A Day of Jazz, Community, and Celebration in the Heart of Downtown Buffalo
On Sunday, August 31st, downtown Buffalo will once again come alive with the sounds of jazz as the 4th Annual Buffalo Jazz Festival transforms Ellicott Street in front of Tappo Restaurant into a full-day celebration of music and community. From 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the heart of the city will pulse with the swing of the American Songbook, Latin jazz, Mediterranean rhythms, and timeless classics—all against the backdrop of a vibrant city street closed to traffic and open to dancing, gathering, and joy.
This year marks an exciting new format for the festival: a true street festival experience. By bringing music directly to Ellicott Street, we’re creating a dynamic, welcoming space where friends, families, and jazz lovers can gather together. Bring a folding chair, sit at the tables and chairs provided, and enjoy special menu items with Latin flavors. Bring your dancing shoes, and most of all—bring your love for music. If you joined us for the Buffalo Jazz Festival Prelude event on Sunday, August 10th, you already know the kind of energy and spirit that awaits. If not, this is your chance to be part of Buffalo’s own jazz block party, unlike anything else in the city.
The 2025 Lineup: Four Performances, One “Jazz Around The World” Celebration
The festival features four electrifying “Jazz Around The World” performances that showcase Buffalo’s finest artists, each adding their own voice to the city’s rich jazz landscape.
Paul Hage & Mirage: Mediterranean Jazz Like No Other
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Hage leads Mirage in a stunning exploration of Nuevo-Flamenco, world rhythms, and contemporary jazz improvisation. With melodies inspired by the three continents bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Mirage offers a truly global soundscape that blends sun-drenched guitar, percussive drive, and vibrant improvisation. Joining Hage are Dan Innes (guitar, bass) and Hicham Mihab (cajon, percussion), creating a performance that promises energy, elegance, and originality.
Vanessa Vacanti Quartet: Timeless Classics with a Fresh Voice
Rising star Vanessa Vacanti, winner of the JazzBuffalo Poll’s Rising Star of the Year, brings her warm, expressive voice to the classics and standards of the Great American Songbook. She is joined by a powerhouse ensemble of fellow JazzBuffalo Poll winners: Ian Liedke (piano), Abdul-Rahman Qadir (drums), and Nate Kalnitz (bass). Together, they embody Buffalo’s next generation of jazz artistry while honoring the timeless spirit of the music.
My Cousin Toné: A Beloved Favorite Returns
Voted Favorite Jazz Ensemble in the JazzBuffalo Poll, My Cousin Toné is one of Buffalo’s most beloved groups, celebrated for their joyful interpretations of the Great American Songbook. With a repertoire that spans Gershwin, Porter, Ellington, Arlen, and Berlin—along with beloved stylings of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole—the ensemble has delighted audiences for over a dozen years. As the heart of the long-running JazzMondays at Tappo Rooftop Patio, My Cousin Toné has helped bring renewal and vitality to downtown Buffalo summers for the past decade. Their festival set will continue that mission, reminding us why these classic songs remain at the core of American culture.
Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble: Fiesta in the Street
No Buffalo jazz celebration is complete without the high-energy rhythms of Wendell Rivera, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame percussionist and leader of one of the region’s most dynamic ensembles. Inspired by the legends of Latin jazz, like Mongo Santamaría and Tito Puente, Rivera’s group delivers bold horn lines, fiery solos, and irresistible percussion grooves. With an all-star band including Lisa Hasselback (piano), Ben Levitt (bass), Joey Gonzales (timbales), Nelson Rivera (tenor sax), and trumpeters Hansel Herrera and Calvin Rice, the ensemble guarantees a rousing finale where the audience won’t be able to resist dancing in the street.
More Than Music: A Spirit of Renewal
The Buffalo Jazz Festival is more than a music festival—it’s a celebration of community, renewal, and revitalization in the heart of downtown. By closing off Ellicott Street, we’re reclaiming a central space for people to gather, celebrate, and experience the joy of live music together.
In a city with such a deep musical heritage, the festival is both a continuation of Buffalo’s storied jazz legacy and a look forward to its future. It’s about bringing people together, uplifting our city, and making jazz accessible to all.
So mark your calendars for Sunday, August 31st, and join us downtown for a day filled with unforgettable music, dancing, and togetherness. The Buffalo Jazz Festival is Buffalo’s own jazz celebration—one that belongs to all of us.
Approximate Schedule
