RCAF is proud to present our annual fundraising concert series which is one of the most diverse in the rochester region. This world-class concert series hosts some of the world's leading performers in jazz, rock, pop, ethnic, and new music. All proceeds from this series go to support all of RCAF's charitable activities; which include scholarships for students of Rochester Contemporary School of Music, grants for public/private/charter schools, and grants for professional artists.

Described as being “at the very epicenter of modern American music” (BBC), Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 35 years and over 250 recordings, including 40 albums of his own.  He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, filmmakers and legendary musicians, but it is his work as a leader that has garnered increasing attention and accolades.  

Frisell’s recording catalog, has been cited by Downbeat as “the best recorded output of the decade.”  It includes his most recent albums for Savoy - Sign of Life with the 858 Quartet, his trio recording Beautiful Dreamers and his new collection of interpretations of the music of John Lennon, entitled All We Are Saying.  

Frisell’s Nonesuch output spans a wide ranging wellspring of musical expression - from original Buster Keaton film scores to arrangements of music for extended ensembles with horns and strings (the grammy nominated History/Mystery, the grammy-winning Unspeakable, Blues Dream and This Land); interpretations of work by other classic and contemporary American composers (Have a Little Faith); collaborations with the acclaimed rhythm section of bassist Viktor Krauss and drummer Jim Keltner (Gone, Just Like a Train, Good Dog, Happy Man).  Other releases include an album with Nashville musicians (Nashville), the solo album Ghost Town, an album of Frisell’s arrangements of songs by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach (The Sweetest Punch), two trio albums with jazz legends – Dave Holland/Elvin Jones and Ron Carter/Paul Motian; and a collection of traditional American folk songs and original compositions inspired by them, entitled The Willies. The grammy nominated The Intercontinentals is an album that combines Frisell’s own brand of American roots music with the influences of Brazilian, Greek, and Malian sounds. His album, Disfarmer, was inspired by the work of the mid-century rural Arkansas photographer Mike Disfarmer.  

Floratone II  is Frisell’s newest offering released in March, 2012, with the cooperative group of the same name featuring collaborators Matt Chamberlain, Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine.  Their debut album was described as a “studio-collaged musical masterpiece” – (Guitar Player) and “some of the most riveting music to emerge this year.” – NPR.

In 2006, Frisell was named a USA Rasmuson Fellow grant recipient offered by United States Artists.  He is also a recipient of grants from Meet the Composer and National Performance Network.

Recognized as one of America’s 21 most vital and productive performing artists, Frisell was identified as an inaugural Doris Duke Artist in April 2012.

“After decades of trodding such a brave and singular path, maybe Frisell deserves his own genre.  How about ‘friz’?” Financial Times (London)

CONCERT INFO
VENUE: Water Street Music Hall 
             204 North Water Street  
             Rochester, NY 14604
             585.325.5600
CONCERT TIME: 7:00pm (doors - 6:30pm), "Meet & Greet" reception for VIP ticket holders after the show, doors open at 5:45pm
TICKET INFO: Advance Sales:$35 - General; $45 - VIP (preferred seating, "meet & greet")
                          *At the Door: $45 - General; $55 - VIP
TICKET OUTLETS: BrownPaperTickets.com (ONLINE); Bop Shop & Record Archive (LOCALLY)

*NOTE - Seating is available for this show!
-VIP TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT FOR THIS SHOW!-

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Musical ambassador and interpreter of America’s music, Wycliffe Gordon experiences an impressive career touring the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz receiving great acclaim from audiences and critics alike. His unmatched modern mastery of the plunger mute and his exceptional technique and signature sound, has solidified Gordon a place in musical history known as one of the top trombonists of his generation. The Critics seem to agree. Wycliffe has been named “Best in Trombone” by the Downbeat Critics Poll for 2012 and Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” again this year in 2012 as well as previous years 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011. He is a past recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Vanguard Award, among others. 

In addition to an extremely successful solo career, Gordon tours regularly leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues and performing arts centers throughout the world. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" Series. Gordonʼs extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present. His “Jazz a la Carte” show, which debuted at the Apollo Theater last year, was named one of the “top five best moments in jazz” for the year 2011 by The Wall Street Journal.