The summer concert season forecast includes a Norah Jones Confluence for western New York. The Rochester area will have two opportunities to see the jazzy pop singer this summer, in different configurations.
And as they’re potentially competing for the same audience, the promoters of both events aren’t giving the other a jump start on tickets; both shows go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
On Tuesday, the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival announced that Puss N Boots, the alt-country band featuring Jones, Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper, was one of two new shows being added to the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre lineup. Puss N Boots plays 8 p.m. June 19.
On Wednesday, the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center announced it has booked a show featuring Jones and the R&B and soul icon Mavis Staples for 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the outdoor venue near Canandaigua.
Also in the jazz fest’s Tuesday announcement is an addition of an 8 p.m. June 20 country concert with Wynonna & the Big Noise. Opening that show is the Country Tribute Celebration, with musicians performing the songs of Tim McGraw, Eric Church and Jason Aldean.
While Jones has the headliner credentials, the other two members of Puss N Boots are quietly well-established. Dobson has released four albums of her own. Popper has played and recorded with Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, Mike Doughty and Jack White. As Puss N Boots, all three women play guitar, while Dobson has also played drums and Popper pedal steel guitar at shows. The trio has released two full-length albums and an EP of Christmas music.
The two new Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre concerts at the jazz fest, which runs from June 19 through June 27 in and around the East End District, join previously announced shows at Kodak Hall with Nile Rodgers and Chic (June 26), Spyro Gyra (June 23), and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Garth Fagan Dance in Rochester, with jazz pianist Monty Alexander (June 24). All three of those concerts are already on sale.
The full jazz fest lineup of Club Pass and free shows will be announced March 17.
Ticket prices for the appearance by Jones and Staples at CMAC have not yet been announced, but will be available at ticketmaster.com. Tickets for Puss N Boots (ranging from $33 to $83, plus service charges) and Wynonna (ranging from $33 to $73, plus service charges) will be available at rochesterjazz.com and (585) 454-2060.
Jeff Spevak is WXXI’s Arts & Life editor and reporter. He can be reached at jspevak@wxxi.org.
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