Jazz Festival gives a boost to Rochester economy ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Gibbs Street in downtown Rochester will be Jazz Street for the next nine-days, now that the Rochester International Jazz Festival is officially underway.

An estimated 80-thousand people showed up for last year's event, and this year's festival is expected to attract even more.

Ed Hall is President of the Greater Rochester Visitors Association. He says the festival has a wide-ranging impact on the local hospitality industry. Though no figures are currently available, Hall says restaurants and hotels are reporting indications of good business surrounding the festival.

Hall says the festival also gives Rochester invaluable national press coverage.

Some 600 musicians will be performing in more than 220 concerts over the nine days of the festival. © Copyright 2010, WXXI