A beloved annual tradition honoring one of Buffalo’s greatest musical treasures returns to Kleinhans Music Hall as internationally acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway brings the timeless spirit of the Great American Songbook to life.
Few cities can claim a direct connection to the Great American Songbook quite like Buffalo.
Through the extraordinary legacy of Buffalo-born composer Harold Arlen, our city remains forever connected to some of the most beloved and enduring songs ever written—music that has shaped generations of American culture and continues inspiring audiences throughout the world today.
In the 2026-2027 season, Jazz at Kleinhans proudly continues one of its most cherished traditions with the return of internationally acclaimed vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and storyteller Ann Hampton Callaway for the annual Harold Arlen Celebration at Kleinhans Music Hall on Sunday, February 7, 2027, at 3 pm.
For audiences throughout Buffalo, this event has become far more than simply a performance. It has evolved into a heartfelt community celebration of the songs, artistry, and emotional storytelling that define the Great American Songbook itself.
Ann Hampton Callaway is uniquely suited to carry forward this remarkable musical legacy. Renowned internationally for her stunning vocal artistry, elegant piano work, emotional warmth, and masterful storytelling, Callaway possesses the rare ability to make timeless songs feel both deeply personal and universally shared. Her performances create the kind of intimate connection between artist and audience that lingers long after the final note.
And nowhere does that connection feel more meaningful than in Buffalo, where Harold Arlen’s music still feels like coming home.
Songs such as Over the Rainbow, Stormy Weather, Come Rain or Come Shine, Blues in the Night, and Get Happy are woven into the fabric of American musical history. Yet in Buffalo, they carry an even deeper significance—a reminder of one of the city’s greatest artistic contributions to the world.
As Jazz at Kleinhans continues building Buffalo’s premier destination for jazz artistry and the Great American Songbook, the annual Harold Arlen Celebration remains a cornerstone of that vision: honoring timeless artistry while bringing community together through shared cultural experiences.
“There is something deeply meaningful about gathering together in Kleinhans Music Hall to celebrate the music of Harold Arlen,” said Tony Zambito. “These songs belong not only to American music history, but to Buffalo’s cultural identity. Ann Hampton Callaway has an extraordinary ability to bring audiences into these songs with warmth, elegance, humor, and emotional authenticity. Each year becomes a truly special experience for our community.”
Included as part of the 2026–2027 Jazz at Kleinhans four-concert subscription package, this treasured annual tradition continues helping define the growing identity of Jazz at Kleinhans as a home for world-class jazz artistry, timeless music, and treasured shared experiences in Buffalo.
For many audience members, this concert has already become part of the rhythm of Buffalo’s cultural calendar.
And the 2026-2027 season of Jazz at Kleinhans promises to be no exception.
Belong to Buffalo’s premier program for jazz; for a limited time, select your preferred seats and reserve your four-concert package for under $45 per concert:
