Gladys Knight to Headline Rochester Jazz Festival

Legendary singer will perform on second-to-last day of annual event

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Legendary singer Gladys Knight has been announced as the headliner for this year's Rochester International Jazz Festival. The seven-time Grammy winner will take the stage at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets for her performance go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.

Why it matters

The Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the city's biggest annual events, drawing thousands of music fans from around the region. Securing Gladys Knight as a headliner is a major coup that will likely boost attendance and excitement for this year's festival.

The details

This year's jazz festival runs from Friday, June 19 through Saturday, June 27. New this year, club passes will grant access to ten exclusive venues, including the Eastman Theatre, with the last three days remaining ticketed for headlining acts. Trumpeter Chris Botti has also been announced as a headliner, performing on Thursday, June 25.

  • The Rochester International Jazz Festival runs from June 19 to June 27, 2026.
  • Gladys Knight will perform on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 8 p.m.
  • Tickets for Gladys Knight's performance go on sale on Friday, February 28, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The players

Gladys Knight

A legendary R&B and soul singer who has won seven Grammy Awards over the course of her decades-long career.

Rochester International Jazz Festival

An annual music festival held in Rochester, New York that attracts thousands of jazz fans from around the region.

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

A concert hall located on the campus of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York that will host Gladys Knight's performance.

Chris Botti

A renowned American jazz trumpeter who will also perform as a headliner at the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 25, 2026.

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What’s next

Tickets for Gladys Knight's performance at the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 26, 2026 will go on sale this Friday, February 28, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The takeaway

The announcement of Gladys Knight as a headliner for the 2026 Rochester International Jazz Festival is a major coup for the event, which is one of the city's biggest annual attractions. Her performance is sure to be a highlight and draw large crowds to the festival.