Woody Allen to Open Rochester International Jazz Festival June 9th in Exclusive Benefit Concert

Woody Allen to Open Rochester International Jazz Festival June 9th in Exclusive Benefit Concert

Tickets on Sale March 10 for Rare U.S. Performance

Proceeds Benefit New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund

ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- In its first U.S. tour performance, Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band will open the fifth annual Rochester International Jazz Festival (www.rochesterjazz.com) in an exclusive benefit concert June 9th at 8 p.m. at the Eastman Theatre.

Proceeds will benefit the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Tickets for this concert only go on sale Friday March 10th at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $50 to $95 plus service charges.

"This historic performance on opening night is a celebration of Woody's love for American jazz and of where this art form was born and that's New Orleans," said John Nugent, Producer and Artistic Director for the Rochester International Jazz Festival. "We feel very fortunate to have been selected as the festival at which he has chosen to appear."

The Rochester International Jazz Festival presented by Heluva Good Quality Foods runs June 9-17 and will feature more than 100 concerts and 500 musicians at multiple venues. The full artist lineup and schedule for the Club Pass Series, Senator Jim Alesi Eastman Theatre series, and free concerts on outdoor stages will be announced April 6. The Club Pass, offering unlimited access to all Club events is on sale now. All other tickets go on sale April 7.

"As a fan of Woody Allen films for many years I have always admired the soundtracks, which have always featured jazz. After seeing "Wild Man Blues" (1998), I knew I had to do something to present this legendary filmmaker and musician," noted Nugent.

"The past year has dealt devastation to New Orleans. In addition to this spectacular opening night concert with Woody Allen, this year's Festival will feature many New Orleans groups, which we hope will be a fitting tribute to the musical gifts of that great city."

Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band has been performing for almost 25 years. Usually playing in Europe and at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City, this concert marks a rare performance in a large U.S. venue.

In addition to Allen on clarinet, band members include Simon Wettenhall (trumpet), Jerry Zigmont (trombone), Cynthia Sayer (piano), Director - Eddy Davis (banjo), Conal Fowlkes (string bass), and Rob Garcia (drums).

Founded in 2002, the Rochester International Jazz Festival has become one of nation's largest and fastest growing music festivals, drawing fans from across the U.S. and around the world. 2005 attendance topped 65,000. Annually the Festival presents more than 100 concerts featuring a diverse and international lineup of legendary Grammy award-winning artists and critically- acclaimed jazz and contemporary groups.

For Festival details and information on the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund see www.rochesterjazz.com.

Source: Rochester International Jazz Festival

CONTACT: Jean Dalmath of Dalmath Associates Inc., +1-585-586-6650, fax,
+1-585-586-6513, jean@rochesterjazz.com

Web site: http://www.rochesterjazz.com/

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