The first weekend of December 2018 saw the beginning of holiday jazz music throughout the Greater Buffalo region. There were five scheduled events plus more for holiday jazz enthusiast to enjoy. If you missed them, do not despair.
Coinciding with the resurgent availability of jazz in our city, primarily because of the support of audiences like you, there is more holiday jazz available than in many years. Sprinkled throughout the area, are some free events for the family, homecomings, as well as, special holiday jazz concerts.
Here is the JazzBuffalo Guide of Holiday Christmas Jazz and three New Year’s Eve Events for you to enjoy this Christmas season. Click on “find out more” for each event you would like more information on:
Big Band Christmas Jazz with the Alex René Big Band at Boulevard Mall
Join the Alex René Big Band at the Boulevard Mall for a free big band Christmas Jazz concert. On Tuesday, December 4th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The Alex René Big Band is an18 piece big band featuring music done in the style of the Golden Age of Big Bands.
Home for the Holidays with the Kristen Smigielski Combo
The Kristen Smigielski Combo is returning to Pausa Art House for a festive Holiday themed show! Kristen Smigielski will be joined by special guest vocalist Steve Balesteri, along with Jon Rizzo (piano), James Benders (bass), and John Smigielski (drums).
Dance the Night Away with The Anderson Big Band Christmas Dinner Dance
Swing into the Holidays! 
The 4th Annual Anderson Big Band Dinner Dance is Saturday, December 8th! For tickets & more info call: 716-560-3910 or email andersonbigband@gmail.com! Join us for: • Dinner includes: salad, roll, stuffed chicken breast, garlic roasted potatoes, vegetables & dessert brownie • Enjoy dancing to the music of the last 70 years: Big Band, Popular Music, Latin, and Disco! • Cash Bar • Tickets: $35
Charlie Brown Christmas with Ed Croft Trio
The Buffalo-based jazz band The Ed Croft Trio will recreate the magical holiday album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio at a special show at Pausa Art House.
Hotel Henry Holiday Market Jazz Brunch
An immersive holiday experience in one of TIME’s Greatest Places of 2018. Hotel Henry’s Holiday Market welcomes the community to explore the vast spaces of Buffalo’s iconic National Historic Landmark while perusing local shops and vendors and sipping mimosas, seasonal cocktails, and espresso drinks. Hotel Henry’s Holiday Market is free and open to the public. HOLIDAY BRUNCH & MARKET DATES November 25, December 2, December 9, December 16, December 23 JazzBuffalo is partnering with the Hotel Henry to provide music…
JazzBrunch Sundays at the Terrace at Delaware Park
Holiday and Christmas Jazz: Sunday, December 9th: Adam Bronstein Duo Sunday, December 16th: Maria Sebastion and Ron Davis Sunday, December 23rd: Mary McMahon Project JazzBuffalo is proud to announce a partnership with The Terrace at Delaware Park to provide high-quality jazz music for Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Terrace’s historic location at Marcy Casino. The Terrace is located on the upper level of the Delaware Park Lake casino and is located across from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. JazzBrunch Sundays at the Terrace…
Jingle Bell Jazz II at The Tralf
The Buffalo Dolls and Ladies First Jazz Holiday Concert at the Tralf Music Hall. Family friendly event! Parental supervision required for children attending under 21 Tickets on sale! Follow the link or contact any member of The Buffalo Dolls, Ladies First Jazz or Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight. Tickets: $20 Presale. $25 Day of Show Food and drink available for sale at The Tralf. Enjoy the sounds of the Holidays featuring beloved songs such as White Christmas Melekilikimaka Baby, It’s Cold…
Buffalo Jazz Collective Sextet Holiday Celebration
The Buffalo Jazz Collective Sextet featuring Mark Filsinger, John Hasselback Jr., Bobby Militello, Bobby Jones, Jim Colemon, and John Bacon Jr. perform holiday songs.
Bobby Militello Quartet Christmas at Flying Bison
The Bobby Militello Quartet featuring Bobby Jones on the keyboard, Jim Colemon on bass and John Bacon Jr. on drums for their monthly Flying Bison appearance will perform Christmas tunes.
