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Sunday 2:30 – 4:00 | 27 Atkinson Street
Maria Gillard is a talented singer, songwriter, and educator from the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. She has been composing and performing for 25 years. Her compelling voice draws you into the lyrics which, when combined with memorable melodies, head straight for the heart. Her music has been described as soul stirring, evocative, contagious, lively and energizing. She has a down-home flair that makes you feel like you are in her living room – she is that charming, warm and inviting.
As an educator, Maria received a bachelor’s degree in Music from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. She is a music instructor and directs a vocal jazz ensemble at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY. She has worked for the Aesthetic Education Institute as a teaching artist, given concerts and held workshops in schools and nursing homes for many years. She teaches private voice, piano and guitar lessons in her home, and has toured as a folk musician throughout the northeast.
Saturday 11:00 – 12:40 | Avery Mall
What do you get when the women of NY’s top Cajun bands combine their musical talents? C’est Bon Cajun Dance Band: hard-rockin, foot-stompin, girl-powered Cajun dancehall music!
C’est Bon includes the three original Cri de Bayou members, Barbara Sanders on accordion, Jane Delisa and Susi Mills (Bayou Road Krewe) on twin fiddles, Betsy Fuller (All Night Ramblers) on guitar, and Evelyn Schneider (Jesse Lege and Bayou Brew) on bass. These harmonious sisters have been singing and playing Cajun dancehall music to crowds in the northeast for over seventeen years, keeping the spirit alive and well. They’ll rock the house and keep you dancing from start to finish!
Joining C’est Bon for the Corn Hill Arts Festival will be our very special guests Danny Birnbaum on upright bass, and Rochester’s own Paul Mastriani, drummer extraordinaire.
Sunday 1:30 – 2:55 | Gazebo Stage
The Dave Profeta Band delivers some of the finest arrangements of Classic Rock, Blue’s & Pop. This trio features three versatile and experienced musicians whose love of music is evident with every note they play. Often considered to be three of Rochester’s greats, these guys are fully intune with each other. Combined, they have over 150 years of musical experience and it shows!
On stage, Dave Profeta and his guitar mesh to become one powerful unit. Brought up listening to jazz, blues & even classical, Dave was taught by the best, his father, who was a local Rochester Jazz musician. In fact, he has been playing guitar since he was six years old. His influences include Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Eric Johnson, Alan Holdsworth,Mike Landau and many more.
He has played with Masque,Trigger, Subject To Change,Pocket Change, Winelight,& J RABBIT. Currently Dave graces the stage with several bands including D Squared (Duet with Dick Callari) Herb Gross & The Invictas (60′s rock band, song “The Hump” ). Dave will tell you he “loves chord work and gravitates to the melodic,spacious & moody…”
Dave is backed by the strong and steady rhythmic pulse of bassist and vocalist Dick Callari. Starting on drums in ’64,learning bass in 66 and then taking on the guitar in 1967, Dick has been
captivating crowds ever since. Playing with Witches Brew, Wrinkles, Deja Vu, Frontline, Nightstar, Split Decision, Center Stage and Pocket Change. Currently he shares the stage with Dave in D squared, plays with the invictas and the Dave Profeta Band. When it comes to music some of Dick’s favorites include: Fourplay,guitarist Lee Ritenour, bassist Kim Stone (&Spank), and vocalist Maurice White of EWF.
Drawing on years of experience, both on and off the road, Drummer Joe Pizzo, often referred to as Smokin’ Joe, offers his incendiary style and chops so great your ears won’t know what hit them.. A seasoned musician, Joe is a staunch supporter of music in the Rochester area and hosts many of the greatest names Rochester has to offer at his own juke joint, Smokin’ Joe’s Bar & Grill. Ask Joe and he will tell you he has been playing forever!
Dave Profeta believes, “Good or bad, one should recognize an artist by just a few notes !” Well, you will have no problem recognizing the paramount talent propeled thru the music of The Dave Profeta Band!
Sunday 10:45 – 12:15 | Avery Mall
Born September 18, 1967 in “Flower City” Rochester NY, The Birthplace of Jazz luminaries Cab Calloway, PeeWee Ellis, Chuck Mangione and many others. James, or as his friends call him “Jimmie” is a seasoned Jazz musician who began his musical incipiency at the mere age of 7. Jimmie began studying piano, which created an early basis for his song writing in his later years. A music teacher introduced him to the harmonious sound of the saxophone. He began playing the saxophone, shortly thereafter. Recognizing Jimmies promising potential, he was guided to study music at the Hochstein School of Music where he honed his ability to musically shine and stand out from his peers. Jimmie brought that same focus and thirst for music to the High School for Performing Arts where he walked the halls with and befriended other standouts like Motion Picture Actor/TV Star Scott “Taye” Diggs, R&B Singer Charlene “Tweet” Keys and Opera Diva Regina Zona. At School of the Arts, Jimmie was exposed to a musically competitive environment of band competitions, jazz combo performances, composition classes and other competitive solo scenarios. In Jimmies senior year, he auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he played Baritone sax in the Eastman School of Music Jazz Ensemble.
After graduating from High School, Jimmie enlisted in the US Air Force. While stationed in New Jersey, Jimmie found himself in the ideal location to access the New York and Philadelphia jazz scenes. During this time, Jimmie formed a jazz band consisting of musicians from both the US Air Force and Army. The band played at many military events and performed in various countries as part of the entertainment for the International USO Tour and Tops in Blue. In 1992 Jimmie returned to Rochester where he launched his professional music career.
Critically acclaimed saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith has shared the stage with multiple Grammy Award winners, including Najee, Alicia Keys and Wynton Marsalis just too name a few. He has also recorded 5 top selling smooth jazz CD’s and recorded as a sideman musician on several others. Jimmie Highsmith Jr’s sax work represents some of the best in the Smooth Jazz Genre
Saturday 12:15 – 1:45 | 27 Atkinson Street
Steve Lyons has been a local fixture on the Rochester music scene for almost 40 years. His distinctive guitar and vocals have been heard with the bands King Juke and The Enerjets.
Steve can still be found out on the local and regional music scene with Mitty and The Followers, The Legendary Dukes, and as the leader of The Beale Street Blues Band. He has most recently resurrected his solo career after a long 15 year hiatus. Steve’s solo appearances include his original compositions as well as music by John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Johnny Cash and an eclectic mix of songs from his rich history. Steve will make a special guest appearance on Saturday July 9 with Todd East.
Buy a vintage Arts Festival poster. Contact the CHNA office to buy yours today!
