Music Blog

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival announced today that Club Passes for its 2016 festival will go on sale Friday, October 23, at 10 a.m. New to this year, the festival's 15th edition, will be two Club Pass options: the traditional 9-day pass and a new 3-day pass.

As in past years, the Club Pass offers free admission to any events at Club Pass venues during the festival, but there’s no reserved seating or guaranteed entry. The new 3-day Club Pass will offer patrons the opportunity to use the pass for unlimited access to shows on any three days of their choice during the festival.

The 9-day Club Pass early-bird price remains the same as last year, at $174 plus $6 service charge ($8 if mailed). This 9-day early-bird pass rate is good until midnight, December 31. Prices will increase to $204 plus service charge on January 1, 2016.

The new 3-day Club Pass early-bird price is $134 plus $6 service charge ($8 if mailed), until midnight, December 31. The pass increases to $154 plus $6 service charge on January 1, 2016. Only a limited number of 3-day Club Passes will be sold.

Also, admission to Club Pass shows will increase. Single entry without a 3-day or 9-day Club Pass will now be $30 cash at the door for all venues, and $35 at Kilbourn Hall. This is the first increase in admission prices at the door in eight years.

The festival is testing out a new wristband system at Kilbourn Hall and Max, too. Rather than having to wait in line -- a growing problem in recent years -- concert attendees at those venues will be given a wristband. More details are expected as the festival approaches.

Other changes coming to the 2016 Jazz Festival will include:

-- The Squeezers Stage, which was in the Sibley Building in 2015, will relocate to the Anthology space at 336 East Avenue. There will be sets at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

-- A new "Oh, Canada" series will present emerging Canadian musicians at the Rochester Club at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

-- Kilbourn Hall show times will be at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The 2016 festival will be held from June 24 to July 2. The full lineup will be announced in late March 2016. Club Passes can be purchased online at rochesterjazz.com, or by phone at 454-2060. For complete details on the Club Pass and other Jazz Festival news, see rochesterjazz.com/php/ticket_info.php.