BOP SHOP RECORDS BRINGS TOP TALENT TO TOWN FOR FRINGE

Bop Shop Records announced its lineup today for the 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival. Continuing in its tradition of featuring internationally renowned artists, its Fringe schedule includes masters of jazz, Grammy-winning recording artists, and the last great jazz musician of the Duke Ellington era, Ricky Ford. Bop Shop Records is located at 1460 Monroe Ave. in Rochester.

Bop Shop Records is an independently owned record store that specializes in fine-condition vinyl records and CDs. Owner Tom Kohn, a self-described “record geek,” has made Bop Shop Records what it is since 1982—building its collection and live musician repertoire one record and artist at a time. Tom spent his formative years in the ’70s working for MXR and Rounder Records, as well as furiously collecting and listening to as much recorded and live music as he could. Bop Shop Records has a reputation for hosting extraordinary live performances, and this year’s Fringe lineup is no exception, including:

·   Dave Rivello Ensemble (DRE | RED!)

·   Hank Roberts Trio

·   Kirk Knuffke, Ray Anderson, Harold Danko

·   Ricky Ford Quartet

“Ricky Ford is one of the last great jazz musicians from the Duke Ellington era, and he even toured with the great Charles Mingus in his 20s. He lives in Paris now, but his quartet is full of cool cats from NYC, and all will be at Bop Shop Records during Fringe,” said Kohn. “I just have a passion for sharing music and helping people who are also curious about it. Fringe is a perfect time for people to really enjoy what they love or discover something new...even if it’s from the past. Music is just inspiring and invokes a feeling, a positivity, a vibe.”

Live music performances at Bop Shop Records are akin to experiencing an NPR Tiny Desk Concert up close and personal. Audiences are surrounded by stacks and rows of records and CD, speakers and red velvet curtains, stage lights, promo posters, album covers and music history. 

“We’re a listening room,” said Kohn. “People come here to really hear the notes and the dynamics and feel the music. The acoustics in our space are pretty spectacular and we’ve even recorded live LPs here.”

DRE | RED Sun. Sept. 14 || 8:00 p.m. || Tickets: from $20 || All ages What happens when the 13-member Dave Rivello Ensemble plugs in? DRE I RED! Sharp angles contrasted with smooth textures combined with dynamic solos make for an evening of continuous color. This is an extension of the Dave Rivello Ensemble, which continues to be Dave Rivello's vehicle for his original work and his main orchestral voice. From the beginning, this ensemble has blurred lines, and crossed genres—come get lost in DRE|RED!

Hank Roberts Trio Tue. Sept. 16 || 8:00 p.m. || Tickets: from $20 || All ages Born in Terre Haute, Ind., Roberts first made his name in the 1980s legendary New York downtown scene alongside such frequent collaborators as Bill Frisell, Tim Berne, Marc Ribot and John Zorn, and found a second home at the famed Knitting Factory. Currently a member of Bill Frisell’s group, Harmony, Roberts has been a regular touring partner and recording artist on many of the celebrated guitarist’s projects since 1985, and was featured on Frisell's Grammy award-winning recording, Unspeakable.

Kirk Knuffke, Ray Anderson, Harold DankoMon. Sept. 15 || 8:00 p.m. || Tickets: from $20 || All ages Cornetist Kirk Knuffke blends emotional depth with avant-garde flair, leading 20+ albums and collaborating with top artists like Cécile McLorin Salvant and Mary Halvorson. Pianist Harold Danko, a jazz veteran of 50+ years, has performed with legends from Chet Baker to Gerry Mulligan. Trombonist Ray Anderson brings vibrant creativity to jazz, fusing swing, funk, and free jazz while honoring the instrument’s soulful tradition. Three masters, one unforgettable experience.

Ricky Ford QuartetFri. Sept. 19 || 8:00 p.m. || Tickets: from $30 || All agesTenor saxophonist Ricky Ford studied at the New England Conservatory with Gunther Schuller and Ran Blake. While still in his early 20s, he toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (under Mercer Ellington's leadership) and Charles Mingus. By the 1980s, he was considered one of the leading tenor saxophonists of his generation. He worked with Dannie Richmond's Quintet, Lionel Hampton, Mal Waldron, Beaver Harris and Abdullah Ibrahim’s Ekaya, and also on more than a dozen albums as a leader.