The CGI International Jazz Festival is announcing the first two headliners for the 18th edition of the jazz fest in June of 2019.
They are Rochester’s own Steve Gadd, and ten-time GRAMMY winner George Benson.
Gadd is regarded as one of the most influential drummers in contemporary music and he is also a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.
Gadd and his band will play Friday, June 21 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre at 8pm. Gadd performed at the festival in 2016 in a sold-out performance that was recorded live for a CD that earned a GRAMMY nomination.
Singer and guitarist George Benson will perform Thursday, June 27 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre at 8pm. Benson headlined the jazz festival in 2003, also for a sold-out performance.
Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. at rochesterjazz.com
It was announced last summer that CGI Communications in Rochester will take over next year as title sponsor for the jazz festival. Xerox had been the title sponsor for the last 10 years.
