Jazz Will Shine All Month Long In May!
May bursts into life on Monday, May 5th with our festive Cinco de Mayo Celebration featuring the Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Quatro at Beebe’s at the Gallery & Hunt Gallery in the historic Brisbane Building—an intimate fusion of live Latin jazz, visual art, and Mexican cuisine that’s already selling out fast (tickets are only $20 and spots are nearly gone).
Just over a week later, on Sunday, May 18th, Buffalo welcomes one of the biggest stars in jazz—Emmet Cohen—for a debut in the Art of Jazz Series at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. Cohen’s masterful swing and virtuosic flair have earned him honors like the 2019 American Pianists Awards and a Thelonious Monk Competition final spot; this performance promises to be a true artistic event, and it is already sold out with a wait list available!
Mid-month brings the special homecoming of classical and jazz guitarist Lenny Ranallo on Wednesday, May 21st at Beebe’s at the Gallery. An internationally acclaimed Western New York native, Ranallo returns for a special Art Meets Jazz evening that bridges his classical roots and jazz innovations—tickets are $20 and moving quickly.
Then, on Saturday, May 24th, rising-star jazz vocalist Aimée Allen and a previous Northwest Jazz Festival performer visit with her dynamic quartet at Pausa Art House. Named a DownBeat Critics Poll “Rising Star,” Allen’s expressive voice and original compositions promise an unforgettable concert from 7:00 PM–9:30 PM (admission $15–$20).
Finally, cap off the month by marking your calendars for the 10th Anniversary season launch of JazzMondays—returning Memorial Day, May 27th, to the Tappo Restaurant Rooftop Patio. Join JazzBuffalo Poll favorite My Cousin Toné for an evening swinging through the Great American Songbook under the stars, as we celebrate a decade of community-building jazz traditions!
Visit each event’s page for full details and ticket links—and make plans now to experience these special moments uniting Buffalo through the joy of music.
Monday, May 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Hunt Art Gallery / Beebe’s at the Gallery ft. Wendell Rivera Latin Quatro!
Hunt Art Gallery/Beebe’s at the Gallery
Join us for a festive Cinco de Mayo celebration at the home of Art Meets Jazz! Building on the vibe of our spectacular opening night with the Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Quartet on March 19, we’re excited to welcome back this popular group for a special evening of vibrant Latin rhythms and cultural flair. Join…
$20
Sunday, May 18 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
ART OF JAZZ: Emmet Cohen Trio
Buffalo AKG Art Museum Buffalo, NY, United States
Join us for an extraordinary performance debut at the Art of Jazz Series on Sunday, May 18, 2025, featuring the multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen. Renowned as…
$40 – $45
Wednesday, May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Art Meets Jazz: Lenny Ranallo Returns Home for a Special Performance!
Hunt Art Gallery/Beebe’s at the Gallery
Lenny Ranallo Returns Home for a Special Art Meets Jazz Performance! Drawing inspiration from Bach to Bill Evans to Coltrane and beyond, internationally acclaimed American guitarist Leonard “Lenny” Ranallo…
$20
Saturday, May 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Aimée Allen Quartet
Pausa Art House 19 Wadsworth Street, Buffalo, NY, United States
Vocalist and composer / lyricist Aimée Allen brings her dynamic band with versatile guitarist Tony Romano, world-renowned bassist François Moutin, and acclaimed drummer Kenneth Salters. The group’s musical aesthetic is…
$15 – $20
Monday, May 26 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 10th Anniversary of JazzMondays with My Cousin Toné at Tappo Restaurant!
10th Anniversary of JazzMondays with My Cousin Toné at Tappo Restaurant!
Tappo Restaurant 330 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY, United States
Join Us for the 10th Anniversary of JazzMondays with My Cousin Toné at Tappo Restaurant Rooftop Patio and Celebrate the Great American Songbook! For the past decade, JazzMondays at Tappo…
