Press Release: Jay Advertising, Inc.
November 16, 2001
ROCHESTER, NY -- It's official! Rochester New York will host a major new international jazz festival. The weeklong
Rochester International Jazz Festival will premiere June 3-9, 2002. It is being brought to Rochester by NY JAM,
INC., international festival production and management company for some of the world's leading jazz artists.
Organizers expect the Festival to attract thousands of music fans from throughout the world to hear more than 30
stars and talent from each of the world's continents perform.
``This Festival will have something for everyone -- from traditional acoustic jazz, blues, soul, Latin, R &
B, to world music, hip-hop, fusion, big band, and avant-garde,'' said John Nugent, a well-known tenor saxophonist
and founder of NY JAM INC. Nugent is the new Festival's Artistic Director and Producer.
``Our goal is to make the Rochester International Jazz Festival one of the finest jazz and contemporary music events
in the U.S.,'' added Nugent. ``Now that we've made the decision to come to Rochester we are beginning negotiations
with a long list of major international artists,'' said Nugent. ``Over the next few months we will be making regular
announcements on confirmed acts and events. We are seeking the top names nationally and internationally, the best
of local Rochester jazz and blues musicians, and artists deserving wider recognition from New York City and other
Northeastern cities. It will be a great opportunity to discover new talent and enjoy old favorites.''
``As a proud sponsor of the Festival, this summer arts spectacular will be an important new event for the jazz
world and provide a significant contribution to New York tourism and economic growth,'' said Senator Jim Alesi.
``We look forward to this being a highly successful annual event for the Greater Rochester area.''
Rochester was a natural fit for the new Festival for many reasons.
``The Festival offers a great opportunity to further highlight Monroe County's vast arts and cultural background,''
said County Executive Jack Doyle. ``As home to many unique neighborhoods, clubs and other performance venues, this
exciting Festival will allow every corner of our community to gain exposure to an international audience. The hometown
of jazz great Chuck Mangione and the renowned Eastman School of Music will provide a fitting stage for a world-class
event that will shine a spotlight on our area's warm hospitality and enhance our already high quality of life.''
``This will be a signature event for Rochester and will build on our outstanding reputation as a center for music
excellence,'' said William A. Johnson, Jr., Mayor of the City of Rochester. ``We are pleased to have been selected
as the site for this wonderful event and welcome the opportunity to invite artists from around the world to our
City and showcase our music heritage.''
Nugent's first involvement with Rochester came as a visiting artist to The Commission Project, which is headed
by widely respected music educator and musician, Ned Corman.
NY JAM INC. represents many well-known jazz artists and has produced 40 international concert tours for artists
in major performance venues throughout North America, South America, Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia, including
the renowned Stockholm Jazz Festival, which just celebrated its 18th successful year. As a performer, Nugent has
traveled the world with many jazz artists including Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Clark Terry
and The Woody Herman Orchestra and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
Venues
Locations throughout Rochester have been reserved for the numerous planned concerts, performances and workshops
and educational programs. They include the BlueCross Arena, Eastman Theater, Frontier Field, High Falls, George
Eastman House, Strong Museum, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Museum and Science Center, and several East End clubs.
Sponsor Support
Early sponsor supporters of the Festival include Senator Jim Alesi, Monroe County, City of Rochester, Wegmans,
Crowne Plaza Hotels and Simcona Electronics. Official Festival partners are The Commission Project and the Greater
Rochester Visitors Association. Discussions are now underway with several other corporate sponsors.
Multimedia Marketing Effort
Jay Advertising, Inc., an Interpublic Group Company, is the marketing partner for the Festival and is also handling
sponsorship marketing. Jay has decades of event marketing experience and a national reputation for its creative
and production expertise in developing original music.
The Festival will be promoted through a several month multimedia campaign that will run locally, nationally and
internationally. It includes broadcast and print advertising, direct mail, public relations, and a new website,
http://www.rochesterjazz.com, which will feature up-to-date information
on appearing artists and events.
More Information:
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Contact: Kim Osur, Sponsorship Coordinator, 585-218-7715.
Artist Updates, MP3 Files, Festival News:
Visit http://www.rochesterjazz.com and sign up for email news
Images:
Download logos at http://www.rochesterjazz.com
Media:
Contact: Jean Dalmath, 585-586-6650
SOURCE: Jay Advertising, Inc.