Joe Baudo Big Band With Cheryl Ferris Christmas Jazz
Joe Baudo Big Band performs Tuesday at the noon hour with Cheryl Ferris often joining in. For two Tuesdays in December (11th and 18th) the swinging big band will accompany Chery Ferris and her vocal interpretations of Christmas Jazz standards.
JazzBuffalo Jazzy Christmas Featuring Ladies First Jazz Big Band and the Buffalo Dolls at Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series (SOLD OUT)
Enjoy an evening of one of Buffalo’s best jazz big bands and the vocals of the retro Buffalo Dolls for an evening of jazzy Christmas music. This special Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series event will also include a performance by the award-winning Matt’s Vocal Performance Team, some of the area’s best youth vocal singers. The Ladies First Jazz Big Band have been awarded the titles of “Buffalo’s Best Big Band” by the Buffalo Music Awards (sponsored by Nightlife Magazine).…
Gerald Albright and Selina Albright Christmas Tour
Saxophonist Gerald Albright was already an accomplished saxophonist by the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, but he switched to bass after he saw Louis Johnson in concert. Playing both sax and bass, he became the consummate session and touring musician in the 80s, working with everyone from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations and Maurice White to Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans and Whitney Houston. He launched his solo career in the infancy…
CookieFest At The Terrace at Delaware Park with Carolyn Lansom and Dozo My Lady
On Saturday, December 15th from Noon-4pm for the Inaugural “Holiday Cookie Fest” at The Terrace in Delaware Park takes place. Kids are Free! Admission is $15 and includes Holiday Mug and Spirited Adult Beverage (Click on the orange “Purchase Tickets” button below to be taken to Eventbrite for tickets!) Shop and sample cookies and baked cookies from Buffalo’s best bakeries! Bring the kids to meet and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause who will be giving away Pre-Christmas Gifts! Warm up…
Holiday Jazz With The Easy Street Big Band at Eastern Hills Mall
The Easy Street Big Band performs holiday favorites, jazz-style, for holiday shoppers. This is a free event. The band was formed on January 19, 2003, bringing together the talents of sixteen area musicians and a vocalist. Its members come from numerous cities in Erie and Niagara counties. The band has been voted “Best Jazz Big Band” at the Buffalo Music Awards in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. While music from the “Big Band Era” makes up a large portion of…
A Big Band Christmas Featuring The Easy Street Big Band
Join the band for an enjoyable afternoon of holiday music at the Ellicott Creek Playhouse in Tonawanda. Established in 2003, the 18-piece band has performed throughout Western New York at festivals, fundraisers, country clubs and a variety of other venues. Comprised of 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, a male and female vocalist and rhythm section, The Easy Street Big Band captures the sound of the traditional “Big Band Era” and breathes new life into arrangements from more contemporary genres…
MOBBB Big Band Holiday Concert
Phil Sims, the founder of the Buffalo Brass Big Band, recently formed the Musicians of Buffalo Big Band (the MOBBB). This 17-piece band consists of many of the area’s top jazz artists and big band players performing at Sportsmen Tavern. The big band will be closing out the year on December 17th with a Big Band Christmas Holiday Concert. December 17th Katy Miner will be joined by male vocalist Mike Civisca for their final performance of 2018 in a Holiday Concert.
Joe Baudo Big Band With Cheryl Ferris Christmas Jazz
Joe Baudo Big Band performs Tuesday at the noon hour with Cheryl Ferris often joining in. For two Tuesdays in December (11th and 18th) the swinging big band will accompany Chery Ferris and her vocal interpretations of Christmas Jazz standards.
Buffalo Jazz Collective Sextet Holiday Celebration
Mark Filsinger, John Hasselback Jr., Bobby Militello, Bobby Jones, Jim Colemon, and John Bacon Jr.
JazzBuffalo Jazzy Christmas Featuring Ladies First Jazz Big Band and the Buffalo Dolls at Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series – SECOND SHOW ADDED!!!
