More than 545 audience members gathered at Kleinhans Music Hall for a landmark celebration honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane while helping affirm Buffalo’s growing place as a premier destination for jazz artistry.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 545 audience members gathered for Jazz at Kleinhans at Kleinhans Music Hall for what proved to be far more than simply a concert.
Emmet Cohen Presents Miles & Coltrane at 100 became a defining moment not only for Jazz at Kleinhans, but for Buffalo’s continuing emergence as a premier destination for jazz artistry and the celebration of America’s greatest musical art form.
As centennial celebrations honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane continue to take place throughout the world, Buffalo proudly joined that international conversation with an extraordinary performance led by Emmet Cohen and an all-star ensemble featuring Nicholas Payton, Tivon Pennicott, Reuben Rogers, and Joe Saylor.
The afternoon was a powerful reminder of what live jazz at the highest artistic level can achieve.
Rather than simply revisiting history, these remarkable artists brought fresh vitality, creativity, spirit, and emotional depth to music rooted in one of the most transformational partnerships in jazz history. The chemistry, virtuosity, communication, and joy displayed throughout the performance reflected exactly why jazz remains one of the world’s most enduring and inspiring art forms.
For Jazz at Kleinhans, the event represented another important step in building a year-round destination for nationally and internationally recognized jazz artistry in Buffalo. Throughout this inaugural season, audiences have embraced the vision of presenting internationally acclaimed jazz performances within one of America’s great concert halls while fostering a deeper connection to community, culture, and the Great American Songbook.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the outstanding staff and leadership at Kleinhans Music Hall, whose professionalism, partnership, and commitment continue to help elevate these experiences for artists and audiences alike.
And on a personal level, we want to say thank you.
Thank you to every audience member who chose to spend this special afternoon with us. Thank you for believing in this vision for Jazz at Kleinhans. Thank you for supporting live jazz, the artists on stage, and the continuing effort to build something truly meaningful for Buffalo through music, arts, and community gathering.
To witness more than 545 people gathered together in Kleinhans Music Hall celebrating jazz history, artistry, and community was both deeply moving and profoundly inspiring.
This inaugural season of Jazz at Kleinhans would not exist without your support, enthusiasm, encouragement, and presence.
We invite you now to enjoy the wonderful compilation of comments, reflections, and moments shared following the performance—and we welcome you to continue sharing your own thoughts and experiences from this remarkable day in Buffalo jazz history.
Enjoy the compilation of comments, and please add your own:
- Outstanding 3 hrs of tribute to Miles and Coltrane, the group was vibrant, horns bass and Cohen provided syncopated rhythms and drummer added a closing foray using all drum outfit including stands, cymbals, unusual I never before have seen this.
- Such a great nite!
- This was an absolutely amazing show!
- I have been to jazz shows in New York City, Rotterdam, Montreal, Toronto, Barcelona, etc., and this show was one of the best performances I have ever witnessed. Bravo to Tony for putting it together and for the world-class artists who shared their gifts with us. Freaking amazing. Buffalo is a jazz town.
- It was fantastic!
- What a thrill to have the Emmett Cohen ensemble play this afternoon. These masters were all equally talented and amazing. I especially enjoyed Nicholas Payton‘s ballad. Like the groupie that I am, I purchased a hat at the merch table and was thrilled that Emmett signed it for me.
- This concert was excellent. Joe Saylor’s performance on percussion was, in the best way, something I’d never seen before.
- The talent of these musicians left me in awe. Also, who plays for two hours without intermission! Unbelievable! Emmet Cohen is so down-to-earth when he speaks of his music and his ideals. Thank you
- The greatest jazz concert for the low ticket price of 60.00 dollars, outstanding music, that price the next time he’s in town, will not stand, rightfully so!
- One of the best displays of musical mastery I’ve had the chance to see. What a performance by all!
- I will remember this concert until the day I die. It was awesome!
- Emmet Cohen did not simply play the piano — his whole body moved with the music. His fingers moved across the keys like magic, with joy, grace, intensity, and complete devotion to the sound. You could see a musician doing exactly what he was born to do. And the entire ensemble moved through the music like a living conversation — listening, answering, improvising, smiling. Pure joy unfolding note by note. What a performance.
- The music and musicians were amazing.
- It was fun!
- Oh my goodness, it was wonderful, ty
- It was a great show that was enjoyed by both the audience and the musicians. So glad I was there. Go see Gregory Porter next! Supporting live jazz brings more live Jazz.
- World-class musicians, excellent concert. Please make Emmett Cohen an honorary citizen of Buffalo.
- Outstanding show!
- This was an absolutely amazing show!
- Wonderful Performance
- First time I’ve seen a drummer entertain us like that!
I am soooooo disappointed I did not get to see and experience this.
Emmet Cohen is amazing to begin with!
But, Miles & Coltrane ,,,, oh my god ,,,,, excellent.
Really so sorry I missed this.