Leonid & Friends at Kleinhans Music Hall | September 13, 2026
They have never seen Chicago perform live. Not one of them. Every vocal run, every brass arrangement, every interlocking rhythm that made Chicago one of the most technically demanding bands of the 1970s — absorbed entirely from recordings and rebuilt from scratch by an 11-piece ensemble from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. When Leonid & Friends arrive at Kleinhans Music Hall on Sunday, September 13, the people who knew Chicago best have already delivered their verdict.
About Leonid & Friends
The project began in late 2014 as a private experiment. Leonid Vorobyev — multi-instrumentalist, recording studio sound engineer, choir conductor — sat down and transcribed Chicago’s “Brand New Love Affair” by ear, intending it as a retirement exercise. He recorded it with musician friends and posted it to YouTube. The video went viral. Chicago’s official website reposted it. What Vorobyev had built for himself became one of the most celebrated tribute acts working today, accumulating over 500 million combined video views across platforms.
The original band’s verdict has been unambiguous. Tris Imboden — Chicago’s drummer for nearly three decades — sat in with Leonid & Friends at the Belly Up in San Diego and called them “world-class musicians with an eye for detail that is almost frightful.” Founding keyboardist and co-lead singer Robert Lamm met the ensemble in person and attended a show. Original drummer Danny Seraphine traveled to Los Angeles to deliver his blessing. Michelle Kath Sinclair, daughter of the late Terry Kath — Chicago’s original guitarist — has also given her approval.
The setlist extends well beyond Chicago. Leonid & Friends also draw from Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, and Steely Dan — making this less a tribute show than a full reckoning with the brass-rock era. Americana Highways put it plainly after a 2025 show: “More than just a tribute band; they’re a force of musical positivity… audiences walk away with a smile on your face and a newfound appreciation for the power of music to unite and uplift.”
The Buffalo date is part of the “2026, or 6 to 4” North American tour — added after sold-out 2025 runs across the continent prompted overwhelming demand for additional dates.
The Venue
Kleinhans Music Hall is located at 3 Symphony Circle in Buffalo, one of Western New York’s premier concert venues and a proper setting for an ensemble that performs at this level of precision. For more shows in the area, see all Buffalo / Western NY concerts.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now with all-in pricing — fees included. Get tickets for Leonid & Friends at Kleinhans Music Hall. VIP packages are available in limited quantities and include a meet & greet, group photo, and merchandise signing following the performance. Box office: (716) 885-5000.