Tony’s Thoughts
This Sunday, We Begin Something Special
A few months ago, we shared a vision. A vision of downtown Buffalo becoming a place where people gather around music.
Not simply for concerts. For experiences. For afternoons filled with conversation, laughter, dancing, and the joy of discovering something new.
This Sunday, that vision begins to come to life.
When the 18-piece Anderson Big Band takes the stage on Ellicott Street, something we have been imagining for months becomes real.
The sound of a full big band will fill the street.
The timeless melodies of the Great American Songbook will come alive.
And people will gather—not just as an audience, but as a community.
That is what makes this afternoon so meaningful.
Big band music has always been about bringing people together.
It was never meant to be experienced quietly in isolation. It was meant for dance floors. For celebrations. For shared moments.
Led by John Anderson, named JazzBuffalo Poll Jazz Artist of the Year, with vocalists Kathy Carr and Zach Carr, this extraordinary ensemble will remind us why this music continues to inspire generations.
And maybe the most exciting part?
This is only the beginning.
Over the next two months, Summer of Jazz will take us around the world through music—from Paris to Latin rhythms, from the timeless songs inspired by Andrea Bocelli to the birthplace of jazz in New Orleans, and finally to the vibrant sounds of Brazil.
But it all begins this Sunday. On a downtown street. With friends, family, and neighbors. Together.
I hope you’ll join us.
JazzBuffalo: Where Buffalo Gathers for Jazz.
With gratitude,
Tony Zambito
Executive Director, JazzBuffalo
What We’re Building
Creating Moments That Become Memories
One of the things we’ve learned over the years is that people don’t just remember events. They remember experiences.
They remember the afternoon they danced with someone they love. They remember the song that brought a smile to their face.
They remember discovering a new artist, sharing a table with friends, or finding a new place to gather in their city.
That is the inspiration behind Summer of Jazz.
Each event has its own personality. Each destination tells its own story.
But together, they represent something larger—a belief that music can help shape how we experience our city.
A street can become a dance floor. A neighborhood can become a gathering place. A concert can become a shared memory.
That is what we’re building together. Places where people feel welcome. Places where cultures connect. Places where Buffalo gathers.
This Week’s Featured Event
Summer of Jazz Opens with a Big Band Celebration
There is something magical about the sound of a full big band. The energy of the brass. The swing of the rhythm section. The melodies that have defined generations.
This Sunday, July 12, Summer of Jazz begins with a celebration of one of America’s greatest musical traditions.
Join us for a Big Band Celebration featuring the Anderson Big Band.
Led by acclaimed drummer, arranger, and JazzBuffalo Poll Jazz Artist of the Year John Anderson, this spectacular 18-piece ensemble will bring the timeless sounds of swing and the Great American Songbook to Ellicott Street.
Featuring vocalists Kathy Carr and Zach Carr, the afternoon invites everyone to experience the joy, energy, and timeless appeal of big band music.
Make an afternoon of it. Tables and chairs will be available throughout the street as we create an outdoor jazz café experience, similar to last year, with plenty of space for guests who prefer to bring their own lawn chairs. We encourage you to bring an umbrella—not for rain, but to create your own shade on what promises to be a beautiful summer afternoon.
Enjoy a special paired menu available from Tappo Restaurant, or feel free to bring your own cooler and make the experience your own.
Whether you want to dance, relax with friends, or simply enjoy the sounds of one of Buffalo’s finest ensembles, everyone is welcome.
Ellicott Street in front of Tappo Restaurant – Sunday, July 12 – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Free and open to the public
Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your dancing shoes.
Summer of Jazz begins this Sunday.
Summer of Jazz Presents: Big Band Dance featuring the Anderson Big Band
There’s nothing quite like the sound of a live big band on a summer afternoon. On Sunday, July 12…
Great American Songbook Spotlight
Glenn Miller Orchestra • “In the Mood”
Some songs simply invite you to listen.
Others make it almost impossible to sit still.
Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” is one of those rare recordings that immediately transports us to another time—the excitement of the Swing Era, the energy of the dance floor, and the recognizable sound of a great big band in full flight.
