Article Contributed by Jazz Promo Services
Published on 2026-07-13
Set in the rolling Litchfield Hills, the 31st Annual Litchfield Jazz Festival salutes the 30th Anniversary of Litchfield Jazz Camp and the 45th year of Litchfield Performing Arts, the not-for-profit that started it all.
The lineup of that first Festival back in 1996 would be the envy of any major festival today — with Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Russell Malone, Peter Bernstein, Ahmad Jamal, Renee Rosnes, JJ Johnson, Rufus Reid and others. If you remember this or any of the wonderful festivals that followed, you won’t want to miss Litchfield Jazz Festival 2026.
State of the Art Performance Hall
The Litchfield Jazz Festival is presented in the Tisch Auditorium at the Thomas Perakos Performing Arts Center. This state-of-the-art hall has excellent acoustics and great sight lines, and it’s cool and comfortable in summer heat. The Center is the showpiece of the Frederick Gunn School, a private secondary school in Washington, CT.
Friday, July 24, Best Friend and Friday Patron ticket holders will enjoy music by top Litchfield Jazz Camp Combos, hors d'oeuvres, and fine French wines from Vandoren Vineyards, and libations from Litchfield Distillery. Gala tickets include reserved section seating for the Opening Night Concert. General admission tickets are also available for the concert.
Saturday, July 25, ticket options include Best Friends and Friends VIP packages with prime, reserved and general admission seating, all with perfect sight lines, in the air-conditioned Tisch Auditorium. Refreshments are available on-site for purchase.
Sunday, July 26, on the final day of the Festival, you won’t want to miss the popular Sunday Jazz Brunch at Frederick Gunn School in the Bourne Courtyard. Brunch tickets, included in Best Friend packages, may be purchased separately. Guests will have a rousing good time with a delicious buffet, beverages and amazing music. The Brunch sells out every year, so get your tickets early.
For the complete lineup, sidemen included, visit litchfieldjazzfest.com/festival-line-up-2026.
The Lineup/Schedule of Festival Events
Friday, July 24
Opening Night Gala
5:45 pm – Start your Festival in style at the gala and support Litchfield Jazz Camp scholarships, with music by Litchfield Jazz Camp Stars.
Friday Evening Show
7:45 pm - Don Braden & The Litchfield Jazz Fest Dectet with Jen Allen, piano; Sean Pentland, bass; Anton Kot, drums; Dave Ballou, trumpet; Peter McEachern, trombone; Albert Rivera, Kris Allen, Andrew Hadro, and Don Braden, saxophones.
Saturday, July 25
2:00 pm – Jimmy Greene Quintet with Christian Sands, piano; Matt Dwonszyk, bass; Jonathan Barber, drums; Mike Godette, guitar; Jimmy Greene, saxophone.
3:45 pm – Steve Davis Sextet with Mike DiRubbo, alto; Julian Shore, piano; Avery Sharpe, bass; Abena Koomson-Davis, vocals; Steve Johns, drums; Steve Davis, trombone.
5:30 pm - Paul Bollenback Quintet with Alejandra Williams, piano; Dezron Douglas, bass; Albert Rivera, saxophone; Jerome Jennings, drums; Paul Bollenback, guitar.
7:15 pm - Curtis Brothers Trio with Zaccai Curtis, piano; Luques Curtis, bass; Richie Barshay, drums.
Sunday, July 26
31st Anniversary Brunch at Noon - Steve Kortyka Sextet with Will Evans, piano; Ian Carroll, drums; Sam Dingle, bass; Jean Caze, trumpet; Anson Jones, vocals; and Steve Kortyka, saxophone.
To learn more and read artist bios, visit www.litchfieldjazzfest.com.
