Miers on Music: Where The Bands Are — This Week in Live Music and Concert News
Some new developments for jazz in Buffalo; 3 mights of moe.; music news and concert announcements
(Above: AI design by Kim Miers).
By Jeff Miers
(Have a cool concert or interesting event you know about? Email all the info and links to jeffmiersmusic@gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in Where the Bands Are.)
Hey there, music-loving friends. Thanks for being here.
Not to harsh anyone’s mellow, but as you might know, the live music industry is facing its fair share of problems as 2025 winds down.
While its true that the ‘big ticket’ mega-acts are raking in absurd amounts of cash via grossly inflated ticket prices for stadium shows, offering the illusion that the live music industry as a whole is thriving by adopting the ‘bigger is always better’ model, independent music venues are feeling the crush – in no small part due to the fact that arena and stadium ticket prices are gobbling up the entertainment budgets of their potential patrons.
Ticket sales are down for theater and concert-club venues, while operating and production costs continue to rise. That’s a scary scenario for anyone who prioritizes the concept of ‘local’ in their live music outlook.
It’s a pleasant surprise, amid this climate, to note some exciting developments in the wold of reasonably priced Buffalo-area jazz concerts over the past few weeks.
I recently published an interview I conducted with musician Walter Kemp 3, where we discussed his fresh appointment as curator of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Art of Jazz Series. Kemp has assembled an exciting and diverse lineup of shows featuring some cutting edge modern jazz artists – the very artists we’d often have to travel to more heavily populated cities in primary concert markets to catch. All of these shows come with a reasonable ticket price, in opposition to the big ticket bonanzas gobbling up the lion’s share of concert patrons ‘dis[posable’ income.
Now, there’s more good news for lovers of jazz (and just plain top-tier live music experiences in general).
JazzBuffalo – a division of the Greater Buffalo Jazz Society, the non-profit promoting jazz awareness and patronage in our region – has teamed with Kleinahans Music Hall and Soul of Buffalo Productions to create the Jazz at Kleinhans series. This week, the team announced the addition of a Gregory Porter appearance on June 9 to a roster that already includes Louis Prima Jr on December 5; A Celebration of Harold Arlen with Tierney Sutton on February 15; BEATrio with Bela Fleck, Antonio Sanchez and Edmar Castaneda on April 24; The John Pizzarelli Trio on April 26; and Emmet Cohen presents Miles & Coltrane at 100 on May 17.
Though these shows all feature national and international touring artists, their curation, presentation and production are all being handled by Buffalo people, which makes them local endeavors. It’d be nice to see some Buffalo jazz bands and artists in opening slots somewhere down the line, cementing that sense of ‘local.’
“At JazzBuffalo, we believe that jazz enriches our collective quality of life—it inspires creativity, strengthens our community, and reminds us of the beauty of artistic expression,” says JazzBuffalo Executive Director Tony Zambito. “Through Jazz at Kleinhans, we’re not just presenting concerts; we’re building a legacy for Buffalo as a vibrant, internationally recognized home for jazz.”
You can find tickets for these shows, which will take place in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall, through kleinhansbuffalo.org or 716-885-5000. Tickets for the Gregory Porter show go on sale Friday at 10 am, but there’s a pre-sale happening now right here. Use the pre-sale code GREGORY26.
Music is Art Instrument Drive this Saturday!
Saturday, November 8, 10 – 4 pm at MIA HQ (510 Franklin St.), Buffalo, NY. FREE
“Bring any used or new instruments between 10am and 4pm, and we’ll have a team of volunteers ready to take them and clean and fix them up so we can send them back out to those in need. We accept any and all instruments except for pianos and organs, and we are especially in need of brass and woodwinds, drum hardware, basses, and guitar amps.”
New and Noteworthy
Journey – The Final Frontier – Farewell Tour
Wednesday, June 10 at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY.
Yeah, I get it – we’re all sick of hearing “Don’t Stop Believing,” and the soap opera surrounding some members of this gazillion-X-platinum hit machine has been off-putting, to be kind about it. But any chance to see Neal Schon play guitar is a chance worth taking. Check out his new interview with Rick Beato for proof of what a solid dude and serious musician Schon is. Also not that he’s adamant about wanting to include some deep cuts in the farewell tour setlist, and the “An Evening With” format should allow him to do just that.
(Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning Tuesday, November 11 at 10 am local time through the Citi Entertainment program (for complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com). A KeyBank Center presale will take place Thursday, November 13 from 10 am-10 pm. The general public on sale is Friday, November 14 at 10 am local time.)
moe.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, February 13-15, 7 pm doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY.
Selwyn Birchwood w/Grosh
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6 pm doors at Samuel’s Grande Manor, Williamsville, NY. $38 GA seating/$45 VIP reserved seating
Jamsgiving
Friday, November 26, 7 pm at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, Buffalo, NY. $25
The Pickle Mafia
Friday, December 19, 7 pm at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $24-$27
MNM presents
The Christmas Party – Holiday Rave
Thursday, December 25, 8 pm on four floors of Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, Buffalo, NY. $25/$40 for 2/$60 VIP
BPO presents The Music of Pink Floyd with The Machine
Friday, February 27, 2026, 7:30 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $28.50-$100.50
EUROPA – A Tribute To Carlos Santana
Saturday, December 13, 2026, 7 pm at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $25-$35
BPO presents The Music of The Tragically Hip with The Strictly Hip
Friday, May 1, 2026, 7:30 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $28.50-$59.50
This week…
Buffalo Dead All-Stars – 2 sets of Grateful Dead
Thursday, November 6, 7 pm at Penny Lane, Buffalo, NY. $10
Will Holton & Ken Whitman present: The Horn Hang
Celebrating World Saxophone Day
Thursday, November 6, 6:30 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. FREE
“The Annual Horn Hang offers a vibrant space for saxophonists to meet, share stories, exchange knowledge, and build community…The evening will also feature a historic musical moment: the largest recorded regional performance of Cannonball Adderley’s timeless classic, “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” This unprecedented collaboration will unite saxophonists across generations and genres in one powerful performance.”
