Where the Bands Are: This Week in Live Music and Concert News

Herbie Hancock UB CFA date announced, Jazz Appreciation Month kicks off, Band Against Bullying, and this week's gig picks

Apr 03, 2025

(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 all you music freaks. Hope life is treating you well… or at least, well enough! Let’s kick right into some news to brighten your day.

Jazz Appreciation Month 2025

Welcome to April and Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM).

Smithsonian Jazz at the National Museum of American History:

“ Jazz Appreciation Month (fondly known as "JAM") was created right here at the museum in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April.

JAM is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz - to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and more.”

Learn more about JAM here on the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History page.

Locally, JazzBuffalo recommends a number of stellar performances throughout the month including the Charlie Ballantine Trio at PAUSA, ART OF JAZZ: The Jeff Hamilton Trio at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Art Meets Jazz: An Intimate Evening With Jazz Vocalist Carolyn Lansom at the Hunt Art Gallery/Beebe’s at the Gallery, plus many more. Visit the website for full listings and information on JAM.

Herbie Hancock

Sunday, November 2, 7 pm at UB Center For the Arts. $49 - $134.

Here’s a true coup for jazz lovers (or anyone who loves virtuosic music in general). Herbie Hancock is the greatest living conduit to America’s greatest musical contribution to the 20th century. Over the course of 7 (!) decades, the man has forged a path as a true innovator, and left his mark on every major movement in jazz, from post-bop to funk, soul and r&b-informed hybrids. As a member of Miles Davis’ second great quintet, as leader of Mwandishi and the Headhunters, as a solo artist, and as a collaborator with peers like Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, and Freddie Hubbard, Herbie has consistently plowed a deep and singular furrow. And even at the age of 84, he shows no signs of letting up.

Tickets for this Center for the Arts show are likely to fly, so consider getting on it right away. The CFA presale (online purchases only) starts on April 3 at 10 am. Use the unlock code “UBHERBIE”.

The general on-sale kicks off Friday, April 4 at 10 am. The CFA box office will be open Tuesday - Friday from noon - 6 pm, for folks who prefer to purchase in person.

Snarky Puppy Announces “The Rabbit Hole”

4 Days qand 4 Nights of Music and Creativity (August 25-28) in Tarrytown, NY… This sounds like a DREAM camp for musicians, music lovers and soundscape creators.

Michael League of Snarky Puppy writes: “I am beyond thrilled to invite you to the very first Rabbit Hole, an intimate, immersive music camp with a cast of clinicians that I have only dreamed of having in the same room. We’re gathering at the stunning Tarrytown Estate House in New York for four days of music, creativity, and connection that I promise will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

“Whether you’re a seasoned musician looking to expand your horizons, an enthusiastic amateur eager to dive deeper into the world of groove and improvisation, or simply a music lover who wants to be immersed in the sounds and stories behind the music, this camp is for you. We’re creating a space where everyone-regardless of skill level-can explore, learn, and grow together. The only requirement is curiosity.

“We’ll be joined by some of our favorite friends and musicians in the scene today, including Kimbra, Stanley Jordan, Wayne Krantz, Becca Stevens, Varijashree Venugopal, Tim Lefebvre, John Medeski, Magda Giannikou, eight members of Snarky Puppy, and a few more names to come. This is a rare opportunity to hang, play, and create with the faculty from the most badass music school that never existed (until now, I guess).

“Your days will be filled with workshops, jam sessions, performances, talks, and deep dives into the creative process. We’ll explore composition, improvisation, arranging, production, technique, philosphy, collaboration, art of listening. And when the sun goes down, we’ll keep the music alive with late-night concerts and jam sessions, making sure to leave plenty of time to chat and connect with each other.

“So, if you’ve ever dreamed of spending a few days immersed in the world of Snarky Puppy, exploring new sounds, and connecting with a community of passionate music lovers, this is your chance. Let’s make something unforgettable together. I hope you’ll join us. Let’s create, be inspired, and celebrate the beauty and power of music.

“As you can imagine, spaces are very limited. Get in there quickly before it fills up!”

