visitors about where they're coming from, why they came, and what they think of the festival. This year, the survey will include more questions about where they're spending their money to better assess the economic impact of the festival.