Al Jardine is a founding member of the Beach Boys, as well as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipient of a Lifetime… Read MoreAl Jardine

Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis is an acclaimed saxophonist and composer who was the architect of James Brown’s era-defining soul classics of the late 1960s, introducing the dynamic arrangements… Read MoreAlfred “Pee Wee” Ellis

Singer/songwriter/guitarist. Bat McGrath has become an admired Nashville songsmith, writing for some of country’s biggest stars including Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd. His rise to fame began in… Read MoreBat McGrath

The colorful and celebrated radio personality has experienced immense success during an on-air career that has spanned nearly four decades. In 2021, Wease became the first-ever Rochester radio… Read MoreBrother Wease (Alan Levin)

Christine Lavin is a contemporary folk singer/songwriter/guitarist/humorist/recording artist based in New York City and Geneva, N.Y. who has been strumming and vocalizing her folksy way around thousands of… Read MoreChristine Lavin

Don Potter was a singer/songwriter/guitarist/record producer. Said to be “the man who created the Judds’ sound,” Don has worked with a host of hit makers including Kenny Chesney,… Read MoreDon Potter

Duke Jupiter is one of the most popular rock bands and recording artists to come out of Rochester — so popular they were banned from performing at city-sponsored… Read MoreDuke Jupiter

The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by philanthropist George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Company, as the first professional school of the University of Rochester.… Read MoreEastman School of Music and Eastman Theatre

Son House was a Delta Blues singer/bottleneck guitar player, circa 1930s, rediscovered in Rochester in 1964. He’s a seminal figure in blues history having influenced generations of blues… Read MoreEddie James “Son” House, Jr.

Ferdinand Jay Smith III (b. 1946) is an Emmy-nominated composer whose music is heard around the world on television networks. His expertise spans film and video animation, directing,… Read MoreFerdinand Jay Smith III

The famed Rochester Red Wings organist has been entertaining fans at Red Wings games since 1977. Fred holds the title of longest-reigning sports organist in U.S. history! His… Read MoreFred Costello

The Tony Award-winning choreographer not only revolutionized modern dance but also Broadway dance with his groundbreaking work on The Lion King. Critics have hailed Garth Fagan as “a… Read MoreGarth Fagan

Gary Lewis (b. July 31, 1936) topped the charts in the 1960s with his band, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, with eight gold singles and 17 Top 40… Read MoreGary Lewis

Gaspare “Gap” Mangione is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader, who was born and raised in Rochester. He has recorded ten solo albums appeared on 6 of… Read MoreGaspare “Gap” Mangione

The Penny Arcade is one of the most revered music clubs in Rochester history, as well as one of the longest-running. Bon Jovi, Iggy Pop, and Joan Jett… Read MoreGreg Sullivan and The Penny Arcade

Henry Juszkiewicz (b. 1953) is chairman and CEO of The Gibson Guitar Corporation, which he acquired in 1986 with his business partners. He has taken the iconic American… Read MoreHenry Juszkiewicz

Jack Allocco is an 11-time Emmy® Award-winning composer, conductor, and songwriter whose career spans television, film, and theater. He is the composer for Sony Pictures Television’s The Young… Read MoreJack Allocco

“Smiling Jack” Palvino had the top rated morning show in Rochester for nearly 20 years on WBBF. As Executive VP of the Lincoln Group, Jack and his partners… Read MoreJack Palvino

James Rado is an actor, playwright, and composer who is best known for his groundbreaking rock-musical Hair. He won the Grammy Award in 1969 for Best Score, alongside… Read MoreJames Rado

Jeffrey Springut is a music promoter whose name is synonymous with his music club, the legendary Red Creek Inn in Henrietta, which he ran for three decades from… Read MoreJeffrey Springut

Joe Beard (b. Feb. 4, 1938) is Rochester’s legendary blues guitarist and vocalist. He has many times toured the United States as well as Europe and has sat… Read MoreJoe Beard

Joe Locke is a renowned vibraphonist who is heralded internationally as one of the major voices of his instrument, earning a top spot on Jazz Week album charts,… Read MoreJoe Locke