11th Annual BAND Against Bullying

April 8th, 2025, 7 pm at UB Center for the Arts. Tickets for this event are $5 at the door.

“A variety of schools participated by hosting auditions and/or competitions that incorporate the arts within their own school, related to the theme of Dignity. The acts were encouraged to combine multiple forms of art to create the most dynamic illustration of Dignity Awareness.” Each final act will perform at this event at the Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo.

“This dignity-themed middle and high school performing arts competition was created to raise community awareness of bullying-related issues and empower youth to be advocates for change in their home, school and community. Proceeds from the event will support bullying prevention and intervention efforts in the participating schools, as well as the continued development of the BAND Against Bullying program.”

2025 Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival Music

Music is Art is once again presenting 2 days (April 26-27) of music during the festival at the Buffalo History Museum and Japanese Gardens. Music is 11am - 3 pm.

Borderland Band Camp 2025 is open to campers!

Borderland Band Camp, sponsored by Buffalo Music Club, Sportsmens Americana Music Foundation and Borderland Music Festival, is a 6-day summer music program (August 18-20 and August 25-27) for middle-school and high-school teens with a BIG goal—to share the stage with professional musicians for two live performances, culminating in a spot on the Homespun Stage at Borderland Music + Arts Festival.

Last weekend, the Borderland Band Camp fundraiser at The Cave was quite successful. Funds raised will go towards scholarships for kids in need to join the camp!

Some of the camp’s teachers include local musicians and music mentors like Eric Crittenden, David Cloyd, Damone Jackson, Jakob Jay, Alex Overton, Marcus Lolo and myself. Last year’s inaugural camp was an unforgettable experience for all involved, and this year is already shaping up to be bigger and better.

Enrollment is now open with early bird pricing available through April 30. Limited spots available. Scholarships are also available for qualified applicants.

New And Noteworthy:

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Sunday, June 8, 4pm gates/6pm show at Sportsmens Park, Buffalo. $60

UB40 w/Inner Circle

Friday, August 29, 7 pm at Artpark Amphitheater, Lewiston, NY. $27/$66/$76. Tickets on sale Friday, April 4 at 10 am.

Funtime presents:

The Smiths etc, Murmur, Disintegration

The music of The Smiths, The Cure and R.E.M.

Friday, May 30, 7 pm at Town Ballroom Buffalo. $25

Jacob Jay presents:

Doctor Lonnie Smith 2nd Annual Jazz Festival

Wednesday, April 23, 6 pm kitchen open, 7 pm show at The Caz, Buffalo. $15-$20

“This celebration of jazz will feature the extraordinary talents of renowned jazz organist Gerry Youngman of the Paradigm Shift Jazz Trio, a close friend and former student of Dr. Smith.

In addition to performances by the high school ensembles from St. Francis, Lackawanna, Global Concepts Charter High School, and Pappy Martin Jazz Legacy Collective's Love Supreme School of Music, the festival will include a special appearance by the Jay/Sharptet Little Big Band, along with other exciting acts.”

FTMP Events presents:

Green Jelly

Friday, May 2, 9 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $20/$25

Taj Farrant

Wednesday, July 9, 7 pm doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $30/$35

An Evening with Rosanne Cash w/ John Leventhal

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 7 pm in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo. $86.50

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Wednesday, June 4, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $23/$28

Tugboat Annie w/ Black Jacket, Stress Dolls, Gathering Ground

Saturday, June 28, 7 pm at Electric City, Buffalo.

New Bomb Turks w/ The Drowns

Monday, July 28, 7 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $20/$25

Dinner and a Show: Kaki King

Sunday, June 8, 6 pm seating, 7 pm dinner, 7:30 show at The Caz, South Buffalo, NY. $89-$99.

+LIVE+, Collective Soul, and Our Lady Peace

Saturday, July 26 at Darien Lake Amphitheater, Darien Center, NY. $35+

J-Rod Sullivan & The 4 Korners SuperGroup

Friday, June 27, 7 pm at Destiny International Church, Buffalo, NY.

Ani DiFranco w/Hurry for the Riff Raff

Sunday, August 31, 6:30 pm doors at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. $$ Presale use password: THEKNOWING. Public on sale is Friday, April 4, 10 am.

