Festival Event · Sunday, July 26, 2026 · 12:00 PM

With summer and the jazz season right around the corner, the Litchfield Jazz Festival celebrates 31 years of proudly presenting nothing but the best in jazz. On Sunday, July 26th, we welcome you to the ever-popular Litchfield Jazz Brunch. This sell-out event, like all the sets this year, features artists whose jazz roots were planted long ago in the rich soil of Litchfield Jazz Camp. The al fresco party is held in the lovely Bourne Courtyard, with music arranged and performed by saxophonist Steve Kortyka and his powerhouse Sextet, Jazz Camp stalwarts all: Will Evans on piano, Ian Carroll on drums, Sam Dingle on bass, trumpet star Jean Caze, and the stunning young vocalist Anson Jones.

Meet the Artist: Steve Kortyka

Steve Kortyka is a fixture on the Cincinnati jazz scene and is perhaps best known for his work with Lady Gaga’s jazz and piano band. He appears on tour and on Grammy-winning projects as a soloist and arranger.

Will Evans received his Masters from Manhattan School of Music in 2023 and released Serpentine, his debut album of original compositions, in 2025.

Ian Carroll and Sam Dingle are road warriors, busy constantly with performing and teaching.

Haitian-born Jean Caze has spent nearly two decades touring with Michael Bublé. Now a Florida resident, he is active on the Miami jazz scene.

Anson Jones, at 27, took her degree at Princeton and completed a Fulbright year in Paris composing. Now, with the world her oyster, she is deep diving into style choices. Nice problem to have: she’s good at all of them.

The Steve Kortyka Sextet

Six Litchfield Jazz Camp artists bring the Brunch to life:

The Brunch

Those who love their food as much as their music will be happy to hear that Litchfield’s favorite caterer, Chef Charlene, will be serving up her always-delicious brunch selections: bagels and lox, chicken salad, sweet potato home fries, fruit salad, Caesar salad, crustless spinach quiche (with or without bacon), brioche bread pudding with bourbon butterscotch, and a full dessert bar. Guests can pair these treats with Vandoren Vineyards’ wines and our Tegan’s Signature Sangria. Glad to have you with us!