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Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival Wraps Up 11th Edition With 9 Days Of Exceptional Music And Another Attendance Record

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Rochester NY: The record number of fast headliner sell-outs and an earlier than ever sell-out of the Club Pass, were the first signs that the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 11th Edition (XRIJF) was headed toward another amazing musical journey. The nine-day Festival, held June 22-30, presented more than 300 concerts at 18 venues, and drew more than 187,000 people from 30-plus states and 15 countries.

Jazz Street was a sea of smiles as people made it their destination night after night. Venues filled on weekdays and weekends with people anxious to explore the diverse menu of some of the worlds best creative improvised music.

Next years festival will be held June 21-29, 2013, the last week in June.

“I am overjoyed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love from the audience," said John Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director. “Music lifts people up. Our goal was to deliver people to the heights of aural ecstasy and we provided a platform for the artists to do that. The weather was spectacular, and the attendance was what we had expected. It was a huge success and we are so grateful for the outpouring of support."

“Each year we are humbled by the reception that we receive from our community," said Producer and Executive Director Marc Iacona. “This year's festival hit another high note due to the tireless efforts of our team. We are proud that each year the festival creates a $10 million-plus economic impact on the region. That's a cumulative impact of over $100 million since the festival began. The support of our enthusiastic sponsors - government and corporate - has enabled us to deliver programming of a level that Festival Club Pass patrons and attendees have come to expect. This combination is the fuel that will drive our passion to plan, prepare and produce this festival for many years to come. Jazz in June is now synonymous with Rochester, NY. We thank everyone for helping XRIJF 2012 welcome the world to our town!"

Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, Esperanza Spalding, Zappa Plays Zappa, and Daryl Hall “Live From Daryl's House" with special guest Keb' Mo', headlined this year.

Some Highlights of Festival

At the final headliner concert featuring Norah Jones on Friday June 29, Xerox President and CEO Ursula Burns announced that the company would sign on for another three-year term as title sponsor.

The return of Norah Jones and Esperanza Spalding, both of whom made their XRIJF debuts at Max in the Club Series, this year took the stage as headliners.

Just five years ago the Made in the UK Series was launched in Rochester. Now, it is the largest annual festival of UK jazz anywhere in the world.

The addition of Hatch Recital Hall brought another popular new venue to the Club Pass series. The intimate hall became a fast favorite, filling to capacity daily.

In the festivals continuous quest to enhance the patron experience, the introduction of a new e-ticketing system and app for IPhone, were instant successes.

In its fourth year as title sponsor, Xerox offered a number of extremely popular activities for patrons including a Find Your Jazz scavenger hunt, free photo opportunity, complimentary listening stations and an augmented reality app.

Artists traveled from 14 countries including Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Scotland, Ireland, England, Norway, Sierra Leone, Hungary, Cuba, France, Italy and Russia. For many, it was their first visit to the United States.

2012 marked the Festivals 10th consecutive attendance record. In the first year, 2002, attendance was 15,000.

The closing of Main Street each evening made it easier for people spread out and move to and from venues on both sides of the street.

Three shows were filmed at Kilbourn Hall by WXXI TV for national distribution on PBS - Terrence Blanchard, Eliane Elias and Raul Midon. Previous WXXI Productions from the festival are airing nationally in more than 95% of US markets.

This years XRIJF/Eastman School of Music Scholarship was awarded to tenor saxophonist Matthew Sieber-Ford, a senior at School of the Arts and student at the Eastman Community Music School. Since the scholarship was established in 2002, more than $100,000 has been awarded.

Fifteen regional high school jazz bands performed at the festival.

Nightly Jam Sessions at the Rochester Plaza were more popular than ever, drawing many artists, Eastman students and faculty, festival patrons and of course John Nugent.

The annual Kids Jam attracted a record 30 kids from Washington DC, Madison, WI; Atlanta, GA; Pittsburgh, PA; New Hope, PA; Austin, TX and Rochester. Eastman faculty Bob Sneider, Jeff Campbell, Rich Thompson, and graduate student Reuben Allen provided instruction. Sneider, who directed the Jam said, “They played mostly traditional jazz instruments, except for a young ukulele player. Some had no jazz experience, and others had vast experience. It was a nice mix."

Rochester Education Foundations (REF) musical instrument collection also set a record, receiving 22 instruments and many accessories donated during the festival with the promise of more to be delivered afterward. M&T Bank once again donated its booth to REF. “The winner of the survey of Worst of the Worst villains in children's literature was Harry Potters Voldemort," said Pat Braus. REF Executive Director. REF will purchase additional Harry Potter books to distribute to city kids as a result. The winning school in the poll was School of the Arts, so its library will receive a book collection for students to enjoy."

Official Festival merchandise and posters from this year will be added to the online store at rochesterjazz.com in a couple weeks.

Until next year...

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