From the Art of Jazz to New Horizons: A Message from Tony Zambito

Dear Friends in the Community,

After much thoughtful consideration, I’ve decided to step away from my role as Producer and Curator of the Art of Jazz Series at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Over the past several years, it has been a true privilege to bring internationally renowned artists to Buffalo through this series. Together, we’ve created something meaningful — a community united by a shared passion for jazz and exceptional live performances. I’m deeply grateful to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum for serving as the host venue and for helping make this series possible.

Here is what I know as of today, we are already well beyond the typical planning period for next year’s concert season calendar — a fact reflected in the number of emails I’ve received asking about the status of the series. Given the current constraints on spending in the arts, rising production and marketing costs, and escalating artist fees, it has become increasingly difficult for institutions—especially those outside of traditional performing arts centers—to sustain the resources required to present concerts at the level of excellence our audiences have come to expect and deserve. These realities understandably place the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in a difficult position regarding keeping up with the expense increases and the long-term viability of the series.

Thus, with no firm direction for the future continuation of the series in place at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, and the inability to plan for a successful 2026 season, I believe this is the right time to step away and make room for new possibilities.

JazzBuffalo remains committed to presenting internationally acclaimed jazz in Buffalo. We look forward to collaborating with key partners to continue bringing renowned and recognized artists to our community, and we will share more announcements as they become available. We also hope the Buffalo AKG Art Museum will continue to make its auditorium venue available to JazzBuffalo for unique and special events produced in the future.

Our commitment to you has us currently in an exploratory stage with Kleinhans Music Hall—one of the nation’s most historic and venerated performing concert halls—to create a new Jazz at the Philharmonic program that honors this important tradition in jazz history and opens the door for larger ensemble performances in a world-class concert hall setting. The program will build on successful productions like the Harold Arlen 125th Birthday Celebration, and we are excited to help shape what comes next

I now also turn greater attention to ArtsBuffalo — a bold new initiative dedicated to fostering deeper connections between artists, arts organizations, performing arts centers, theater districts, and audiences throughout our region, especially at a time when the arts are under enormous pressure to respond to unanticipated cuts in funding and grants. This next chapter is filled with opportunity, and I’m excited about where it can lead. I hope the Buffalo AKG Art Museum will play a meaningful role in this endeavor as we work together to strengthen and expand our cultural community.

A special thank you to my good friend Bruce Eaton, who founded the Art of Jazz Series more than twenty years ago and placed his trust in me and JazzBuffalo to help carry it forward. We’re grateful to continue drawing on his insight as we move ahead. I’m also deeply grateful to everyone who helped shape the series — especially you, the audience. Your enthusiasm and love for this music have truly been at the heart of it all.

I look forward to seeing you at future concerts as we continue to grow Buffalo’s vibrant jazz and arts communities together.

Warmest regards,
Tony Zambito