Celebrating Harold Arlen’s 121st Birthday
Each year, we pause to honor a name that should forever echo through the halls of American music history—Harold Arlen. Born in Buffalo, Arlen went on to compose some of the most enduring songs ever written, shaping the Great American Songbook with melodies and harmonies that continue to define jazz, Broadway, and popular music. From “Over the Rainbow” to “Stormy Weather,” from “Blues in the Night” to “Come Rain or Come Shine,” Arlen’s music didn’t just top charts—it changed the emotional language of American song. Quite simply, he stands as Buffalo’s greatest son in American music history.
The Harold Arlen Celebration at Jazz at Kleinhans, featuring 9-time Grammy nominee Tierney Sutton, is our way of ensuring that legacy is not simply remembered—but lived. Each year, we gather to revisit, reinterpret, and reintroduce Arlen’s extraordinary catalog through the voices of today’s top international artists. This annual tradition reflects a core purpose of Jazz at Kleinhans: to honor our musical heritage with the stature and reverence it deserves, while positioning Buffalo as a premier home for world-class jazz celebrations. In celebrating Arlen, we celebrate not only a towering composer—but the very cultural heartbeat of our city.
With gratitude,
Tony Zambito
Executive Director, JazzBuffalo
Harold Arlen Celebration at Jazz at Kleinhans!
The 2nd Annual Harold Arlen Celebration featuring the 9-time Grammy Nominee, Tierney Sutton, is this Sunday, February 15, 2026. She is thrilled to present special arrangements of the Harold Arlen Songbook. Don’t miss this momentous occasion!
Jazz at Kleinhans: Celebrating Harold Arlen’s 121st Birthday, Featuring Tierney Sutton
Featured Sunday, February 15 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pmKleinhans Music Hall 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, United States
Join us on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Kleinhans Music Hall as we celebrate one of Buffalo’s most legendary musical icons: Harold Arlen, the brilliant composer behind many of the
$49
Reserve your seats here: https://kleinhansbuffalo.org/event/tierney-sutton/
Reserve All Three Tributes That Raise Buffalo’s Stature in Jazz!
https://kleinhansbuffalo.org/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=31
Art Meets Jazz Returns This Wednesday, February 18!
We look forward to resuming Art Meets Jazz in winter with a special Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday performance on Wednesday, February 18, featuring Ray Skalski’s Trad Messengers and an art exhibit of Ray’s jazz paintings! Be the first to experience the new and refreshed Beebe’s on the Square and the new restaurant. Chef Jess is also preparing a special Ash Wednesday menu for the occasion. Be sure to check out the article to see the menu!
Wednesday, February 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Art Meets Jazz: Mardi Gras with Ray Skalski’s Trad Messengers
Hunt Art Gallery/Beebe’s at the Gallery
Art Meets Jazz returns with a vibrant and joyful celebration of Mardi Gras—where rhythm, color, and creativity come together in true JazzBuffalo fashion. This special evening features Ray Skalski’s Trad Messengers!
Reserve your spot here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979531826982?aff=oddtdtcreator
Read about the Art Meets Jazz winter-spring lineup in the following announcement. Make your reservations soon!
Art Meets Jazz Returns for a Vibrant Winter/Spring 2026!
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
Four Intimate Nights Where Music, Art, and Community Meet As we look ahead to winter and spring 2026, Art Meets Jazz continues to grow into one of JazzBuffalo’s most distinctive […]
Check Upcoming Jazz at JazzBuffalo.org
As we enter a new year, Buffalo comes alive with jazz performances and concerts. Be sure to visit the Upcoming Events section on JazzBuffalo.org to stay current on all the live jazz taking place throughout the city and region. With many unique events submitted weekly, we encourage you to visit the website regularly to discover where jazz is happening. Click here to view all the upcoming events!
https://jazzbuffalo.org/upcoming-events
JazzBuffalo Pick
Byron Stripling makes a return to the BPO with a special Great American Songbook presentation! And the Queen City Jass Society gets the spirit of Mardi Gras in February underway!
Saturday, February 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Cheryl Ferris & The KensingtonsPausa Art House 19 Wadsworth Street, Buffalo, NY, United States
Tim Franczyk – guitar/vocals Jack Freedenberg – piano/vocals Tom Lillis – bass Mike Lillis Jr – drums/percussion This dynamic ensemble brings to life the rich musical tapestry of the 1960s and 1970s, a period renowned for its innovative sound and cultural revolution. With their unique blend of vocal harmonies and instrumental artistry, Cheryl Ferris
$17 – $20
The Jazz Lounge to Expand!
The response to The Jazz Lounge experience and concept has been nothing short of overwhelming. After our first four nights sold out, we’ve been flooded with emails and phone calls from people hoping to attend.
To meet this incredible demand, we’re moving The Jazz Lounge to the vintage Rendezvous Room at the Statler—a historic, atmospheric space that perfectly matches our vision. And yes, we’re committed to delivering the same intimate, high‑quality experience that defined the first sold‑out night.
Please take a moment to read the full announcement, in the stories section, for all the details. Most importantly, we are reopening reservations for all scheduled Jazz Lounge events in the new location.
Don’t delay—based on the response so far, these newly released spots will go quickly. Reserve your spot now:
February 26: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jazz-lounge-at-miltons-tickets-1974524219092?aff=oddtdtcreator
March 26: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jazz-lounge-at-miltons-tickets-1974526696502?aff=oddtdtcreator
April 30: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jazz-lounge-at-miltons-tickets-1974527976330?aff=oddtdtcreator
May 28: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jazz-lounge-at-miltons-tickets-1974528279236?aff=oddtdtcreator
ICYMI: JazzBuffalo Stories
Art Meets Jazz Returns to New Beebe’s on the Square
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
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. […]
The Jazz Lounge Expands Due to Overwhelming Enthusiasm
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
Moving to the Rendezvous Room to welcome more of our community—while preserving the lounge experience you expect We’re excited to share an important update about The Jazz Lounge—one that comes […]
Tierney Sutton to Headline 2nd Annual Harold Arlen Celebration at Kleinhans
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
Buffalo honors Arlen’s 121st birthday with a world‑class tribute featuring Tierney Sutton, Tamir Hendelman, a lobby exhibit, and a special Lifetime Achievement Award to the Arlen family. JazzBuffalo, in partnership […]
Three Powerful Landmark Tributes at Jazz at Kleinhans
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
Elevating Jazz in Buffalo Elevating jazz in Buffalo has always meant more than presenting great concerts or a series — it means honoring the music’s legacy, investing in artistic excellence, […]
Become a JazzBuffalo Patron
Many thanks to those who have explored and contributed via Patreon. JazzBuffalo grows and supports the need to enrich our community through jazz. Will you consider becoming a JazzBuffalo Patron to continue the development of JazzBuffalo as an integral part of what makes our city one of the best for arts and culture in the country? Click on the Become A Patron link below and become a supporting patron for as little as $1/month.
