New Inductees Announced by The Whirlwind Rochester Music Hall of Fame
Induction Concert & Ceremony – Sunday, April 26, 2026 | Eastman Theatre | Rochester, NY
Rochester, NY — The Whirlwind Rochester Music Hall of Fame Induction Concert & Ceremony will celebrate artistic excellence, cultural impact, and community legacy at its 13th annual induction concert & ceremony on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7pm at the historic Eastman Theatre—one of the region’s most anticipated arts events.
In addition to previously announced internationally acclaimed actor and singer Taye Diggs and beloved hometown favorites The Skycoasters, this year’s class also honors several influential forces that helped shape the region’s musical story: the historic Pythodd Room, the musical tradition of the Seneca Nation, the renowned La Barbera Brothers, award-winning performer Donna Lynne Champlin, and acclaimed photographer Paul Hoeffler.
The La Barbera Brothers: A Global Jazz Legacy Rooted In Western New York
Pat, John, and Joe La Barbera grew up in Mt. Morris, New York, and became three of the most respected musicians in modern jazz. Over decades of international performance, recording, and teaching, their work has intersected with a remarkable roster of legends including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bill Evans.
Each brother crafted his own career path, and collectively they’ve appeared on more than one hundred recordings and performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Their individual accomplishments include Grammy nomination, a Canadian Juno Award, gold and platinum recordings, and appearances at major festivals and concert halls worldwide.
Beyond the bandstand, all three brothers have also shaped the next generation of musicians through long careers in higher education and broadcasting. Individually accomplished yet forever linked by family and artistry, the La Barbera Brothers represent a rare musical legacy rooted in Western New York and celebrated across the global jazz community.
Music of the Seneca Nation: A Living Indigenous Tradition
By honoring the Music of the Seneca Nation, the Rochester Music Hall of Fame acknowledges that the region’s musical heritage extends far beyond commercial stages — it lives in traditions that have shaped community, resilience, and cultural continuity for centuries.
The music of the Seneca Nation—one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy—is among the oldest and most enduring musical traditions in Western New York. For centuries, Seneca music has served as a powerful expression of cultural identity, spirituality, and community life, closely connected to social dances, ceremonial gatherings, and storytelling traditions.
Traditional Seneca music is primarily vocal and rhythmic. Songs are typically led by a singer playing a water drum and accompanied by singers using horn rattles, creating a distinctive sound that anchors many performances. Within the longhouse tradition, music accompanies seasonal ceremonies that give thanks for elements of the natural world and reaffirm the community’s connection to creation. Social dances such as the Smoke Dance, Round Dance, and Fish Dance bring communities together in celebration.
Passed down orally through generations, Seneca music remains a living tradition today—honoring ancestral knowledge while continuing to be shared through cultural events, festivals, and education. Keeping the tradition alive is the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, NY, which is open to the public. More at Ganondagan.org.
The Pythodd Room: Clarissa Street’s Legendary Jazz Club
One of the most significant jazz venues in mid-20th-century Rochester and a cultural centerpiece of the city’s historic Clarissa Street district in the Third Ward, the Pythodd Room was established in the 1940s and operated by members of the Knights of Pythias. The club reflected the strength of Black entrepreneurship and community life during an era shaped by segregation.
Known for its intimate atmosphere and outstanding acoustics, the Pythodd Room became a key stop on the touring circuit for leading jazz and R&B artists traveling between major cities. Legendary performers including George Benson, Lou Donaldson, Stevie Wonder, and Shirley Scott appeared there, while many Rochester-connected musicians found early opportunities on its stage.
Beyond music, the club served as a vital gathering place for business owners, civic leaders, and families, embodying the cultural vitality of Clarissa Street. Though the Clarissa Street neighborhood was later reshaped by urban renewal initiatives, the Pythodd Room remains a powerful symbol of Rochester’s rich musical and cultural heritage.
Donna Lynne Champlin: Stunning Versatility and Broadway Star
An award-winning actress, singer, dancer, and writer, Donna Lynne Champlin has built a dynamic career across television, film, and the Broadway stage. A Rochester native, Champlin trained locally in dance, piano, flute, and voice before earning recognition as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and later graduating with High Honors from Carnegie Mellon University.
She is widely known for her breakout role as Paula Proctor on the Emmy-winning TV musical Crazy Ex‑Girlfriend, along with standout appearances in Feel the Beat and the Netflix series The Perfect Couple. On Broadway she has appeared in productions including Sweeney Todd, Billy Elliot the Musical, and By Jeeves, while her acclaimed Off-Broadway work earned both an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award.
In addition to her performance career, Champlin directs, writes, teaches master classes nationwide, and performs her one-woman show across the country—continuing to showcase the versatility and artistry that have defined her remarkable career.
Paul Hoeffler: The Visual Voice of Jazz
Beginning in the 1950s, Rochester Institute of Technology–educated photographer Paul Hoeffler documented the vibrant jazz scenes of Rochester as well as iconic venues in New York City, Toronto, and beyond. With instinctive timing and artistic sensitivity, Hoeffler captured intimate, unscripted moments of legendary artists including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Stan Getz, Count Basie, and Dave Brubeck.
He also photographed numerous Rochester Music Hall of Fame inductees, including Ron Carter, Roy McCurdy, and Chuck and Gap Mangione. Often in the right place at the right time, Hoeffler was more than a documentarian — he became an artist in his own right, improvisational and responsive like the musicians he framed through his lens.
In 2001, filmmaker Ken Burns featured Hoeffler’s photographs throughout the PBS documentary Jazz, affirming the national significance of his work. Today, many of his images are preserved in the archives of the University of Rochester, securing his place in the visual history of American music.
Together, the Class of 2026 represents the full spectrum of Rochester’s musical story: global stardom, hometown energy, visual artistry, cultural heritage, and ancestral tradition. The April 26 ceremony promises an unforgettable evening celebrating the power of music to connect generations, cultures, and communities.
For tickets and more information, visit www.rochestermusic.org or follow the Rochester Music Hall of Fame on social media.
Rochester Music Hall of Fame — Contact:
Jack Whittier | Phone: (585) 739-1326 | Email: jackwhit34@gmail.com
