The 5th Annual Buffalo Jazz Festival

This year, we’ll once again transform Ellicott Street into an outdoor jazz festival with a full concert stage, bringing together remarkable artists and a wonderful community of jazz and American Songbook lovers for an afternoon and evening of jazz.

Events like this matter because they remind us what makes a city vibrant. Great music has a unique way of bringing people together. Friends reconnect. Families make memories. Visitors discover downtown. Restaurants and businesses welcome new faces. For one special day, music becomes the reason people choose to spend time together.

That’s something worth celebrating.

This year’s festival features four outstanding performances, each offering something unique.

We’ll begin with Vibrant Strings at 12:45 pm, whose remarkable young musicians continue to inspire audiences with their talent, enthusiasm, and joy. They represent the bright future of music in our community.

Next comes Victrola Voila at 2:15 pm, a group from Rochester that brings the irresistible spirit of 1930s Paris to life through the music of Django Reinhardt, hot club swing, and vintage jazz. Led by guitarist Melanie Moralez, the trio combines infectious rhythms and old-world charm for a joyful trip back to jazz’s swinging past.

From New York City, we’re thrilled to welcome Marcus Goldhaber at 4:00 pm, one of today’s outstanding jazz vocalists. Marcus has a remarkable ability to make every audience feel connected to the music. His warm, expressive style and heartfelt interpretations of the Great American Songbook have earned him acclaim across the country. Whether you’re hearing him for the first time or have followed his career, his performance is one you won’t soon forget.

Closing this milestone festival will be Tres Mais, joined by five-time Grammy Award nominee Karrin Allyson, at 6:00 pm. Karrin has long been recognized as one of jazz’s most compelling vocalists, bringing extraordinary artistry, emotional depth, and timeless elegance to every performance. Together with Três Mais, this promises to be a memorable finale one that beautifully blends the rhythms of Brazil with the richness of jazz.

As we celebrate five years of the Buffalo Jazz Festival, I’m reminded that what we’re building extends beyond a single event. Every festival, every concert, and every shared experience helps strengthen our community and adds to the growing momentum we continue to see in downtown Buffalo.

I hope you’ll make plans to join us on Sunday, September 6, for a wonderful day of music, community, and celebration.

Because the Buffalo Jazz Festival has always been about more than great jazz.

It’s about creating a place where people come together.