Rochester’s music roots run deep. From jazz legends and classical mavens to indie rockers and an impressive underground hip-hop scene, Rochester has produced a remarkable lineup of musical talent. The city’s creative energy, collectively fueled by the world-class Eastman School of Music and a thriving local scene, has inspired generations of performers across every genre. Venues of yesteryear such as The Pythodd Club, Red Creek Inn and the Penny Arcade welcomed hundreds of artists across jazz and rock, and today’s mainstays including Water Street Music Hall, the Theater at Innovation Square and more keep that legacy alive. We’ve curated a playlist featuring artists with deep ties to Rochester, so you can hear the city’s vibrant spirit wherever you are. Press play and discover the soundtrack of the Flower City.  Note: Though Rochester is known for being a very family-friendly city, some of these tunes are not intended for little listening ears. 

Listen to the playlist on Spotify, or see the full list below. 

  1. “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon Steve Gadd (Drummer Steve Gadd was born in Rochester) 

  1. "Adagio for Strings" – Samuel Barber (Eastman Connection) 
    (Though not from Rochester, Barber studied and taught at Eastman—a nod to its legacy) 

  1. "Ain’t No Sunshine" – Joe Locke 
    (Renowned jazz vibraphonist, born in Palo Alto but raised and musically shaped in Rochester) 

  1. “At Last I’m Coming Home” – Jeff Tyzik (Tyzik is an alum of the Eastman School of Music and has served as the Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra since 1994) 

  1. “Cold Sweat” – James Brown (co-written by Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, saxophonist, composer and arranger who graduated from Madison High School and spent his early years playing the Pythodd Club) 

  1. "Feels So Good" – Chuck Mangione 
    (Legendary flugelhorn player and composer, born and raised in Rochester, Eastman alum) 

  1. “Help Me, Rhonda” – The Beach Boys (Al Jardine, co-founder of the Beach Boys and lead vocalist on this song, spent his childhood in Rochester). 

  1. “Here Come the Red Wings” – Fred Costello (Organist of the Rochester Red Wings, Costello holds the title of longest-reigning sports organist in U.S. history) 

  1. "How It Ends" – DeVotchKa (Nick Urata’s band; violinist Tom Hagerman is from Rochester) 

  1. “I’ll Drink to You” – Duke Jupiter (Rochester-based rock band active in the 1970’s and 1980’s) 

  1. “Juke Box Hero” – Foreigner (Lead singer of Foreigner, Lou Gramm was born in and still resides in Rochester)  

  1. "Maputo" – Bob James & David Sanborn 
    (Bob James, Grammy-winning jazz keyboardist and producer, studied at Eastman School of Music) 

  1. “Minnie the Moocher” – Cab Calloway (born in Rochester, NY, Calloway’s achievements include being the first African-American musician to sell 1 million copies of a record and also reached the Billboard charts in five consecutive decades 1930’s-1970’s) 

  1. "Obsession" – Joywave 
    (Indie rock band formed in Rochester; known for electronic-infused alt rock) 

  1. “Ol’ Man River” – William Warfield (alum of Eastman School of Music with Bachelors in 1942 and Masters in 1946) 

  1. “Oops (Oh My)” – Tweet (born in Rochester, NY, Tweet has released her own music in addition to contributing or being featured on albums from artists including Missy Elliott, Ja Rule, Bubba Sparxxx, Timbaland, and more.) 

  1. “Poetry is Dead” Eto ft. Futurewave. (Eto is a Rochester-born rapper and has played a significant role in the underground hip hop scene for more than two decades). 

  1. “Preachin’ Blues” – Son House (one of the most heralded figures of the 1960’s blues revival, House had retired from music in 1943 and moved to Rochester where he worked as a railroad porter before being “rediscovered” in 1964) 

  1. “Some Kind of Wonderful” – Soul Brothers Six (an American rhythm and blues band formed in Rochester, New York, during the mid-1960s, the song was later recorded by Grand Funk Railroad) 

  1. "Some of Us Are Brave" – Danielle Ponder 
    (Powerful vocalist and former public defender from Rochester; rising neo-soul star. Title track from her debut solo album—emotive, empowering, and 100% Roc) 

  1. "Spring Fever” – Gap Mangione, Chuck Mangione 
    (Chuck’s brother, accomplished jazz pianist and Rochester music staple) 

  1. “Virtual Reality” KOPPS- (Another local band—KOPPS is also Rochester-based and known for edgy electro-pop) 

  1. “Whiplash” – Metallica (Metallica’s debut album “Kill Em All” was recorded in Rochester, NY at Music America Studios) 

  1. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Renee Fleming