John H. Beck (b. 1933) has been a member of the Eastman School of Music faculty since 1959. He received his bachelor’s degree (1955) and master’s degree (1962),… Read MoreJohn H. Beck

Lewis Soloff (1944 to 2015) was an American jazz trumpeter and composer who was an integral member of Blood, Sweat & Tears and the band’s self-titled album that… Read MoreLewis Soloff

This Rochester band is celebrating its 50th anniversary of performing original roots music plus distinct versions of classic reggae songs. The three original members — Ron Stackman, Jim… Read MoreMajestics

Whirlwind Music Distributors has kept the biggest rock tours and major events worldwide wired for 45 years — all from its headquarters in Greece, N.Y. The hometown company,… Read MoreMichael Laiacona

Nathan “Mick” Guzauski is a multi Grammy®-winning mixing engineer and sound engineer who has been personally hand-selected by numerous artists to mix their songs and albums — including… Read MoreMick Guzauski

Nancy Kelly was born in Rochester, N.Y. and grew up in the suburb of Scottsville. She embraced music beginning at the age of four and studied piano, clarinet,… Read MoreNancy Kelly

Nick Nickson, DJ, “The Ole Professor” first on the air in Rochester at WARC in 1947 and then on WBBF until the mid ‘60s when he moved to… Read MoreNick Nickson

The list of artists with whom Roy McCurdy has recorded or toured is a stunning “Who’s Who” — Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Hancock,… Read MoreRoy McCurdy

Samuel Adler (b. March 4, 1928) is the composer of more than 400 published works, including five operas, six symphonies, 12 concerti, nine string quartets, and five oratorios,… Read MoreSamuel Adler

Marino was a revered concert producer, a prolific songwriter, and talented lead guitarist who performed and recorded with heavy-metal bands Anvil and Overkill. Marino passed away unexpectedly on… Read MoreSebastian Marino

The Campbell Brothers (active since 1997) are Chuck, Darick, Phil, and Phil’s son Carlton Campbell. They formed the Rochester-based Campbell Brothers in the 1990s and boldly swung the… Read MoreThe Campbell Brothers

The Dady Brothers were a musical duo who performed professionally — and won the hearts of audiences and fans — for more than 40 years. The music of… Read MoreThe Dady Brothers

The House of Guitars® (aka The Great, Great House of Guitars and “the store that ate my brain”) is considered the world’s largest music store and for 50… Read MoreThe House of Guitars

The Rustix (active 1967 to 1972) was an R&B/blue-eyed soul band based in Rochester that was one of the first rock bands signed by Motown subsidiary Rare Earth… Read MoreThe Rustix

Tony Levin (b. 1946) is a Boston native who started playing upright bass at age 10. He went on to study at Eastman School of Music, where he… Read MoreTony Levin

Tweet is a soulful vocalist and songwriter who has had chart-topping hits. She also has provided backing vocals on recordings for Missy Elliott, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and more.… Read MoreTweet (Charlene Keys)

Uncle Roger McCall (1951-2003) was a late-night DJ at WCMF radio station who for 30 years was affectionately known to his audience as “Uncle Roger.” He had the… Read MoreUncle Roger McCall

WCMF-FM 96.5 is a classic rock Rochester radio station that marks its 50th birthday this year. A pioneer of nationwide stature, WCMF is credited with breaking several rock… Read MoreWCMF-FM 96.5

WDKX radio station has been independently owned and operated since it first went on the air 40 years ago. In keeping with its Urban Contemporary format, founder Andrew… Read MoreWDKX-FM 103.9

Wendy O. Williams (1949-1998) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress who was known as the “Queen of Shock Rock.” While remembered for her stage antics, she is… Read MoreWendy O. Williams

Will Hollis is the long-time music director and keyboardist for the Eagles, as well as music director and arranger for national tours with Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, “America’s… Read MoreWill Hollis

R&B band Wilmer & The Dukes (active 1957 to 1974) hit the national “Billboard Hot 100” in 1968 with the band’s first single “Give Me One More Chance,”… Read MoreWilmer & The Dukes