The music lineup is headed by long-time Rochester resident and world class blues man Gentleman Joe Beard.  Joe’s career took him around the world to play with some of the biggest names in blues like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Ronny Earl, and Matt Guitar Murphy.  He even once lived in Corn Hill next to legendary blues guitarist Son House. In 1996 Joe’s album “Blues Union,” recorded with Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters, was awarded the blues album of year by New Orleans Offbeat magazine.  Joe performed with Ronnie Earl at the world renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. We are fortunate to have this great singer & blues guitarist with us on our 40th anniversary.  Joe Beard & The Blues Union will close out the festival performances at The Gazebo stage on Sunday afternoon at 3:00PM.

 

Big-time fun will be the order of the day with the high energy funk & R&B sounds of Hot Sweets. They play a blend of music ranging from Frank Sinatra to Stevie Wonder, and make everything sound fresh and unique. The amazing vocal styling of Todd East and Jim Richmond’s soulful sax combine with Ralph Ortiz, bass and vocals, David Cohen, drums and vocals and Joe Chiappone, guitarist to tear your heart out or make you jump for joy.  This brilliant act has performed with or shared the stage with super entertainers like The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Doobie Brothers, Earth Wind and Fire, Lynard Skynard, Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons, Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Chuck Berry and B.B. King; the list goes on.  Catch them on the main stage on Saturday at 3:00PM.

 

The Rochester-based, national touring act, Zydeco Vacation, featuring master accordionist Maury Rosenberg will be on the card this year.  Along with members of local & regional favorites Hypnotic Clambake, this high energy act mixes the music of southwestern Louisiana with the island sounds of the Caribbean. The band has shared the stage with many national acts like Buckwheat Zydeco and 2008 Grammy award winner Terrance Simien. Zydeco Vacation will perform at the Gazebo stage on Saturday at 3:45PM.

 

Maury Rosenberg will also appear early on Saturday at the Gazebo with The Mad Tea Party, the highly acclaimed national touring group from North Carolina. The band performs at festivals across the country and features Ami Worthen on the fiddle & Jason Krekel on the acoustic guitar. Their performances have been described as Americana for the modern era. The Mad Tea Party will be with us both days performing Saturday at the Gazebo at 11:35AM and Sunday at Avery Mall at noon.

 

Rosie’s Ready Mix will bring their style of world folk music to the Gazebo stage on Saturday afternoon at 1:40PM.  This band, featuring Curt Osgood on the hammered dulcimer, covers the music of Scotland, Ireland and Canada plus a seasoned mix of Americana music.  Rosie’s Osgood, Grietzer, and MacWilliams bring years of performance experience to the stage.  Each is an award winning instrumentalist.  Their combined voices and musical intuitions blend to present traditional old-time ballads, originals songs, instrumentals, from airs and waltzes to reels and jigs.  All are recording artists, workshop presenters and appear in numerous dance ensemble configurations.  You’ll find their show diverse and engaging. 

 

Howie Lester & Bazaha-lala is another group spending the weekend at the festival.  Howie is a well-traveled professor of Americana and world music. This band’s style of music mixed with Howie’s colorful stories & fiddle playing make this an act not to be missed. They will play on the main stage at 11:20AM on Saturday & then on the Gazebo stage at 11:00AM on Sunday.

 

Jeff Riales, a true balladeer, was the very first act to be featured on WXXI’s Sunday night soundstage show.  For this year’s festival, Jeff will perform solo at 2:00PM Saturday afternoon at Avery Mall and then again on Sunday at 11:30AM with The Flipsiders.  Jeff has an arsenal of original country and folk music that he has written.  A singer and guitar player, Jeff’s work is both articulate and finely tuned.  The Flipsiders is a six piece band that does an open jam session at The Flipside Lounge down on the far east end of East Main Street every Thursday night. The band is made up of some fabulously talented local musicians that include witty guitarist & song writer Jed Curran.  Jeff Riales and The Flipsiders will perform on Sunday at 11:30AM on the Main Stage.

 

Dave Mathews tribute band “Big Eyed Phish” will close the festival at The Main stage on Sunday afternoon, starting at 3:05PM. This band has been met by excellent reviews by the college scene critics. They’re a polished six piece band that bring all of Mathew’s finest tunes to the table.

 

Steve Lyons and The Believers is a three piece classic rock & blues band that includes Smokin Joe Pizzo on percussion and well seasoned bassist Ralph Ortiz.  These guys will make believers out of everyone as they warm up for Joe Beard at 1:10PM Sunday afternoon at The Gazebo stage.

 

By popular demand, Kate Lee and No Strings Attached will return for their third year at the festival.  Kate, a real crowd pleaser, performs a wonderful mix of originals as well as Irish, bluegrass & Americana favorites. She is a young and promising vocalist and fiddle player who is constantly working on something new.  She performs everywhere between Rochester & Nashville. This year Kate will perform at Avery Mall at 11:30AM on Saturday.

 

Russ Roberts and The All Night Ramblers will appear on Sunday afternoon at Avery Mall. This is a five piece acoustic Cajun band that also features fiddler Phil Henrie and will bring a refreshingly authentic taste of Louisiana music to this year’s festival.  Listen to them at 2:30PM Sunday afternoon at Avery Mall.

 

The Red Hot Trio is an acoustic Americana act that features up & coming fiddler Vince Pastore. Vince plays an electric fiddle with a clean crisp sound that crowds love.  The Red Hot Trio plays on the 27 Atkinson Street stage on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Corn Hill Arts festival will once again feature a variety of entertainment for children. This year GARY THE HAPPY PIRATE & YOHO will perform on the main stage. Shows will take place both days from 1:30 until 2:20PM.

 

Also, Roscoe the Court Jester will roam the grounds making balloon characters during both days of the festival. Roscoe can usually be found entertaining near the Gazebo stage.

There will be other children’s activities taking place near the main stage. These activities will be announced in the local paper closer to the start of the festival.

Rounding out this year’s festival line-up is country guitar man Dave Pronko, classical father-son duo “Shared Genes” , youthful guitarist Gabe Condon and Pick 3, and, last but not least, The Flower City Wind Trio, bringing classical music to Avery Mall on Sunday morning at 10:30AM.