ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jam sessions will start rockin' the city of Rochester Friday evening as the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival gets underway in the east end.

The nine-day festival features more than 1,700 performers from around the world. There will be 300 shows at 19 venues. Many are free of charge and tickets are on sale for the rest.  

This year marks the festival's 20th edition. It has drawn hundreds of thousands of people in previous years from all over the world.

"What's different this year is we are coming back to the Eastman Theatre for some headliner shows," said Executive Director Marc Iacona. "Obviously, Bonnie Raitt on Tuesday is sold out but we still have tickets available for Keb' Mo' on Saturday and tonight Pat Metheny. They're both going to be great shows. You can still come down and get a club pass, buy it right here at the ticket shop. What's a little different is we're modified on Parcel 5 this year. All the free shows start on Wednesday through Saturday, culminating with hometown favorite Trombone Shorty — two shows at 7 o'clock and 9 o'clock on Parcel 5. But then on Jazz Street here, all free shows. Come on down and have a great time."

There will also be food and drink vendors to enjoy.

Guests under 18 years old must be with a parent, guardian or adult, 25 years or older.

The festival runs through July 1.

Full details can be found here.