A Soulful Sunday with the Joe Alterman Trio: An Exciting Celebration of Les McCann at the Art of Jazz Series

Joe Alterman Trio Brings the Joyful Spirit of Les McCann to Buffalo

The Art of Jazz Series at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum delivered another unforgettable afternoon of internationally acclaimed jazz as we welcomed the Joe Alterman Trio for a joyful and soul-stirring celebration of Les McCann. From the very start, as Alterman warmly greeted the audience and pointed out, “It’s Sunday,” we knew we were in for something special. Kicking off with “Gone And Get That Church”, it was immediately clear that this would be a performance filled with spirit, joy, and an infectious sense of happiness. The radiant sunshine streaming through the museum windows mirrored the mood inside the auditorium, as Alterman and his trio filled the space with bright, uplifting energy.

From the astonishing interplay between Alterman on piano, bassist Kevin Smith, and drummer Justin Chesarek, to the sheer emotional depth of their interpretations, every moment was captivating. Highlights of the afternoon included a stunning Les McCann arrangement of “Blue Moon”, a heartfelt “Someday We’ll Meet Again”, the hypnotic “Samia”, and the uplifting “Don’t Forget to Love Yourself”—each piece serving as a reminder of McCann’s legacy of joy-filled, soulful jazz.

What set this concert apart, beyond the musicianship, was Alterman’s masterful storytelling. Between songs, he shared personal anecdotes and insights into McCann’s life and music, creating an intimate connection between the performers and the audience. More than just a concert, this was a gathering—a communal embrace of McCann’s music, a moment of pure Buffalo Love for Joe Alterman and his exceptional trio.

A special part of the afternoon included a Community Spotlight Conversation with the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award recipient, Abdul-Rahman Qadir. The audience had the privilege of hearing about his journey in jazz, including the incredible experience of performing with Dizzy Gillespie.

Once again, the Art of Jazz Series proved its commitment to presenting superb talent—artists who may not always be household names but whose artistry deserves to be experienced by our community. We are deeply grateful to our enthusiastic audience for trusting in these performances and embracing the spirit of discovery.

A huge thank you to News 4 WIVB, Jazz 90.1 WGMC, and The Buffalo News for their support in sharing news about this event with their audiences. Special appreciation goes out to Peter Hunt and the Buffalo AKG Art Museum for hosting, Mark Percy for superior sound, Devin Kelly for drum provisions, Ed Croft for bass provisions, and Cindy Zambito for hospitality.

We encourage you to check out another stunning photo gallery by Jack Zuff, capturing the warmth, excitement, and joy of the afternoon.

And most importantly—we want to hear from you! Your comments and reflections mean the world to us, and we share them with the artists. Let us know how you experienced this special event!

Thank you, Buffalo, for another amazing day of music, community, and jazz.