Join us on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Kleinhans Music Hall as we pay tribute to one of Buffalo’s most legendary musical icons, Harold Arlen, the composer behind some of the greatest songs in the Great American Songbook. A visionary whose work includes the iconic “Over the Rainbow,” Arlen’s compositions have shaped American music for generations. This special event is being produced through a collaborative effort by JazzBuffalo and Kleinhans Music Hall and honors Arlen’s immense contributions to jazz and popular music.

The event will be headlined by Pete Malinverni, a native of the Western New York region and an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator based in New York City, along with internationally renowned violinist Julie Kurtzman and rising star jazz vocalist Anaïs Reno. Together, they will bring Arlen’s music to life with historical stories, fresh arrangements, and heartfelt interpretations of his timeless songs.

Pete Malinverni, Julie Kurtzman, and Anaïs Reno (Photo Credits: JazzBuffalo Contributor, Jack Zuff)

Harold Arlen’s musical legacy is rich with classics like “Stormy Weather,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and “Get Happy,” but perhaps none is as famous as “Over the Rainbow,” written for The Wizard of Oz. This song, often hailed as the greatest of the 20th century, earned Arlen an Academy Award and cemented his place in American music history.

Though Arlen’s extraordinary talent was born and nurtured in Buffalo, his recognition in his hometown remains sparse. This event aims to celebrate his life and work in the very city where his remarkable journey began. Arlen’s Buffalo roots fundamentally shaped his legendary career, from playing piano on the S.S. Canadiana to becoming a major figure on Broadway and Hollywood.

Mark your calendars for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of Harold Arlen’s 120th birthday!

Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of Arlen’s music in the historic Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall.

For more information about Harold Arlen’s incredible legacy, visit the online exhibition curated by Chana Revell Kotzin at jewishbuffalohistory.org/arlen.

For an insightful article about Harold Arlen’s Buffalo legacy, read the article by Ed Healy, former Vice President of Marketing at Visit Buffalo Niagara, at https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/harold-arlen-buffalos-great-american-songwriter/

Be part of this extraordinary event where Buffalo honors one of its most treasured musical talents.