VisitRochester President Hopes Jazz Festival Attendance Matches Last Year's Figures ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - The Rochester International Jazz Festival kicks off Friday afternoon in the neighborhood of the Eastman Theatre.

Ed Hall, the President of VisitRochester, says the festival has grown from 15,000 attendees seven years ago to 125,000 people last year. Given the down economy, he's hoping this year's figures match those for 2008. Hall also expects a greater percentage of attendees to come from the region.

Hall says the festival brings in travel writers and meeting planners, and gives Rochester exposure that his organization couldn't afford.

The festival begins at 4:30pm with a free outdoor concert featuring the Gates-Chili and Greece High School Jazz Bands. © Copyright 2009, WXXI