The 15th edition of Rochester Jazz Festival, which runs over nine days and nights from 24 June to 2 July, once again features a strong Made in the UK series with a wide range of British artists performing each night at the city’s Christ Church, located at East Avenue, New York. Among the nine selected artists are three that have benefitted from funding by the PRS Foundation International Showcase Fund and include pianist Alexander Hawkins, who won Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in May, as well as two Manchester-based artists in the form of Indo-jazz-meets-beats trio Mammal Hands and trumpeter Matthew Halsall, who appears with his spiritual jazz troupe the Gondwana Orchestra.

Other UK names performing include acclaimed guitarist Phil Robson and his partner/singer Christine Tobin, who have both moved to the Big Apple in the last year. Singers Lorna Reid, Lleuwen Steffan and Gwyneth Herbert are also featured on the programme as well as pianist/singer Oli Rockberger who’s known for both his jazz-informed singer songwriter work as well as his cutting edge electronic trio Mister Barrington.

Each artist performs two sets per night at 6.45pm and 8.45pm – the line up is as follows: Lorna Reid (24 Jun); Phil Robson Trio (25 June); Alexander Hawkins Group (26 June); Gwyneth Herbert (27 June); Christine Tobin (28 June); Mammal Hands (29 June); Lleuwen Steffan (30 June); Matthew Halsall & the Gondwana Orchestra (1 July) and Oli Rockberger (2 July).

– Mike Flynn

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