Your weekly guide to Jazz in Buffalo.
Tony’s Thoughts
Sometimes You Have to Create the Unexpected
One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that people don’t always know what experience they’re looking for until you give them the opportunity to discover it.
That’s one of the joys of what we do at JazzBuffalo.
We can celebrate the Great American Songbook on a rooftop, fill a Sunday afternoon with Latin jazz, or create something completely different like this week’s Voci d’Amore celebration of the music of Andrea Bocelli.
Not every experience has to look or sound the same.
In fact, I believe part of building a community is giving people opportunities to discover something they may not have expected—and the unexpected makes them glad they came.
That’s something I’ll be thinking about this Sunday.
Sometimes the experience you remember most is the one you didn’t know you were looking for.
With gratitude,
Tony Zambito
Executive Director, JazzBuffalo
What We’re Building
Something People Can Count On
One of the things we’re beginning to see this summer is the importance of being consistent.
A single event can create a wonderful afternoon. But when people know there will be another experience next week, and another one after that, something begins to change.
JazzMondays has become part of people’s summer routine. Summer of Jazz is giving people another reason to think about spending a Sunday downtown. And the 5th Annual Buffalo Jazz Festival, scheduled for Sunday, September 6 from 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm, will bring it to a wonderful summer ending over Labor Day weekend.
People begin making plans. They invite friends. They return to places they’ve enjoyed before. And gradually, spending time downtown becomes something they look forward to doing.
That’s what we’re building.
In many ways, it started several years ago with Jazz at Chandler Street and Jazz at Richardson. Places and circumstances change. You adapt. But creating enjoyable and meaningful experiences people can return to remains.
Not simply a calendar of events, but something people can count on—and hopefully something they’ll want to keep coming back to.
This Week’s Featured Event
Voci d’Amore: An Afternoon to Treasure
Voci d’Amore brings the beautiful music associated with Andrea Bocelli to Ellicott Street, featuring Buffalo’s own Jay Dref, whose remarkable voice has taken him around the world touring with Sarah Brightman, joined by Carolyn Lansom for memorable solos and duets.
Making the afternoon even more special is noted Broadway veteran Don Rebic, who will serve as pianist and musical director, joined by Wayne Moose on upright bass and Devin Kelly on drums.
It’s a special chance to experience this music outdoors, in an intimate setting, on a summer Sunday afternoon in downtown Buffalo.
Come downtown. Enjoy a meal. Bring someone special. And experience what we believe will be one of the most memorable afternoons of Summer of Jazz 2026.
Sunday, August 16 | 4:00–7:00 pm
Ellicott Street at Tappo Restaurant | Free Admission
(Please note: we are tracking the weather forecast, which may cause us to shift the time of the outdoor event to start either earlier or later than planned. Follow us on social media and on JazzBuffalo for updates! Keep fingers crossed and pray for no rain!)
Read the article on why we believe Voci d’Amore will be a summer afternoon to treasure in the This Week on JazzBuffalo.org section.
Great American Songbook Spotlight
“The Way You Look Tonight”
Some songs seem to capture a feeling that never grows old.
Written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 film Swing Time, “The Way You Look Tonight” was introduced by Fred Astaire and went on to become one of the most enduring songs of the Great American Songbook.
Perhaps that’s because it isn’t really about how someone looks.
It’s about wanting to remember a moment—and the person you’re sharing it with.
That’s a fitting thought as we look ahead to Voci d’Amore this Sunday and an afternoon devoted to some of the world’s most beautiful romantic melodies.
Great songs have a way of helping us hold onto moments.
Here’s a version featuring Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap, a match made in heaven…
Community Spotlight
Giving the Next Generation a Place to Grow
One of the responsibilities we have as a jazz community is to make sure young musicians have opportunities to be heard, to perform alongside experienced musicians, and to continue developing their own voices.
It’s something JazzBuffalo has believed in and practiced since our beginning. Whenever possible, we’ve worked to create opportunities for emerging musicians to perform, gain experience, and become part of the larger jazz community.
We’ve seen the importance of that firsthand. At JazzMondays this summer, we’ve had the opportunity to feature next-generation musicians such as Christian Lee and Eric Aqualina on bass. And over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of watching musicians like Mary Diccioccio develop and grow into the masterful bassist and artist she is today. (Mary is off to North Carolina as an Assistant Professor of Math Education!)
That’s one of the most rewarding parts of building a jazz community.
And it’s why I’m especially pleased that the award-winning Temple University Parliament Sextet will be joining us at this year’s Lewiston Jazz Festival.
These talented young musicians, winners of the collegiate competition at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, will have the opportunity to perform before a festival audience, experience a major jazz festival, and share the weekend with established artists from Western New York and beyond.
For audiences, it’s also an opportunity to discover musicians who represent the future of jazz.
A strong jazz community needs both—the accomplished musicians who inspire us today and the young musicians who will carry the music forward tomorrow.
Sometimes all the next generation needs is a stage and an opportunity.
Beebe’s on the Square Summer Thursdays
Our community partnership with Beebe’s on the Square, Hunt Art Gallery, and the Brisbane Building continues! Enjoy jazz on their new patio on three consecutive Thursdays this month.
ArtsBuffalo Spotlight
A Desirable Downtown Isn’t Built One Event at a Time
As ArtsBuffalo continues to listen and learn, one idea is becoming increasingly clear.
Great events matter. But creating a desirable downtown requires more than a few big moments each year. It requires a steady flow of experiences that give people reasons to spend time downtown—and reasons to come back.
That’s the idea behind this week’s ArtsBuffalo editorial.
How do we begin to make downtown part of people’s routines rather than simply a place they visit only for an occasional event?
I believe arts and culture can play an important role.
Read:
A Desirable Downtown Isn’t Built One Event at a Time
Posted on by Tony Zambito
An ArtsBuffalo series exploring how arts and culture can help shape the future of downtown Buffalo. When people talk about revitalizing downtown, the conversation often turns to the next big […]
This Week on JazzBuffalo.org
This week, we highlight why you should experience Voci d’Amore as well as two exceptional jazz artists at the Lewiston Jazz Festival. And share pictures of the exciting Havana Nights featuring Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble at Summer of Jazz 2026.
Why Voci d’Amore Will Be a Summer Afternoon to Treasure
Posted on by Tony Zambito
Jay Dref, Carolyn Lansom, and Broadway veteran Don Rebic come together for a rare celebration of the music of Andrea Bocelli in downtown Buffalo. One of the things we’ve tried […]
Why Bria Skonberg Is an Artist You Need to Experience
Posted on by Tony Zambito
Every generation needs artists who remind us that jazz isn’t simply something to preserve. It’s something to celebrate. Bria Skonberg is one of those artists. If you’ve followed JazzBuffalo over […]
A Beautiful Sunday Afternoon Together in Downtown Buffalo
Posted on by Tony Zambito
Havana Nights brought music and a festive spirit to Ellicott Street Sometimes the best measure of an event isn’t simply what happens on the stage. It’s what happens all around […]
Why Paul Marinaro is a Jazz Vocalist You Should Experience
Posted on by Tony Zambito
Throughout the summer, we’re fortunate to welcome extraordinary jazz artists, such as Paul Marinaro, to Western New York. In this special JazzBuffalo series, I’m sharing why I believe each of […]
Check Upcoming Jazz at JazzBuffalo.org
As we enter the summer season, Buffalo comes alive with jazz performances, festivals, 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.
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