ROCHESTER-MAGAZINE

Our music critics say don't miss these Jazz Fest shows

Our experts name the one show a night they'll make sure to see

Jeff Spevak and Jack Garner
Music critics

We asked our music critics to name the one show a night they wouldn’t want to miss during the nine-day jazz festival. And to round out our lists, we asked for the one show not to miss out of them all.

Youn Sun Nah

Take a look and take note: These need to be on your schedule.

Tierney Sutton | St. Paul & the Broken Bones

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Friday, June 23

Jack Garner: Tierney Sutton // An impressive and talented jazz vocalist: Here’s hoping she’ll include a tune or two from her album of jazz interpretations of Sting songs. 6 and 9 p.m. at Kilbourn Hall.

Jeff Spevak:St. Paul & the Broken Bones // A fabulous free show on the opening night of the fest. Alabama R&B and soul, fronted by Paul Janeway, a Drew Carey lookalike whose stage persona is absolutely magnetic. And the guy can sing. 9 p.m. at East Avenue and Chestnut Street Free Outdoor Stage.

Maceo Parker | Eivor

Saturday, June 24

Jack Garner:Maceo Parker // I don’t do a lot of the big Kodak Hall shows because they’re so time-consuming, but I’m making two exceptions this year. The first is Maceo Parker with the Ray Charles Orchestra and the Raelettes in “To Ray, With Love.” Parker played sax in the James Brown band, but he’s also a first-class interpreter of the late, great Ray Charles. 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. (And you could still duck into Kilbourn at 6 p.m. for the superb pianist Billy Childs and his quartet; also at 9 p.m.)

Jeff Spevak:Eivor // From a Democrat and Chronicle review of her 2012 appearance at jazz fest: “Eivor was quite a presence in a full-sleeve black-leather dress, flowing blonde hair and emoting like an all-reindeer cast of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. She also played a drum that looked as though it had been made from the skin and antlers of some unfortunate creature that stumbled onto their rehearsal/campsite.” She’s also a member of Yggsdrasil, the Faroe Islands band that plays opening night at the Lutheran Church. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Reformation.

Bill Frisell & Thoman Morgan

Sunday, June 25

Jack Garner:Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan // Frisell, here with bassist Morgan, is one of the most distinct, exciting and versatile guitarists currently playing. 6 and 9 p.m. at Kilbourn Hall.

Jeff Spevak:Bill Frisell // They ought to rename this venue Frisell Hall, for as many times as he’s played it at this festival. Must be a half dozen. Yet the astounding guitarist never duplicates. This year, he’s playing in a duo format with cellist Thomas Morgan. 6 and 9 p.m. at Kilbourn Hall.

Miguel Zenon “Tipico” |  Ikonostasis

Monday, June 26

Jack Garner:Miguel Zenon “Tipico” // Zenon is a multiple Grammy nominee and highly regarded Puerto Rican-born saxophonist, working here with his quartet. 6 and 9 p.m. at Kilbourn Hall.

Jeff Spevak:Ikonostasis // Led by Finnish keyboardist Kari Ikonen, who in past appearances here has made forays into the Moog synthesizer (eliciting spooky, wavering electronic tones). Ikonen is no exception to the rule at many of the Nordic Jazz Now shows: A sense of humor pervades. This trio includes American drummer Ra-Kalam Bob Moses and Norwegian saxophonist Ole Mathisen. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Reformation.

Monty Alexander | Charlie Hunter Trio

Tuesday, June 27

Jack Garner:Monty Alexander // The veteran Jamaican pianist is a festival favorite. Whether he’s performing to the reggae rhythms of his homeland or doing straight-ahead bop or swing-era Count Basie riffs, he’s one of the best around. 4 p.m. at the beautiful Lyric Theatre (and later at 6 and 9 p.m. June 28 at Kilbourn Hall).