Glass Animals: Tour Of Earth

Saturday, August 2 at Darien Lake Amphitheater, Darien Center, NY. $67.20+

DSP Shows presents:

Graham Nash

Wednesday, August 6, 6:30 pm doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $86/$61.

bob. an interpretation of the music of Bob Dylan

Featuring Al Shmier & Vinnie Amico (of moe.), Brian Lauri, Zach Fleitz, Charley Orlando

Thursday, May 8, 7 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $25 Adv/$30 DoS

J.WAIL Live Band ft/Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), David Murphy (formerly of STS9), and members from Mihali Band, Hive Mind, and more

Friday, May 23, 8 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $28.42-$33.85

Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge

Thursday, September 18, 6:30 pm at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. $127/$101.50/$61.50

Ethel Cain w/9Million

Saturday, September 13, 6:30 pm at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, Buffalo. $$

Here are some of the many things happening in our scene, this week and beyond…

Marc Scibilia w/Daniel Saint Black, Garrett Adair

Thursday, April 3, 7 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. $25-$60

“The Buffalo-bred, Nashville-based singer-songwriter makes music on his own terms, described by GRAMMY as ‘an introspective songwriter with a knack for crafting melodies out of personal hardship’, Marc is able to find inspiration in folk, alternative and anthemic pop music, he has crafted a distinctly American sound that’s rueful yet buoyed by hope.”

Walter Kemp 3 ft/International Bassist Silvia Bolognesi

Thursday April 3, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $17/$15

Beatles Fish N Chips with Geno and Frank

Thursday April 3, 7 pm at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo.

McCarthyizm

Thursday April 3, 7 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $

Ellen Pieroni’s Hip Hop Night ft/Rodagues, Aaqil Ali, Aaron Dawaun, and DJ Lil Gab

Thursday April 3, 8 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $10

Thursday Night Live: Family Funktion and the Sitar Jams

Thursday April 3, 5:30 pm at Wilson Town Square, Knox Building, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. FREE

Funtime presents:

Big Wreck

Friday, April 4, 7 pm doors at Town Ballroom, Buffalo. $44.25

The Strictly Hip

Lake View Lighting 14U Baseball Fundraising Event

Friday, April 4, 7 pm doors at Hamburg VFW 1419, Hamburg, NY. $30 incl. Beer & Wine

Richie English - An Evening of Classical Masterworks

Friday, April 4, 7 pm at West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY. $20-$82

Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage w/Grasping Straws, and Welks Mice

Friday, April 4, 10 pm at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. $15/$20

Band Named Sue

Friday, April 4, 6 pm doors at Nietzsche’s, Buffalo. FREE

The Waiting Room: A Tribute to Genesis & Peter Gabriel

Friday, April 4, 6:30 pm doors at The Caz, South Buffalo. $25

Music on the Sculpture Terrace: akloh.

Friday, April 4, 5 pm at Sculpture Terrace, Gundlach Building, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. FREE/pay-what-you-wish

Thee Isolators w/Suits

Saturday, April 5, 7 pm at Revolver Records, Buffalo. $5

The Traveling Milburys: The Worlds Greatest Tribute To The Traveling Wilburys

Saturday, April 5, 8 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $35/$45

Buffalo Music Collective presents

Tartan Day at Flyin Bison: Almost Seamus and the Celtic Spirit Pipe Band

Saturday, April 5, 3 pm at Flying Bison Brewing Company, Buffalo. FREE

Junior Jerry Jam presents:

Dogs to the Rescue ft/Dogs In A Pile

Saturday April 5, 3:30 pm doors/4pm show at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $15 Adults / FREE for Kids

An Evening with Dogs In A Pile

Saturday April 5, 8 pm at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $24/$27

David Miller & The Other Sinners Trio

Saturday April 5, 7 pm at 42 North Brewing Company, East Aurora, NY.

