At a time that the downtown bar and restaurant scene could really use a boost, JazzBuffalo has come up with a new live music series in one of the swankiest lounges in the urban core. The Jazz Lounge series – to be held monthly at Milton’s at The Statler – will not only be a big deal for jazz artists and jazz enthusiasts, it will also be the perfect fit for Milton’s, which is still relatively under the radar for most people.
The Jazz Lounge promises to become a monthly ritual for jazz lovers and for anyone seeking a unique night out in Buffalo’s revitalizing downtown.
The Jazz Lounge series will pay its respects to many of the acclaimed jazz musicians that played downtown Buffalo around the 1920’s including Dizzy Gillespie and Kenny Burrell, who performed at the Downtown Room at The Statler. Not many people are aware of the jazz history at the hotel. That’s why Tony Zambito of JazzBuffalo is thrilled to be able to pay homage to the iconic jazz musicians, singers, and the hotel itself
“At a time when downtown Buffalo is in need of more cultural activation and engaging nighttime experiences, The Jazz Lounge represents a new initiative from JazzBuffalo—alongside programs like Art Meets Jazz, the Buffalo Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Kleinhans—designed to bring people downtown and celebrate Buffalo’s arts and culture in meaningful ways,” says Tony Zambito, Executive Director of JazzBuffalo. “The opening night in January will feature the George Kane Trio with special guest vocalist Cheryl Ferris, offering a sophisticated, classic jazz vibe that matches Milton’s rich ambiance. This is truly a unique opportunity blending Buffalo’s past and present in a way we think is needed for downtown Buffalo.” – Tony Zambito
For its debut evening on Thursday, January 29th, The Jazz Lounge will feature the warm, intimate jazz lounge sounds of the George Kane Trio, featuring JazzBuffalo Poll winners George Kane on guitar and Tim Clarke on trumpet. They will be joined by special guest jazz vocalist Cheryl Ferris, whose refined phrasing and classic jazz sensibility offer the perfect vocal complement to the trio’s jazz lounge sound. Together, they create the ideal atmosphere for The Jazz Lounge’s inaugural night.
“The Jazz Lounge is an immersion into the warmth, style, and intimacy that defined the golden era of jazz lounges,” adds Zambito. “To bring this kind of experience back into the Statler, a building so deeply woven into Buffalo’s cultural memory, feels both fitting and inspiring.”…