Geneva — 20 concerts, 9 venues, 4 days, 1 city.
That's the tagline for the second annual Rocco Scott Ruffalo Geneva Jazz Festival 2024, which Michael Gonzalez and the Finger Lakes Independent Music Association are hosting the weekend before the eclipse.
The festival itself is the brainchild of Gonzalez, a local musician, and Janelle Bradshaw, a trumpet player who runs the blog FLXMusic247.com. Gonzalez said it was a tribute to the late Ruffalo, who grew up in Geneva and became an accomplished double bass player. He was 25 years old when he died in an accident in 1961. Despite his short career, he was one of the most influential jazz bassists in American history, ranking 16th on the music show. bass player Magazine's Top 100 Bassists of All Time.
There are a variety of venues, many of which have free admission. However, some of the festival's bigger shows, all scheduled at Club 86, will have an admission fee, Gonzalez said. You will receive performer tabs at all venues. The event in general also has sponsors, including several other local businesses.
Gonzalez said Club 86 is a key sponsor of this year's jazz festival. One of his highlights is Sam's tribute to Venuti, who was a central figure in piano playing in Geneva and was the house pianist at Club 86 in its heyday.
“He was the father of the Venuti family and played with all the big jazz players that came to Club 86, including Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton,” Gonzalez said.
That show will be April 5 at 5 p.m. and will feature his son's band, the Steve Venuti Quartet.
Ticketed concerts at Club 86 include:
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- Thursday — Encyclopedia of Soul with Ellen Pieroni, 4 p.m. Vanessa Vacanti, 6 p.m. MG3 Organ Trio featuring Melissa Gardiner, 8 p.m.
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- Friday – Venuti Tribute, 5 p.m.Mike Melito Quartet, 8 p.m.
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- Saturday — Banjo Juice Jazz Band featuring Tyler Westcott, 3 p.m.Bill Tiberio Sextet, 8 p.m.
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- Sunday — Nancy Kelly Quartet, 3 p.m.Pickle Mafia, 6 p.m.
Festival passes for all nine of these shows cost $75 (not including service charge), and tickets for each show can be purchased separately. To purchase tickets, visit https://genevajazzfestival.com/venues.
Other venues hosting Jazz Festival performances include Brewery Ardennes, Big aLICe Brewing, Geneva on the Lake, Ravines Wine Cellars, Ventosa Vineyards, Watershed Brewing Company, White Springs Winery, and Zugibe Vineyards. All concerts at these locations are free.
Some of the artists performing: Rian Johnson Duo (White Springs); Mike Tittlebaum Quartet (Lovins). Evan Dobbins Trio (Geneva on the Lake). Craig Snyder Group (Watershed). Anna Wells Trio (Ventosa). Dave Sollazzo (Ardennes); Tony and Giancarlo (Big aLICe), Joe Lofaro (Zugibe).
For the full four-day schedule, visit https://genevajazzfestival.com/schedule/.
FLIMA's goal is to provide a place for musicians in the greater Finger Lakes region to network, collaborate and advocate for each other, Gonzalez said. They meet regularly on Tuesday nights at the Twisted Rails on Exchange Street.
“It's community music. Sometimes we have singing circles, sometimes we have jazz nights, but it just gives us a chance to be in the room together,” Gonzalez said. “We also want people to take a peek at what goes on behind the curtain. We want to see them bagging leaves and buying groceries. Not only do we make music and write songs, but we're also parents.”
The Geneva Jazz Festival is important because it brings people together from all over the world, especially this year in the lead up to the solar eclipse on April 8th, and at the same time allows people to experience great local music.
“There are no slouches in the lineup,” Gonzalez declared. “They're all talented, high-level musicians. You won't fall asleep listening to them.”