Frank De Blase:

Tonight I plan on seeing a bunch o' music, like Esperanza Spalding and Madagascar Slim, and Steps Ahead, and Raul Midon. But if i just wind up seeing King Solomon Burke tonight, I'll be all right....

Ron Netsky:

I've got my Jazz Festival program all marked up and I'm ready to make downtown Rochester my second home for the next nine days. I've been careful not to schedule any meetings before 10 a.m. next week so that I can catch late concerts and maybe an occasional jam session. There will be plenty of time to sleep the Sunday after the festival; it's time to savor nine days of great music and a spirit that transforms Rochester into a world-class city.

For me, it starts with a bang. The first concert of the festival's opening night features one of my favorite pianists: Geri Allen.  I'll be in the Kilbourn Hall line early. I'll also catch Solomon Burke and Raul Midon at the Eastman Theatre and I hope to get over to a new RIJF venue, Harro East, for the late Steps Ahead show.

As usual, I have too many things circled on my program. Somehow, I'd love to catch some of Esperanza Spalding, an intriguing newcomer at Max of Eastman Place, and excellent guitarist Jonathan Kriesberg at High Fidelity. I'm not going to say I wish I could be cloned because I actually have a clone (my identical twin brother) and it has never helped me be in two places at the same time. But too many great choices is nothing to complain about.

So, jazz fans: Where are you heading to for Night 1? Post your picks below.