From rooftops to festivals, JazzBuffalo brings music, life, and community back to the heart of Buffalo
For the past decade, JazzBuffalo has been at the forefront of reimagining how jazz—and the arts as a whole—can breathe new life into downtown Buffalo. What began with JazzMondays on the Tappo Restaurant Rooftop Patio has now become a movement, aimed at transforming public spaces, historic buildings, and city streets into vibrant gathering places. Meant to complement the Theater District and the summer music events organized by the likes of Buffalo Place, these efforts add another vital layer to downtown’s cultural heartbeat.
Over the years, we’ve witnessed how the simple joy of music can bring people together. From the rooftop views at Tappo to the summer rhythms of the much-missed Jazz on the Plaz at Seneca One, these initiatives have helped build a tradition of community while sparking a renewed energy downtown. JazzBuffalo also became the first to repurpose the Seneca One Auditorium for concerts, proudly hosting memorable performances—including a breathtaking evening with Grammy Award winner Samara Joy.
More recently, we launched the Art Meets Jazz Series in the historic Brisbane Building, blending visual art with live jazz in one of Buffalo’s architectural gems. This year, we brought Ellicott Street to life with the Buffalo Jazz Festival Prelude and the Buffalo Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend, in partnership with Tappo Restaurant. The events drew thousands of people downtown to celebrate music, community, and culture.
Although the newly launched Jazz at Kleinhans program at Kleinhans Music Hall sits just beyond downtown—within the Allentown/Symphony Circle area—its proximity to the city center is a key advantage. The series will bring internationally acclaimed jazz artists and fresh interpretations of the Great American Songbook to Buffalo. Its closeness to downtown restaurants and entertainment makes it an essential part of the effort to draw people into the heart of the city before and after performances.
All of these efforts have been rooted in one vision: that jazz and the arts can help drive renewal and revitalization in our city’s heart. It is a good start—but the journey continues. In the months ahead, we will be sharing more about ArtsBuffalo, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding this work and building stronger support from civic and business leaders who share our belief in the arts as a catalyst for growth.
We are deeply grateful for your enthusiasm and support. Together, we will continue shaping a thriving future for Buffalo—one where music, art, and community uplift downtown for generations to come.
Your Voice Can Shape the Future of the Arts in Buffalo
As we look ahead, ArtsBuffalo will play a central role in continuing this journey of renewal and revitalization in downtown Buffalo. But we can’t do it without you. An important first step is hearing from the community itself—your thoughts, your hopes, and your vision for the role the arts should play in shaping our city’s future.
We invite you to take the ArtsBuffalo Community Survey—the first of several we will conduct. It will take less than 10 minutes, and your voice truly matters. Click the link below or use the embedded survey to share your input and be part of this exciting future for Buffalo. Together, we can make the arts a driving force in creating a thriving, vibrant downtown.
Take the ArtsBuffalo Community Survey Today!
You can complete the survey directly below if it’s embedded, or simply click the link here to participate:
