Music: News & Media
Born Buffalo (2025)
Review: Chess at Lancaster Opera House
Born Buffalo reviewed the Lancaster Opera House production of Chess, highlighting the ensemble performance that included Kristen Smigielski in the roles of reporter and ensemble member. The production, directed by J. Michael Landis with musical direction by Fran Landis, ran from March 28-April 13, 2025.
Read more: https://bornbuffalo.com/chess-musical-lancaster-opera-house/
Burchfield Penney Art Center (2024)
Homage to King Dougman
Kristen Smigielski performed as a vocalist in Homage to King Dougman, an intermedia performance presented by the Bufffluxus ensemble at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on April 28, 2024. The performance commemorated the closing of the multimedia exhibition Doug and featured text by Michael Basinski, video and audio art by Andrew Deutsch, and music by Don Metz. The work draws from experimental traditions rooted in Fluxus, Dada, and contemporary new music performance.
Read more: https://burchfieldpenney.org/events/event:04-28-2024-2-00pm-homage-to-king-dougman/
Burchfield Penney Art Center (2023-2024)
Doug: An Inter-Media Enjambment
The Burchfield Penney Art Center featured Kristen Smigielski as a vocalist in Doug, a multimedia video and sound installation by the Bufffluxus ensemble exploring concepts from Fluxus, Dada, and experimental music traditions. The exhibition ran from November 10, 2023 through April 28, 2024 and included collaborative performances and works by musicians, vocalists, and interdisciplinary artists.
Read more: https://burchfieldpenney.org/exhibitions/exhibition:doug/
The Buffalo News (2019)
Fashion Friday: Meet Vocalist Kristen Smigielski
The Buffalo News featured vocalist Kristen Smigielski in its “Fashion Friday” series, highlighting her work as a Buffalo-based jazz vocalist while also showcasing her personal style, fashion influences, and stage presence.
JazzBuffalo (2019)
2nd Tuesdays at Mr. Goodbar: Kristen Smigielski Combo Jazz Residency
JazzBuffalo reported on the monthly jazz residency of the Kristen Smigielski Combo at Mr. Goodbar in Buffalo, NY. The series featured performances every second Tuesday from 10:00pm–1:00am, with the ensemble including Kristen Smigielski (vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (keys), and John Smigielski (drums), along with rotating special guest musicians.
JazzBuffalo (2019)
2019 Northwest Jazz Festival: Peace Garden Stage
JazzBuffalo featured the Kristen Smigielski Combo as part of the lineup of contemporary female jazz artists performing at the Peace Garden Stage during the 2019 Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY. The ensemble performed on August 23, 2019 as part of the festival’s two-day celebration of regional jazz musicians.
Nietzsche’s (2019)
Jazz Happy Hour: Spring Series Performance
Event listing for a performance by vocalist Kristen Smigielski as part of Nietzsche’s Spring 2019 Jazz Happy Hour Series in Buffalo, NY. The weekly Monday series featured live jazz from 5:30-7:30pm.
Read more: https://www.facebook.com/events/nietzsches/kristen-smigielski-jazz-happy-hour/2697931756914375/
https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/jazz-happy-hour-w-kristen-smigielski/
JazzBuffalo (2019)
Kristen Smigielski Combo: Broadway Market Easter Festival
JazzBuffalo reported on a performance by the Kristen Smigielski Combo at the Broadway Market in Buffalo, NY during the market’s Easter Festival. The ensemble featured Kristen Smigielski (vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (keys), Avery Weissman (bass), and John Smigielski (drums).
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/kristen-smigielski-combo-at-the-broadway-market/
Buffalo Rising (2019)
Larkinville Announces 2019 Season
Buffalo Rising highlighted the Kristen Smigielski Combo as part of the live music lineup for Larkin Square’s Food Truck Tuesday series in Buffalo, NY.
Read more: https://www.buffalorising.com/2019/04/larkinville-announces-2019-season/
Nietzsche’s (2018)
Jazz Happy Hour: Summer Series Performance
Event listing for a performance by vocalist Kristen Smigielski as part of Nietzsche’s Jazz Happy Hour Summer Series in Buffalo, NY. The weekly series featured live jazz performances on Monday evenings from 5:30-7:30pm.
JazzBuffalo (2019)
CMC Jazz Jam with the Kristen Smigielski Combo: The Colored Musicians Club
JazzBuffalo reported on the Kristen Smigielski Combo hosting a weekly jazz jam session at the Historic Colored Musicians Club in Buffalo, NY. The ensemble included Kristen Smigielski (vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (piano), Avery Weissman (bass), and John Smigielski (drums), opening the evening before an open jam session with local musicians.
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/cmc-jazz-jam-with-the-kristen-smigielski-combo/
Duende at Silo City (2019)
Tom Waits’ Blue Valentine: Live Album Performance
Event listing for a live performance of Tom Waits’ album Blue Valentine in its entirety at Duende at Silo City in Buffalo, NY, featuring Kristen Smigielski (vocals) alongside Pat Jackson (bass), Ryan Campbell (drums), Kevin Urso (piano), Megan Piret (vocals), Sean McNamara (guitar), and Kyle Ohlson (saxophone).
Burchfield Penney Art Center (2019)
Kristen Smigielski Combo: Classic Jazz Standards (M&T Second Friday)
Event listing for a performance by the Kristen Smigielski Combo at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, NY, as part of the museum’s M&T Second Friday series, featuring a program of classic jazz standards.
Read more: https://burchfieldpenney.org/events/event:02-08-2019-5-30pm-kristen-smigielski-combo/
Buffalo Spree (2019)
“Best Tickets for January” The Kristen Smigielski Combo at The 9th Ward
Buffalo Spree highlighted a performance by the Kristen Smigielski Combo at The 9th Ward in its monthly “Best Tickets for January” feature. The ensemble included Donny Frauenhofer (keyboard), Ian Adelstein (guitar), Avery Weissman (bass), and John Smigielski (drums).
Babeville Buffalo; JazzBuffalo (2019)
Kristen Smigielski Combo: Live at The 9th Ward at Babeville
Event listing and coverage of the Kristen Smigielski Combo performing at The 9th Ward at Babeville in Buffalo, NY. The ensemble featured Kristen Smigielski (vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (keys), Ian Adelstein (guitar), Avery Weissman (bass), and John Smigielski (drums).
Read more: https://babevillebuffalo.com/events/kristen-smigielski-combo/
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Home for the Holidays with the Kristen Smigielski Combo, PAUSA Art House
JazzBuffalo reported on a holiday performance by the Kristen Smigielski Combo at PAUSA Art House in Buffalo, NY, featuring Kristen Smigielski (vocals), Jon Rizzo (piano), James Benders (bass), and John Smigielski (drums), with special guest vocalist Steve Balesteri.
Read more: https://www.facebook.com/events/765141703823287/
https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/home-for-the-holidays-with-the-kristen-smigielski-combo/
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Kristen Smigielski PAUSA Debut: Best of Broadway and Jazz
JazzBuffalo reported on vocalist Kristen Smigielski’s debut performance at PAUSA Art House in Buffalo, NY, featuring a program of Broadway and jazz repertoire with special guest Zach Carr and an ensemble including Donny Frauenhofer (piano), Ian Adelstein (guitar), Avery Weissman (bass), and John Smigielski (drums).
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/kristen-smigielski-pausa-debut-best-of-broadway-and-jazz/
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Kristen Smigielski Combo at Ashker’s on Elmwood
JazzBuffalo reported on a performance by the Kristen Smigielski Combo at Ashker’s on Elmwood in Buffalo, NY, featuring Kristen Smigielski (vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (keys), Ian Adelstein (guitar), Nelson Rivera (saxophone), Colin Brydalski (bass), and John Smigielski (drums).
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/kristen-smigielski-combo-at-ashkers-on-elmwood/
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Kristen Smigielski Combo – Music on Main at MTK Prime
JazzBuffalo reported on a performance by the Kristen Smigielski Combo as part of the Music on Main summer concert series in the Village of Williamsville. The event featured live music along Main Street, with local ensembles performing throughout the evening.
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/kristen-smigielski-combo-music-on-main-at-mtk-prime/
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Kristen Smigielski Quintet at the East Aurora Street Festival
The Kristen Smigielski Quintet performed a live jazz set at the East Aurora Street Festival, featuring vocalist Kristen Smigielski alongside Jon Rizzo (keys), Ian Adelstein (guitar), Avery Weissman (bass), and John Smigielski (percussion).
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/kristen-smigielski-quintet-at-the-east-aurora-street-festival/
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Kristen Smigielski Combo Opening for Vanessa Collier at Buffalo Iron Works
The Kristen Smigielski Combo opened for blues and soul artist Vanessa Collier at Buffalo Iron Works as part of the JazzBuffalo concert series, featuring vocalist Kristen Smigielski performing jazz repertoire with her ensemble.
JazzBuffalo (2018)
Kristen Smigielski Trio at East Aurora Music Festival
Kristen Smigielski performed as vocalist with the Kristen Smigielski Trio at the East Aurora Music Festival. The jazz performance featured Jake Malone-Brancato on keyboards and John Smigielski on percussion.
Read more: https://jazzbuffalo.org/event/kristen-smigielski-trio-at-east-aurora-music-festival/
Burchfield Penney Art Center (2018)
The Last Detail: Cassandra by Ed Sanders
Kristen Smigielski performed as a vocalist in Cassandra, a multimedia music, poetry, and video performance by counterculture poet and musician Ed Sanders. Presented at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the production combined live music, narration, and experimental media to retell the story of Cassandra from the Trojan War.
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (2016)
Dada at 100: A Centenary Celebration of Dada
Kristen Smigielski performed as part of the ensemble for Dada at 100, a multimedia performance at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center celebrating the centenary of the Dada movement. The event featured live music, poetry, film, and performance art inspired by early 20th-century avant-garde works by artists such as Hugo Ball, Kurt Schwitters, Tristan Tzara, and Marcel Duchamp.
East Aurora Advertiser (2011)
‘Over the Tavern’ Features Local Teens
Kristen Smigielski was featured for her role as Annie in the Aurora Players production of Over the Tavern, performed at the Roycroft Pavilion in East Aurora. The production, written by Buffalo playwright Tom Dudzick, tells the story of a Polish American family living above their neighborhood tavern in 1959 Buffalo.
Read more: https://www.eastaurorany.com/articles/over-the-tavern-features-local-teens/