Webster Jazz Fest celebrates 20th year with its biggest line-up yet

30 Jul

The 20th annual Webster Jazz Festival is just two weeks away, two days of music, dancing, good food and great friends.

This year’s event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday Aug. 14 and 15, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. Ten different bands are scheduled to perform at ten different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like. The musicians represent some of the best from the Rochester music scene, including some returning favorites and some new faces.

Also that night, the Jazz Festival Street Fair returns with vendors set up up and down West Main.

It’s like enjoying 10 free concerts, and some great shopping, while strolling through the village.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long. Food and drinks will be available from village merchants.

Here’s the line-up for both nights:

Friday, August 14, 2026 — Jazz in the Pubs

  • 5:45 p.m.: Andy Calabrese, Peter Chwazik and Mike Rotondo Trio at The Cobblestone on Main, 108 West Main St.
  • 5:45 p.m.: Mel Henderson and Marvin Dolly, guitarist extraordinaire, at Threads & Tonic, 20 West Main St.
  • 6 p.m.: The Bill Tiberio Band, one of Rochester’s favorites, at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St.
  • 6:15 p.m.: The Jazz Generation Trio (Eli Behlok, Jim Allchin, Don Feigel) at JoJo’s Bistro and Wine Bar, 42 East Main St.
  • 6:15 p.m.: Carlton Wilcox at The Main Dive, 5 West Main St.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Joe Chiappone, Vince Ercolamento and Mark Terranova Trio at Annette’s American Bistro, 27 West Main St.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Gregg Dougherty-Herman with Sheldon Tripi on the Brimont Bistro Patio, 24 West Main St.
  • 6:45 p.m.: Tim Forester, John Nyerges, Dan Vitale Trio, at the Mary Wee Irish Pub, 2 West Main St.
  • 7:45 p.m.: Paradigm Shift at Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, 27 West Main St. (in the back)
  • 8:15 p.m.: Deepak Thettu, with special guests Judah Sealy and many others, at The Coach Sports Bar, 19 West Main St.

Saturday, August 15, 2026 — Jazz in the Street

  • 4 p.m.: Sarah DeValliere and the Rhythmwell
    • Sarah De Vallière & the Rhythmwell have electrified the regional scene with high-energy performances, elite musicianship, and De Vallière’s commanding stage presence.
  • 5:15 p.m.: Todd East and Casino Royale
    • Blind since birth, Todd discovered his passion for music at an early age, playing piano and singing by the age of three. By fifteen, he had already launched his professional career. A native of Marion, New York, Todd went on to earn degrees in Music Education and Music Theory from Nazareth College, further refining his craft and deepening his musical foundation.
  • 6:45 p.m.: Walter Chatman and The Dream Team
    • The Dream Team consists of three bands in one, featuring Judah Sealy on saxophone, Tyrone Coley on bass, Armani Works on keyboard, Walter “Cordell” Chatman on drums, Bacari Smith on saxophone, and Chelse Smith and Lauren Sealy on vocals.
  • 8:30 p.m.: Prime Time Funk
    • NY’s ultimate funk band closes out the festival

The Webster Jazz Festival is an outstanding event that really brings out the best the Village of Webster has to offer. The streets are packed with people, the hanging baskets and planters are in full bloom, and after dark the street is lined with twinkly lights. There’s dancing and drinking and eating, lots of great music, and so much fun for friends and family. Plus there’s no admission.

Plans are still being finalized, but you can stay up to date on them all and read more about 2026 Webster Jazz Festival and the featured bands on the Webster BID website.

* * *

(posted 7/30/2026)

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

Tags: , , ,

Leave a comment