Each year, the African American Cultural Center hosts the annual Pine Grill Jazz Reunion at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Buffalo’s East Side. In 2026, the free event will take place over the course of two Sundays: August 2 and August 9, 2026, 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Each of these days will feature a headlining act:
- David P. Stevens (August 2)
- Pamela “The Saxtress” Williams (August 9)
The auspicious occasion is in remembrance of the once iconic Pine Grill restaurant and jazz club that attracted some of the who’s who in the jazz scene of the day. The club, once located at 1447 Jefferson Avenue (between East Ferry Street and Woodlawn Avenue) was unfortunately demolished, but its memory lives on, thanks in great part to the organizers and the musicians that bring back some of that old magic in the form of the beloved Pine Grill Jazz Reunion.
“This festival is about far more than great music,” said Dr. Leah Daniel, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Center. “For 37 years, the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion has created a space where families reconnect, neighbors celebrate together, and visitors experience the richness of Buffalo’s Black cultural legacy. Every performance honors those who came before us while inspiring the next generation of artists and cultural leaders. We are proud to continue preserving this tradition and ensuring that the legacy of the Pine Grill lives on for many years to come.”
Music lovers are welcome to bring along their lawn chairs, blankets, family tents, and a picnic, as the community pays tribute to an important chapter of Buffalo’s Black history…