Join WXXI Classical host Mona Seghatoleslami at Granite Mills Park in High Falls for Hochstein at High Falls, a free lunchtime concert series, hosted by WXXI, The Hochstein School, and the High Falls Business Association.
This noontime, lunch hour summer concert series features the sounds of local musicians in the city’s High Falls District. Hochstein at High Falls concerts begin at 12:10 pm on Thursday afternoons at the Granite Mills Park near the Pont de Rennes bridge at 104 Platt Street. Click here for a map.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and lunch, or pick up a lunch at the many area restaurants. Each performance will run approximately 40 minutes. The rain location entrance is at 60 Browns Race, right next to the park. Look for the sign for La Luna; we’ll be in the ballroom.
Please note: This is a live concert series, and will not be broadcast on WXXI radio.
June 9: Womba Africa
Thursday, June 9; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
The eight-member Womba Africa came to the U.S. from Ghana in hopes of competing on “America’s Got Talent” and ended up in Rochester. They have been drumming and dancing, singing, and playing in venues around town – or you might see them playing at the beach or in a park. Their joyful, exuberant music and dance draws an enthusiastic following. The group was founded by Fredrick Quaye Odai with a vision of promoting West African music and culture. The members are part of the Ga Adangbe People in greater Accra, Ghana, a tribe with a very rich and distinct history and culture.
June 16: Debbie Kendrick Project
Thursday, June 16; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
Vocalist Debbie Kendrick is Rochester’s Queen of the Blues, carrying on a tradition of many great blues and gospel artists that goes back to the legendary Son House. Her group has an acoustic vibe and its influences harkens back to the early days of blues, gospel, folk, and jazz music. The Debbie Kendrick Project includes drummer Pete Monacelli, a veteran of the local jazz scene; bassist Mike Patric, who also accompanies the legendary Joe Beard; and guitarist Sean Pfeifer, whose acoustic fingerstyle guitar provides a solid rhythmic background for Debbie’s powerful vocal melodies. She inspires audiences across New York and Canada with her improvisational performances, laughing with the band and chatting with the crowd.
June 23: Ann Mitchell Trio
Thursday, June 23; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
Ann Mitchell Trio entertains listeners with the songbook jazz classics of the 1930s-1950s with an unbeatable heart. Ann is known for her smooth, lively jazz vocal style and energetic performances. Rounding out the trio are pianist John Gabriele and Kyle Vock, bass. Ann Mitchell Trio has had an extensive list of appearances including Jazz 90.1 FM LIVE On Air Concerts, KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, JazzBuffalo, and Fox Rochester’s Good Day Rochester.
June 30: John Dady & Benny Bleu
Thursday, June 30; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
John Dady – one half of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame inductees The Dady Brothers – brings his unique blend of Irish and American folk music back to Hochstein at High Falls. Joining him for this concert will be Benny Bleu, an award-winning banjo player, songwriter, and singer who is also a member of The Brothers Blue and The Crawdiddies. John and Benny have been friends and musical kin for years. Both are songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, so you can expect lots of spontaneous moments of musical magic.
July 14: The White Hots
Thursday, July 14; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
Named for one of Rochester’s gastronomic specialties, The White Hots are a blues, swing, and jazz group who perform everything from mellow instrumental music to swing dances with a full band. Musicians and music critics rave about them, dancers swing to them, and people who just like interesting music love their live shows and CDs. The band includes Tina Albright, vocals; Ted Mosher, bass; Aleksandar Disljenkovic, guitar; and Bill Blind, percussion.
July 21: Watkins & the Rapiers
Thursday, July 21; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
Watkins & the Rapiers play an eclectic mix of acoustic music incorporating echoes of Cajun, country, jug band music, reggae, soul, and swing. The band’s repertoire includes more than 60 quirky original songs written by band members, as well as covers of songs by artists as diverse as The Band, Travelling Wilburys, Steve Earle, and Colorblind James, among others. The band has been rocking out in the Greater Rochester area since January 1996, when the band was formed on a lark to fill an empty performance slot at the Rose & Crown Pub. The band includes Scott Regan, Kerry Regan, Tom Whitmore, Marty York, Steve Piper, and Rick McRae.
July 28: Katie Morey
Thursday, July 28; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
A lifelong steward of the craft of songwriting, Katie Morey (née Preston) grew up on the banks of Lake Ontario and currently resides in Rochester. She and her past projects such as Paul’s Grandfather and Pleistocene have shared bills with artists such as Cursive, Japanese Breakfast, Vagabon, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Brand New, and Screaming Females. Morey’s newest release, an LP titled Friend of a Friend, came out in March 2022. One reviewer said it “showcases the singer’s crystalline vocals, thoughtful lyricism, and sonic arrangements.”
August 4: Mambo Kings
Thursday, August 4; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
Together since 1995, the Mambo Kings are enjoying great success as Upstate New York’s foremost Latin jazz ensemble, and have earned a national reputation for their explosive blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation. They have appeared in Pops concerts with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and with orchestras in Baltimore, Vancouver, Detroit, Dallas, Naples (FL), Portland (OR), Alabama, Chicago, Austin, Virginia, and Buffalo. The band consists of Mambo Kings’ musical director and pianist Richard DeLaney, percussionist Freddy Colón, saxophonist John Viavattine, bassist Hector Diaz, and percussionist Tony Padilla.
August 11: Hanna PK with Johnny Burgin
Thursday, August 11; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
Hanna PK is a blues pianist and singer born and raised in South Korea and based in Rochester. She has been building a strong local following with her wide-ranging repertoire, the power of her voice and piano playing, and the way she can rock the house! For this year’s appearance, she performs with her special guest Johnny Burgin. Johnny grew up in Mississippi and moved to Chicago with a plan to become a writer, only to be swept by the Chicago Blues! There, he developed an authentic blues style by working with legendary artists. Since his debut album with Delmark Records, he has released multiple albums as a leader and sideman; toured the world while hosting a video podcast, “No Border Blues,” which features international blues artists; and teaches guitar on his YouTube channel and online lessons.
August 18: Zahyia
Thursday, August 18; 12:10 pm; Granite Mills Park, Platt/Browns Race, Rochester, NY; free.
A songwriter, lyricist, producer, and creative visionary, Zahyia has dedicated her life to existing in spaces that elevate and change the limited narratives, images, and awareness of what it means to exist as a Black American Woman. With her eclectic background of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, lo-fi hip-hop, music theater, funk, and soul, Zahyia finds ways to push traditional boundaries in the world of music and alternative R&B. She will be joined by her five-piece band.