Sarah De Vallière Band with special guest Bill Tiberio

Saturday, April 5, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $13/$15

Scott Celani Band & Anthony Casuccio

Saturday, April 5, 8 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $10

Mary Ramsey & Friends

Saturday, April 5, 3 pm at The Cave, Buffalo. $10

Disco Funk & Motown ft/Universal Phunk

Sunday, April 6, 4:30 pm doors, 6 pm show at The CAZ, South Buffalo, NY. $24-$29

David M Miller, Vinnie DeRosa and Lisa Denise on lead vocals, Chuck Brown on bass, Oscar Woodrich on guitar, Steve Davis and Armani Works on keys, John Aaron Troy on saxophone, and Deshawn D Ray Jackson on drums

Pink Talking Fish – Wish You Were Here Aniversary Tour

Sunday, April 6, 7 pm doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $20/$25

Banjo Juice Jazz Band

Sunday, April 6, 1 pm (BRUNCH) at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo.

Garden State: 20th Anniversary Concert

Masti World Music Ensemble

Arabic Jazz - World Grooves

Sunday, April 6, 2 pm at Duende at Silo City, Buffalo. FREE

Buffalo Jazz Collective:

Jazz Sunday: "Duke Ellington Celebration"

Sunday, April 6, 2 pm at the main floor Ring of Knowledge, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Downtown Buffalo. FREE

Featuring Mark Filsionger (trumpet), John Hasselback, Jr. (trombone), George Caldwell (piano), Sabu Adeyola (bass), and John Bacon (drums).

Classic Vinyl Live: PHISH “A LIVE ONE” ft/The Scales

Monday, April 7, 7 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $15 - Tickets now on sale.

WBFO The Bridge Music Meeting

Tuesday, April 8, 6 pm at Mr. Goodbar, Buffalo. FREE. RSVP to attend!

Grace Lougen and Alex McArthur

Tuesday, April 8, 7 pm at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo.

Buffalo Dead All Stars

Joey Lewis, Sonny Baker, Jamie Sunshine, Joe Bellanti, Tony Petrocelli, and Mark Hitchcock

Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $

Music is Art Showcase w/ Real Movement & Ian McQueen

Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm April Alliance Happy Hour, 9 pm show at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo.

Killswitch Engage w/Kublai Khan TX, Fit For A King, Frozen Soul

Wednesday, April 9, 5:30 pm doors at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo. $

Moon Hooch w/ Future Joy

Thursday April 10, 7 pm doors at Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo. $22/$25

Thursday Night Live: Delvin Payton and The Lyfe Band

Thursday April 10, 5:30 pm at Wilson Town Square, Knox Building, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo. FREE

A Look Ahead…

JazzBuffalo presents:

Charlie Ballantine Trio

Friday, April 11, 7 pm at PAUSA art house, Buffalo. $25/$15

Funtime presents:

Railroad Earth

Friday, April 11, 7 pm at Town Ballroom. $42.25

Bright Eyes

Friday, April 11, 8 pm at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo. $45/$55

Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson, and Althea Rene

Friday, April 11, 8 pm in Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State. $40/$45

Big Martha

Saturday, April 12, 8 pm at Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo. $20

SAINTS OF CRUE - Tribute to Motley Crue

Saturday, April 12, 7 pm doors at Rock N Roll Heaven, West Seneca, NY. $13.60

Music Is Art Instrument Drive

Saturday, April 12, 10 am-4 pm

DSP Shows presents:

Buckethead

Sunday, April 13, 7 pm doors at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $30/$35.

Twenty6 Productions presents:

Ripe

Tuesday, April 15 at 8 pm at Asbury Hall in Babeville, Buffalo. $29/$33

Martin Barre: A night of Acoustic Delights with the Martin Barre Band

Tuesday, April 15, 7 pm at Electric City, Buffalo. $40

Kleinhans Music Hall presents:

Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan

Thursday, April 17, 6:30 doors at Mary Seaton Room in Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo. $61.50-$191.50

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root w/ Dirk Miller

Friday, April 18, 9 pm at Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo. $25

Spin Doctors

Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, 8 pm at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino Bears Den, Niagara Falls, NY. $35/$40

Blaised And Confused w/Diyené 1st Anniversary Show

Saturday, April 19, 10 pm at Jack Rabbit, Buffalo. $10

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