A special Mardi Gras–inspired evening launches the Winter/Spring Art Meets Jazz series with live trad jazz, a fresh menu, Ray Skalski’s jazz paintings, and a new chapter for downtown Buffalo.
Downtown Buffalo comes alive when we gather around art, music, and food—and our next Art Meets Jazz does exactly that.
On Wednesday, February 18, at 6 pm, JazzBuffalo is proud to present Ray Skalski’s Trad Messengers in a very special edition of Art Meets Jazz that also serves as a sneak preview of the newly branded Beebe’s on the Square. This evening is a celebration of how jazz, visual art, and a refreshed culinary vision can help drive the revitalization and renewal of our downtown.
Beebe’s on the Square is stepping into a new chapter, and we’re honored that Art Meets Jazz is part of the story. Guests will experience a newly refreshed menu that reflects the ambition to make this corner of downtown a true gathering place. At the same time, the gallery will come alive with an art exhibit of Ray Skalski’s extraordinary jazz paintings—vibrant, deeply felt portraits that capture the soul of the music and the people who make it. When Ray’s band, the Trad Messengers, fills the room with New Orleans–inspired traditional jazz and swing, you’ll literally be surrounded by his artistry in both sight and sound.
This evening also marks the kickoff of our Winter/Spring season of Art Meets Jazz, a series that has become a hallmark of what we value as a community: accessible, high‑quality jazz in intimate spaces, partnerships with local businesses and artists, and reasons for people to come downtown, linger, and connect. Every time you choose to attend an event like this, you’re not only supporting musicians and visual artists—you’re voting for the kind of vibrant, walkable, culture‑rich downtown we all want to see.
Fittingly, we’ll also be celebrating the spirit of Mardi Gras, with Ray’s Trad Messengers channeling that joyous, second‑line energy that makes New Orleans such a musical capital. And because this year’s event falls on Ash Wednesday, Chef Jess has prepared a special menu for those who are observing, ensuring everyone can participate fully in the evening while honoring their traditions. It’s a beautiful example of hospitality and respect woven into the fabric of a jazz night.
This is exactly the kind of event we treasure as a community:
- A local musician and artist presented in a new light.
- A downtown venue reinventing itself as a cultural hub.
- Music, visual art, and food are coming together to bring people back to the heart of the city.
Reserve your spot soon—these Art Meets Jazz evenings fill quickly, and we’d love to see Beebe’s on the Square buzzing with neighbors, friends, and new faces as we kick off this next chapter together. Click below!
