5th Annual Rochester International Jazz Festival Starts Friday June 9 - 17th

Rochester, New York--June 8, 2006-- The fifth annual Rochester International Jazz Festival presented by Heluva Good Quality Foods, returns to Rochester June 9-17, 2006. Hear all genres of jazz performed by more than 600 of the world's leading musicians from the United States, Brazil, Holland, South Africa, Hungary, Canada, Sweden, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, and Belgium.

Presented in several series - the Senator Jim Alesi Eastman Theatre Series, Club Series, Outdoor Stages and the Rochester Area Community Foundation Museum & Gallery Series - concerts are held in 13 venues in and around the East End Cultural District in Downtown Rochester, NY and include more than 50 free concerts.

Senator Jim Alesi Headliner Series: Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St., individual tickets required. Buy in advance or at the door. All concerts 8 p.m.

June 9- Woody Allen & His New Orleans Jazz Band
June 10- James Brown
June 12- ESM Jazz Scholarships Performance w/Byron Stripling (free)
June 13- An Evening with Phil Woods & Strings “BIRD LIVES!"
June 14- Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner and the McCoy Tyner Trio
June 15- Wayne Shorter Quartet
June 16- Susan Tedeschi Band and Etta James & The Roots Band SOLD OUT!

Explore & Discover Familiar and New Sounds in the Club Pass Series

With 100 plus concerts during nine days at Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School of Music, Robert Mondavi Club Pass Big Tent, Max of Eastman Place, Milestones, Montage Grille, and the Little Theatre, this series features the newest stars such as Sonya Kitchell and Karrin Allyson, an international smorgasbord of talent and the legendary favorites like Mose Allison and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Show times vary. See schedule at www.rochesterjazz.com. First come-first served! Seating not reserved. Access all shows with the Club Pass (SOLD OUT) or $15-25 single entry at the door only (no advance sales for single entry tickets) without Club Pass. Admission not guaranteed even with the Club Pass and shows frequently sell out so arrive early.

More than 50 Free Concerts - Outdoor Stages

For music lovers of all ages. Rain or shine - all free outdoor shows will take place! See www.rochesterjazz.com or brochure for schedule.

Strong Health Jazz Street Stage - Jazz St., 5, 6, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. daily June 9-17

Bank of America East Avenue Stage co-presented by Nextel - East Ave. at Chestnut St., 7 p.m. June 10 & 16, 7 & 9 p.m., June 17, 6, 7:30 & 9 p.m.

Chrysler Performance Area - Jazz Street, variety of entertainment

Free Concerts: Rochester Area Community Foundation Museum & Gallery Series

Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave, 4 p.m., June 9, 10, 11

George Eastman House, 900 East Ave, 4 p.m., June 12, 13, 14

Mary Jemison Riverboat, Corn Hill Landing, Exchange Blvd, 3 p.m., June 15, 16, 17

Where to Buy Tickets: Ticketed show prices range from $15-$95 plus service charge. Purchase tickets in advance for Eastman Theatre headliner shows at the Festival store, 10 Gibbs St. Rochester, NY 14607. Open now through June 8, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; June 9-17: open daily, 10 a.m. to midnight (Service charge is $1 per Eastman ticket). You can also purchase tickets for all Club venues and Eastman Theatre events at the door pending availability.

Make “Jazz Street" Your Destination!

Gibbs Street closes to traffic all nine days June 9-17 from 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. and becomes “Jazz Street." Free concerts nightly starting at 5 p.m. Bring stadium/ folding chairs. Visit the Official Merchandise Store, sponsor kiosks, buy CDs, and get artist autographs. The RIJF Jazz Street Caf offers food service at tables, plus buy food and beverages from many vendors & restaurants on Jazz St. and adjacent streets.

Parking: Park once and walk to most Festival venues. For Festival, park at the East End Garage, 475 Main St. East, Rochester, NY 14604. $2 per car, starting 5:30 PM daily including weekends, (585) 325-7860. For Jam Sessions at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, park in Sister Cities Garage, 8 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614, $4, evenings (after 5:30 p.m.), (585) 423-9837.

Nightly Jam Sessions - Jazz Never Sleeps! Don't miss late night Jam Sessions the State St. Bar & Grill in the Crowne Plaza, official hotel of the Rochester International Jazz Festival. You never know who will stop by to play! 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.

Street Closings

The following streets will be closed to vehicles during the festival:

Gibbs Street, June 8 midnight to June 17 midnight
East from Main to Chestnut June 10, 16 &17 from 8 a.m. to midnight
East from Chestnut to Scio June 10, 16 & 17 from 4 p.m. to midnight