From resilience to revitalization, JazzBuffalo and its partners are helping create a vibrant future for downtown Buffalo through music, community, and collaboration.
This summer marks more than the return of great jazz to downtown Buffalo. It represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter built on collaboration, community, and a shared commitment to bringing people together through arts and culture.
As JazzBuffalo prepares to launch the 2026 Summer of Jazz Series, we are thrilled to share that a special press conference will be held with Mayor Sean Ryan to highlight a growing partnership among ArtsBuffalo, JazzBuffalo, Tappo Restaurant, and the Electric District Alliance. Together, we are working to create vibrant experiences that attract residents and visitors alike to downtown Buffalo.
While we will be sharing more details in the coming days and weeks, we are grateful for the support of the City of Buffalo as we continue efforts to activate downtown through events such as the Summer of Jazz Series, the Buffalo Jazz Festival, and other events we know will surprise many. Including game nights, Friday night concerts, and World Cup watch parties.
Spearheading many of the initiatives that audiences will experience this summer has been Rocco Termini of Tappo Restaurant and Signature Development, who was recognized as JazzBuffalo’s Jazz Crusader of the Year in the 2026 annual JazzBuffalo Poll. Working in partnership with ArtsBuffalo, JazzBuffalo, the Electric District Alliance, city officials, and other community stakeholders, Termini helped raise funds and champion the efforts necessary to clear the way for events to take place along Ellicott Street.
His commitment to creating opportunities for arts and cultural programming in downtown Buffalo has helped transform what began as a series of individual events into a broader vision for community engagement and downtown vitality.
Throughout the summer, Ellicott Street will be transformed into a gathering place for music lovers, families, visitors, and community members. Multiple street closures will allow for expanded outdoor programming and opportunities to experience the energy and spirit that live music and other unique events bring to our city.
What makes this moment especially meaningful is how it began.
Last summer, the Buffalo Jazz Festival Prelude and Buffalo Jazz Festival events emerged as an act of resilience. Faced with challenges and uncertainties, partners came together with a belief that music, culture, and community could help create positive momentum for downtown Buffalo. The response from audiences, businesses, artists, and supporters exceeded expectations.
What started as a determination to keep moving forward has now opened the door to something much larger.
Today, those efforts have evolved into a broader collaborative vision—one that recognizes the important role arts and cultural events can play in strengthening downtown vitality, supporting local businesses, creating memorable experiences, and fostering community connections.
The Summer of Jazz Series is a reflection of that vision.
From outstanding performances and community gatherings to opportunities for residents and visitors to experience downtown in new ways, the series represents the collective efforts of organizations and partners committed to Buffalo’s continued growth and vibrancy.
We are excited about what lies ahead and grateful to everyone who has helped make this progress possible.
Stay tuned as we share more details about this partnership, the Mayor’s press conference, and the many exciting events planned for the months ahead.
Together, we are helping write the next chapter of downtown Buffalo—one note at a time.