Mary Ramsey & Friends
With Stu Weissman, Avery Weissman & Marc Rosen
Thursday, November 6, 7 pm at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $10
The Isaiah Timothy Quintet – A night of free Jazz, Neo soul and the boom bam bop
Thursday, November 6, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $13/$15
Public Water Supply, Undefeated, The Season
Thursday, November 6, 8:30 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY. $10
The Crane Wives w/ Spencer LaJoye
Friday, November 7, 8 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo, NY. $27/$30
Strings Unbound: An Intimate Evening with Alex Cousins
Friday, November 7, 8 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20 stage area, $13/$18 bar area
Miller and the Other Sinners (Trio)
Friday, November 7, 8 pm at Penny Lane, Buffalo, NY. $10
Sousaphunk
Friday, November 7, 8 pm at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.
Little Mountain Band
Friday, November 7, 8 pm at The Cave, Buffalo, NY. $
Depeche Mode vs. New Order Dance Party
Friday, November 7, 8 pm at Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY. $10
A Grief Sanctuary for D’Angelo
Saturday, November 8, 7 – 10pm at GCR Audio, Buffalo, NY. FREE – RSVP here.
Curated by Drea d’Nur in partnership with GCR Audio.
“This intimate Grief Sanctuary honors the life, spirit, and legacy of D’Angelo through a tapestry of immersive experiences:
- Listening Lounge and Soundscape featuring rare recordings of D’Angelo’s voice and music
- Ancestral altar for reflection and connection
- Memory booth to share stories and remembrances
- Tea for grief as a ritual of care and release
The evening also includes a special documentary presentation, offering insight into D’Angelo’s journey and artistry.”
Wendell Rivera’s Latin Jazz Ensemble
Saturday, November 8, 7 pm at Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. $25
Abandoned Trains, Handsy Grandma, and Trainwreck
Punk, hardcore, metal, and thrash
Saturday, November 8, 8 pm at Mr. Goodbar, Buffalo, NY. $10
Superchief
Saturday, November 8, 8 pm at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.
Music is Art Instrument Drive
Saturday, November 8, 10 – 4 pm at MIA HQ (510 Franklin St.), Buffalo, NY. FREE
“Bring any used or new instruments between 10am and 4pm, and we’ll have a team of volunteers ready to take them and clean and fix them up so we can send them back out to those in need. We accept any and all instruments except for pianos and organs, and we are especially in need of brass and woodwinds, drum hardware, basses, and guitar amps.”
Pocketship
Saturday, November 8, 7 pm doors at Revolver Records, Buffalo, NY. FREE
Dead. Phish. Funk. w/Underage
Saturday, November 8, 7 pm at Penny Lane, Clarence, NY. $10
Buffalo Music Coalition presents
Shaky Stage
Saturday, November 8, 4-7 pm at Flying Bison Brewing Company, Buffalo, NY. FREE
The Soul Street Band
Angela Ziegler on vocals, Ron Locurto on guitar/vocals, George Bidleman on bass, Nelson Starr on keyboard/vocals, Shanon Street on drums/vocals
Saturday, November 8, 3 pm at GFY Bar & Grill, Tonawanda, NY.
Edmund Fitzgerald Tribute
Saturday, November 8, 5:30 pm at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $20
Boney James
Sunday, November 9, 7 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $58/$68/$78
Vin DeRosa’s GUITAR PULL
Tuesday, November 11, 7 pm at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $12-$15
Buffalo Chamber Music Society presents
JACK Quartet w/pianist/composer Amy Williams
November 11, pre-concert talk at 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm show in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $30
Mixtapes: David Cloyd & Chelsea o’Donnell w/Buffalo String Collective
Thursday, November 13, 7 pm at Duende at Silo City, Buffalo, NY. $20/$25 seating/$15$20 GA (discount pre November 12)
BPO presents The Music of Green Day
Timothy Muffitt, conductor; Derek Day, lead vocals; Walter Ino, guitar; Ben White, bass; Tom Polce, drums
Friday, November 14, 7:30 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $27.50-$110.50
Guabaza: A Night Of Latin Blues
Friday, November 14, 9 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY. $15/$20
The Scales
Friday, November 14, 8 pm at Molly Maguires, South Buffalo, NY.
“One Love” Benefit for Jamaica Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund: The Rockaz ft/ Neville Francis & Olmsted Dub System plus DJ Ruption
Includes a number of participating restaurants, live reggae music, authentic Jamaican foods, and Caribbean Rum drinks.
Saturday, November 15, 6 pm-10 pm at The Terrace at Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY. $30
BPO presents “Clouds in my Coffee”
The music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon with Ted Sperling, conductor; Morgan James, vocals; Shayna Steele, vocals; Bryohna Marie, vocals
Saturday, November 15, 7:30 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY. $17.50-$128.50
School Of Rock Student Concert
Saturday, November 15, 1 pm at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $12
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