Buffalo Center for Health Equity Sponsors Opening Concert of the 2026 Art of Jazz Series at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum

The Buffalo Center for Health Equity (BCHE) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the opening concert of the 2026 Art of Jazz series at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, marking a powerful beginning to Black History Month through music, wellness, and community connection. The season opens with a highly anticipated performance by acclaimed trumpeter and composer Brandon Woody and his ensemble, UPENDO, on February 1, 2026.

This sponsorship is presented through The Healing Frequency: Music, Mental Health & The Art of Sound, a signature BCHE initiative that uses music as a public health tool to support emotional well-being, reduce stigma around mental health, and create safe spaces for expression, reflection, and connection.

The National Recording Academy—home of the GRAMMY® Awards—is amplifying this effort nationally through its MusiCares initiative, recognizing the concert as part of a broader movement to support the health and well-being of the music community and the audiences they serve.

“Music has always been a powerful bridge between pain and healing, between isolation and community,” said Allita Steward Dockery, Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. “Through The Healing Frequency, we are intentionally bringing music into public health spaces as a form of emotional medicine—especially in communities that have historically had limited access to mental health support.”

The Healing Frequency creates emotionally safe spaces where individuals can explore difficult topics related to physical and mental health through sound, storytelling, and creative expression—supporting personal growth while strengthening community engagement.

Through MusiCares, the Recording Academy provides a critical safety net to the music community across three essential areas:

• Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
• Health Services
• Human Services

By partnering with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and aligning with MusiCares, BCHE is extending the reach of The Healing Frequency beyond Buffalo, positioning the city as a national model for integrating arts, culture, and health equity.

The February 1st performance of Brandon Woody’s UPENDO will not only celebrate Black History Month through world-class jazz, but also affirm a deeper commitment to healing, resilience, and the transformative power of music.