SECOND SHOW ADDED! GET TICKETS SOON!! Enjoy an evening of one of Buffalo’s best jazz big bands and the vocals of the retro Buffalo Dolls for an evening of jazzy Christmas music. The Ladies First Jazz Big Band have been awarded the titles of “Buffalo’s Best Big Band” by the Buffalo Music Awards (sponsored by Nightlife Magazine). Additionally, the big band has been nominated for Artvoice’s Best of Buffalo Awards numerous times as well as the JazzBuffalo Poll Awards. The Ladies…
Cabaret Big Band Holiday with Katy Miner
It’s become a MusicalFare Holiday Tradition! Now in its 5th year of sold-out performances, Phil Sims and his Cabaret Big Band, along with singer extraordinaire Katy Miner, play and sing many of your favorite Yuletide tunes! Don’t Miss it!!
Cabaret Big Band Holiday with Katy Miner
It’s become a MusicalFare Holiday Tradition! Now in its 5th year of sold-out performances, Phil Sims and his Cabaret Big Band, along with singer extraordinaire Katy Miner, play and sing many of your favorite Yuletide tunes! Don’t Miss it!!
JazzWizz Jingle Jam with Robert Merlin Davis
Join the jazziest jingle jam of the holiday weekend. Bring friend and instruments with Dawoud Sabu Adeyola, #DavePhillips Robert Merlin Davis. Hosted by Lázara Martínez with Imara Lopez and #SantaClave.
Michael Christie Homecoming
Michael Christie returns home from New Orleans where he has been playing with Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Roderick Paulin and the Congregation, and Ashlin Parker’s Trumpet Mafia. Mike is a 2013 graduate of Kenmore East High School and a 2017 graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. Mike will be joined on stage by: Lillie Smith, trumpet Alec Safy, bass Harry Graser, keyboard Dr. John Bacon Jr., drums and perhaps some special guests! Please join Mike…
Holiday Jazz Hang w/ Mark Filsinger and Friends at Nietzsche’s
Mark Filsinger holiday jazz hang is back at Nietzsche’s! Featuring…some homecomings for the holidays Elliot Scozzaro Brendan Lanighan Alec Safy and more! $5 21+ unless accompanied by a parent/guardian
007 Affair Presented By Buffalo Rising, Terrace At Delaware Park, And Music By JazzBuffalo Featuring Carina & The Six String Preacher
NEW YEAR’S EVE action-packed | elegant views | live entertainment December 31, 2018, 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. 199 Lincoln Parkway Buffalo, NY 14222 $110/PERSON // $198/COUPLE DRESS FOR THE EVENING IN CREATIVE BOND ATTIRE. GUESTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPORT ANYTHING FROM FORMAL BLACK TIE TO A HOTEL BATHROBE, EVENING GOWNS, SCUBA GEAR, & EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN. LOOK FOR 007 PROJECTIONS, CHARACTERS, AND OF COURSE SOME SHAKEN NOT STIRRED ZAMIR VODKA. ADMISSION INCLUDES OPEN PREMIUM BAR AND STATIONED DINNER. 21+ ONLY. VALET…
New Year’s Eve With The Katy Miner Quintet
Bring in the New Year’s with female vocalist Kat Miner and the band led by jazz trombonist, Phil Sims. Reservations are not required but recommended.
New Year’s Eve With the Drew Azzinaro and Eamon Rahyn Duo
Enjoy bringing in the New Year with an intimate performance in the upstairs portion of the Terrace at Delaware Park restaurant and bar. JazzBuffalo will host the NYC bassist and singer Eamon Rayhn of Lady Lush and the Vinyls with the JazzBuffalo Poll Guitarist of the Year 2016, Drew Azzinaro. Drew is also a member of the NYC-based Lady Lush and the Vinyls. Drew Azzinaro and Eamon Rahyn met while attending college together at SUNY Fredonia in 2012 and have performed…
Holiday and Christmas Jazz throughout Greater Buffalo. Something for everyone this year. Get out and experience the joy of holiday jazz!