Originally recorded in 1939, “In the Mood” became one of the defining songs of the big band era. With its iconic saxophone riff, driving rhythm, and carefully crafted arrangement, the recording captured the spirit of a generation that found joy, connection, and celebration through big band music.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra’s recording became one of the most recognizable big band performances in history, bringing together musicians and listeners in a shared musical experience that continues nearly a century later.
And that is the magic of great big band music. It doesn’t simply fill a room. It fills a dance floor. It brings people together.
More than 85 years later, songs like “In the Mood” continue to remind us why big band music remains one of America’s greatest musical traditions—and why hearing a full ensemble like the Anderson Big Band live is such a powerful experience.
As we prepare for the opening of Summer of Jazz this Sunday with the Anderson Big Band, “In the Mood” feels like the perfect soundtrack.
Just like the great dance halls of the Swing Era, this Sunday is about more than the music. It’s about gathering. It’s about celebrating. It’s about creating memories together.
This Week on JazzBuffalo.org
This past week, we shared some exciting stories about what we’re building together at JazzBuffalo—from Jazz at Kleinhans and the final opportunity to reserve a 4-Concert Package before individual tickets go on sale July 13, to the launch of Summer of Jazz this Sunday. And, something extraordinary will happen at the Lewiston Jazz Festival.
We invite you to take a few moments to read, discover, and be part of the journey.
Building Something That Lasts: Why a Second Season Matters
Posted on by Tony Zambito
Our specially priced Four-Concert Package remains available through Monday, July 13. There are moments when you realize you’re building something bigger than you first imagined. For me, Jazz at Kleinhans has become one […]
This Summer, You Won’t Need a Passport
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
Six Sundays. Six Musical Journeys. One Extraordinary Summer This summer, you won’t need a passport to experience the world. Through music, downtown Buffalo becomes a dance hall, a Parisian café, […]
From Mood Ellington to Indigo: Two Exciting Nights, One Ellington Legacy at the Lewiston Jazz Festival
Posted on by Tony Zambito
A special musical connection featuring Paul Marinaro and Bria Skonberg As the Artistic Director of the Lewiston Jazz Festival, one of the greatest joys is discovering the connections between artists, […]
When the Street Becomes the Dance Floor: The Anderson Big Band Opens Summer of Jazz
Posted on by JazzBuffalo
The timeless joy of big band music comes to downtown Buffalo on Sunday, July 12. There is something magical that happens when a big band begins to play. The first […]
A Special Moment for Buffalo: Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves at Kleinhans
https://buffalonews.com/life-entertainment/article_a17a4bd5-97f1-5c46-a021-7515d4879953.html
One of the great joys of jazz is experiencing artists whose music continues to inspire generations.
This week, we invite you to explore a feature on Branford Marsalis and the enduring artistry of his celebrated quartet, recently highlighted in The Wall Street Journal and posted on The Buffalo News.
That same spirit of excellence comes to Buffalo on Thursday, April 22, 2027, when Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves join together at Kleinhans Music Hall for a Special Main Hall Performance celebrating The Ballads of John Coltrane.
It is a landmark moment for Buffalo and another example of the extraordinary experiences being created through Jazz at Kleinhans.
The Jazz at Kleinhans 4-Concert Package remains available through July 13 before individual tickets go on sale.
Reserve your Jazz at Kleinhans 4-Concert Package:
https://kleinhansbuffalo.org/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=31
Learn more about Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves at Kleinhans:
https://kleinhansbuffalo.org/event/marsalis-reeves/
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 and other music 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
Every week, thousands of readers, audience members, musicians, and supporters help strengthen the jazz community that makes Buffalo special. Thank you for being one of them.
Become a JazzBuffalo Patron
Many thanks to those who have explored and contributed via Patreon. Every patron helps JazzBuffalo continue creating experiences, supporting musicians, strengthening our jazz community, and bringing more people together through the joy of music. Will you consider becoming a JazzBuffalo Patron and help us continue building Buffalo’s future through jazz and live music? Click on the Become A Patron link below and become a supporting patron for as little as $1/month.
