Donna The Buffalo

Donna The Buffalo has established a three-decade career as a roots-rock band and community organizers, creating enduring music festivals. After co-founding the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance in 1991, Donna The Buffalo cemented their legacy not only as a celebrated roots-rock band but also as pioneering community organizers. Fronted by Jeb Puryear on vocals and electric guitar and Tara Nevins on vocals, fiddle, guitar, accordion, and scrubboard, the band, formed in 1989, quickly cultivated a dedicated fanbase known as ‘The Herd’ with their distinctive blend of zydeco, folk rock, country rock, reggae, and Americana. The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival, initially conceived as an AIDS benefit, has grown into a four-day annual event attracting over 15,000 music enthusiasts and continuing to support arts and education.

In 2013, they released ‘Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday,’ demonstrating their consistent musical evolution. Further enhancing their commitment to community engagement, Donna The Buffalo introduced the GrassRoots Culture Camp in 2016, a four-day program offering workshops in music, art, dance, and movement. Their most recent studio album, ‘Dance in the Street,’ was released in 2018, showcasing their enduring presence and consistent output in the roots music scene. Donna The Buffalo remains active, continuing to tour and curate their influential festivals, reinforcing their lasting impact as both celebrated musicians and dedicated cultural architects.