The Summer We Have Been Building Toward
As we turn the calendar to June, it is a fitting time to reflect on what has already been a remarkable year for jazz in Buffalo.
The response from our community to new experiences such as The Jazz Lounge, alongside the continued enthusiasm for concerts, festivals, and gatherings throughout the region, has been both encouraging and inspiring. What we have witnessed during the first half of the year is more than attendance at events—it is a growing embrace of the role that music can play in bringing people together, creating vibrant spaces, and strengthening our sense of community.
This season has been one of evolution and growth. We have experimented, learned, and expanded our vision for what jazz can mean to Buffalo. Through it all, your support has provided the foundation for every step forward.
As we look ahead, we are preparing for a robust summer filled with opportunities to gather, celebrate, and enjoy great music. Today marks another important milestone as we join with the Mayor and community partners in supporting activities taking place along Ellicott Street through the Summer of Jazz Series, the Buffalo Jazz Festival, and other initiatives designed to bring people back downtown and help revitalize our city streets.
The momentum we are experiencing did not happen overnight. In many ways, it began last summer with the overwhelming support you showed for the Buffalo Jazz Festival Prelude and the Buffalo Jazz Festival itself. Those events helped shape our thinking, demonstrating the possibilities that exist when music, community, and collaboration come together with a shared purpose.
The months ahead promise exceptional music, meaningful partnerships, and memorable experiences. Most importantly, they promise continued opportunities for us to gather as a community and celebrate all that makes Buffalo special.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to seeing you throughout the summer.
JazzBuffalo: Where Buffalo Gathers for Jazz.
With gratitude,
Tony Zambito
Executive Director, JazzBuffalo
The Jazz Lounge: Midnight In Paris – Thursday, June 25th!
We announced this pop-up Jazz Lounge scheduled for Thursday, June 25th, on Saturday. We’ll feature the quintet led by Tyler Westcoot, The PAper Roses, for a Parisian-infused jazz lounge evening. Currently, we have reached 85% capacity in just a few days. Reserve your spot today before this evening sells out!
Go here now: The Jazz Lounge: Midnight In Paris
Summer of Jazz 2026!
This summer, the JazzBuffalo and ArtsBuffalo Summer of Jazz Series, in partnership with Tappo Restaurant, returns to Ellicott Street with four special Sundays featuring many of your favorites and winners from the annual JazzBuffalo Poll. From big band swing and Latin jazz to hot club sounds and traditional jazz, downtown Buffalo will once again come alive with music, community, and summertime energy.
This morning, this initiative, among others, will be part of a special press conference with Mayor Sean Ryan, highlighting the events to take place on Ellicott Street this summer!
Mark your calendars now for July 12, July 26, August 9, and August 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm—and keep your fingers crossed for beautiful Buffalo summer weather!
Be sure to read the related story about how this initiative is contributing to downtown revitalization.
JazzBuffalo Pick: Gregory Porter!
Gregory Porter, who has carved out a path as a jazz, soul, and R&B vocalist, visits Buffalo. Saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, featured in the Emmet Cohen Presents Miles & Coltrane at 100 Jazz at Kleinhans momentous concert, will be part of Porter’s ensemble. Tickets available at kleinhansbuffalo.org.
Jazz at Kleinhans: Gregory Porter
Featured Tuesday, June 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pmKleinhans Music Hall 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, United States
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Gregory Porter was raised in Bakersfield, California, and cites the Bakersfield Southern Gospel sound, as well as his mother’s Nat King Cole record collection, as fundamental influences on his own sound. Porter began singing in jazz clubs in San Diego while attending San Diego State University on a football scholarship. Eventually, Porter moved to New…
$49 – $100
Discounted Jazz at Kleinhans 2026-2027 4-Concert Package Available!
The 4-concert Jazz at Kleinhans Package is priced at ONLY $178 and still comes out to less than $45 per concert. Don’t miss out during this limited time before individual seats are released and prices go up. Select the best remaining seats and reserve your preferred seats for all four concerts!
PLEASE NOTE: Individual concert seats to go on sale July 13. ACT NOW to reserve your preferred seats for all four concerts!
This season features Grammy Award winners and Tony Award nominees—take advantage of this limited-time opportunity and join us for what promises to be an exceptional season.
PLEASE NOTE: the Sunday, December 6 concert has been moved from 3 pm to 2 pm to accommodate fans wanting to get home for the start of the Buffalo Bills vs. New England game at 4:30 pm.
Read more here: Jazz at Kleinhans 2026-2027 Unveiled
Learn more and tickets here: Jazz at Kleinhans at KleinhansBuffalo.org
Reserve your 4-concert package seats now – $178 and less than $45 per concert: Reserve Seats Now
Rare Special Event: Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate the Ballads of John Coltrane – APRIL 22, 2027
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2027
RESERVE YOUR SEATS AT THIS LINK: https://kleinhansbuffalo.org/event/marsalis-reeves/
An extraordinary and deeply expressive collaboration, Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves bring to life the timeless ballads of John Coltrane with artistry, intimacy, and emotional depth. More than a concert, it is a rare musical experience—one that invites us to listen closely through some of the most beautiful and enduring music in jazz. A TRULY SPECIAL EVENT FOR JAZZ AT KLEINHANS AND BUFFALO!
Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate the Ballads of John Coltrane
Featured Thursday, April 22, 2027 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pmKleinhans Music Hall 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, United States
A Landmark Jazz at Kleinhans Main Hall Event at Kleinhans Music Hall! Some music asks to be heard. John Coltrane’s ballads ask to be felt. On April 22, 2027, Jazz…
$70 – $100
Check Upcoming Jazz at JazzBuffalo.org
As we enter the summer season, 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-event
ICYMI: JazzBuffalo Stories
Summer of Jazz Signals an Exciting New Chapter for Downtown Buffalo
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
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 […]
An Exciting Evening in Paris Awaits at The Jazz Lounge
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
More Than 75% of Seating Has Already Been Reserved We wanted to share a quick update with those who have supported JazzBuffalo over the years and The Jazz Lounge most […]
The Jazz Lounge Presents Midnight in Paris: A Special Pop-Up Evening Comes to The Statler on June 25
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
Following a series of sold-out evenings, JazzBuffalo responds to overwhelming demand with a one-night-only Parisian-inspired Jazz Lounge experience. Over the past several months, something special has been happening in downtown […]
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.
