The Jazz Lounge Presents: A Great American Christmas Songbook

The Jazz Lounge – Where Jazz Meets Sophistication

There are certain songs that simply belong to the holidays.

Songs we have known for years. Songs that bring back memories. Songs that somehow make December feel like December.

On Thursday, December 17, The Jazz Lounge at The Statler invites you to spend a special evening with those songs as we present A Great American Christmas Songbook, featuring the immensely talented jazz vocalist Vanessa Vacanti and her trio.

This will be an evening filled with holiday favorites, timeless standards, and the warmth and swing of the Great American Songbook—all experienced in the intimate surroundings of The Statler's historic Rendezvous Room.

Think of songs like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “White Christmas,” “I'll Be Home for Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” Songs that became part of the American holiday tradition through unforgettable interpretations by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby.

These are more than Christmas songs. They are part of a musical tradition that has traveled from one generation to the next, carrying with them memories of family, romance, winter nights, and Christmases past.

And at the center of the evening will be a vocalist we believe is becoming one of the most exciting young jazz talents in our region.

Vanessa Vacanti has quickly made an impression on audiences with a beautiful voice, natural stage presence, and an ability to make familiar songs feel fresh again. Named the JazzBuffalo Poll Rising Star in 2024, she has performed at jazz festivals throughout New York State, most recently at the Lewiston Jazz Festival, and continues to develop a distinctive voice of her own as a jazz artist.

Her musical journey has already taken her beyond Western New York, including performances in jazz clubs in Rome and Bologna. She has studied with acclaimed jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly and trained with Kim Nazarian, founding member of the renowned New York Voices.

Yet what makes Vanessa especially compelling isn't a résumé.

It's what happens when she sings.

There is a warmth and ease in the way she connects with an audience, along with a genuine affection for the songs themselves. She can swing, tell the story inside a lyric, and bring a youthful energy to music that has been loved for generations.

For A Great American Christmas Songbook, Vanessa and her trio will bring that spirit to the music of the season—songs filled with romance, nostalgia, joy, and the unmistakable feeling of Christmas.

And there may be no better setting for experiencing them than The Jazz Lounge.

Inside the historic Rendezvous Room, gather around a table with friends, enjoy a cocktail, settle into the room's vintage surroundings, and experience the music in the historic setting. And when Vanessa and the trio begin to swing, don't be surprised if you find yourself stepping onto the dance floor.

That's part of what makes The Jazz Lounge different.

It isn't simply about sitting and watching a performance. It's about sharing a night out together—the music, the room, the cocktails, the conversations, and perhaps even a dance or two.

In December, that atmosphere takes on a little extra magic.

A Great American Christmas Songbook is our invitation to enjoy one special evening before the rush of the holidays takes over completely. Slow down for a couple of hours. Raise a glass. Hear some wonderful music. Share a dance. And enjoy the songs that have accompanied generations through the Christmas season.

Come with friends. Make it a date night. Dress up a little if the mood strikes you. Most of all, give yourself a reason to enjoy a December evening downtown.

And if you haven't yet experienced Vanessa Vacanti, this is an opportunity we don't think you should miss.

A remarkable young vocalist. An intimate trio. Timeless holiday songs. Cocktails and dancing. And one of Buffalo's most distinctive rooms for experiencing jazz up close.

A Great American Christmas Songbook.

Featuring the Vanessa Vacanti Trio.

Thursday, December 17 at The Jazz Lounge at The Statler.

Come for the songs. Stay for a cocktail. Share a dance. And celebrate Christmas at The Jazz Lounge.

More than a performance, The Jazz Lounge is a social experience — where music lovers, friends, and new faces gather to enjoy jazz in a relaxed, elegant, and unhurried environment. It’s the perfect setting for a date night, an after-dinner stop, or an evening out with friends — an experience that invites you to linger, unwind, and take in the warm, sophisticated ambiance of The Jazz Lounge.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, music begins at 7:30 PM, and the evening concludes by 9:30 PM — perfectly paced for an enchanting Thursday night in downtown Buffalo.

Reservations – $23
Live jazz by the finest duos, trios, and quartets
Expertly crafted cocktails
Inside the historic Statler at The Rendezvous Room in Downtown Buffalo

Join us for an evening that blends sophistication and rhythm — where every note, every laugh, and every glass raised becomes part of Buffalo’s newest jazz tradition.

Reserve early! Experience the magic of The Jazz Lounge.