Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series: Wendell Rivera

For more than two decades, Wendell Rivera has been the cornerstone of Latin music in Western New York. On July 20, he brings his Latin Jazz Ensemble to the Ralph Wilson Park waterfront for a free night of Afro-Caribbean grooves, progressive jazz, and a heartfelt tribute to Afro-Cuban and típico Puerto Rican music.

A percussionist, composer, producer, and educator, Rivera is a leading ambassador of Latin jazz in the region. His resume spans some of the biggest names in music like Aretha Franklin, Ben Vereen, John Patitucci, and more. In 2000, his contributions to Western New York’s music community earned him induction into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Admission is free. Arrive early to grab a bite from on-site food trucks or bring a picnic and find your spot on the lawn. Portable restrooms are available on-site. Street parking is available in the surrounding area, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

This concert is presented by the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade.

• Details
• Date: July 20, 2026
• Time: 5–8 pm
• Admission: Free
• Family friendly

The Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series is supported in part by the Levitt Family Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonprofits to strengthen the social fabric of communities in America through free, live music in outdoor public spaces. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt concerts are welcoming, inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together. In 2026, the Levitt Family Foundation is supporting over 900 free concerts in 90+ towns and cities across the country, bringing joy to over a million people. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing vibrant music ecosystems through partnerships, field-building initiatives, and research. levitt.org.