Jeff Spevak:Charlie Hunter Trio // Hunter is an inventive guitarist because he invents his own guitars. He currently plays a seven-string model, which came about after he took the eighth string off of his last guitar. Simple. His most recent recordings, including 2016’s Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth, shows him moving in a more distortion-blues direction. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Squeezers Stage at Anthology.

Mavis Staples

Wednesday, June 28

Jack Garner:Mavis Staples // My other Kodak Hall headliner exception is the legendary deep soul and gospel vocalist. She’s 77, so I wouldn’t want to pass up this opportunity to see this great legend. 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. (Again, you can also catch George Cables, an inventive improviser and master pianist, at 5:45 in Hatch Hall; also at 7:45.)

Jeff Spevak:Mavis Staples // An iconic gospel and soul voice dating back to the 1960s, when she was the young voice of The Staples Singers, Staples has in recent years been produced by in-demand rock stars such as M. Ward and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Her music is upbeat and sometimes reflects social concerns: “MLK Song,” from her 2016 album Livin’ on a High Note, uses lines from a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

4 by Monk by 4 | The Dustbowl Revival

Thursday, June 29

Jack Garner:4 by Monk by 4 // What an exciting concept. Four great pianists (Kenny Barron, Benny Green, George Cables and Cyril Chestnut) perform in various combinations—and sometimes altogether—to honor Thelonious Monk. It probably takes their 40 fingers to catch up to Monk’s 10! 4 p.m. at Lyric Theatre (and also at 6 and 9 p.m. June 30 at Kilbourn Hall).

Jeff Spevak:The Dustbowl Revival // The name evokes acoustic Americana roots music. But this eight-piece band is evolving into a bigger and more contemporary group, with horns and funk to go alongside its traditional ideas. 6 and 10 p.m. at Montage Music Hall.

LaBarbera Brothers | 4 by Monk by 4

Friday, June 30

Jack Garner:LaBarbera Brothers // Saxophonist Pat, drummer Joe and trumpeter John have become stars separately, but putting these Mt. Morris natives back together will make for a fabulous night. 6 and 10 p.m. at Montage Music Hall.

Jeff Spevak: 4 By Monk by 4 // The music of Thelonius Monk, as interpreted by four contemporary pianists: Kenny Barron, Benny Green, George Cables and Cyrus Chestnut. These guys also play at 4 p.m. June 29 at Lyric Theatre (it might be easier to get into that larger venue). 6 and 9 p.m. at Kilbourn Hall.

John LaBarbera Big Band | Danielle Ponder.

Saturday, July 1

Jack Garner:John LaBarbera Big Band // Yes, the aforementioned brothers are also cornerstones of a band that will celebrate the Buddy Rich centennial. 6 and 9 p.m. at Kilbourn Hall.

Jeff Spevak:Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People // It’s tough to guess what The Hooligans, Bruno Mars’ backing band, will deliver without him, but we know what Ponder will bring in the opening show: an excellent set of soul by a smart, socially conscious local band. Ponder at 7 p.m., Hooligans at 9 p.m., on the City of Rochester Free Outdoor Stage.

Tessa Souter

The one show not to miss

Jack Garner:Tessa Souter // The ethereal vocalist, a hit at previous festivals, is a truly original and artful stylist. She’ll be doing works from a new album, but keep your fingers crossed for her stunning version of “Eleanor Rigby.” 6:30 and 9 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Xerox Auditorium, and 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at Christ Church.

Youn Sun Nah

Jeff Spevak: Youn Sun Nah // Two years ago, everyone at the festival was talking about this act. A native of South Korea who trained as a singer in Paris, Nah is a swooping, operatic, dynamic, wonderfully casual performer of the cosmic lounge genre. Sometimes singing in French but usually in English, Nah writes some of her own music, but she’s more likely to flit from Korean folk to jazzy versions of Tom Waits’ “Jockey Full of Bourbon,” Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” 5:30 and 7:15 p.m., Thursday, June 29, at the Harro East Ballroom.

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Images courtesy of XRIJF.