BIG BAND | SAX & THE CITY: AN EVENING WITH STEVE KORTYKA

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music graduate Steve Kortyka is a nationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer and educator whose career has taken him from his Midwest roots to the heart of the New York City jazz scene and back again. A longtime member of Lady Gaga’s touring jazz band under the direction of Brian Newman, Kortyka has performed internationally with Tony Bennett as a featured soloist and orchestrator, contributing to multiple GRAMMY® Award–winning recordings along the way. His sound has echoed through Carnegie Hall, lit up “Saturday Night Live" and graced stages across the globe — and now it returns home for a powerhouse performance for the CCJO Redmoor series closing night!

Opening Act: NKU Jazz Ensemble

Music Sponsors: Brad Pickard & Vicki Young

Artist Sponsors: Steve Magas & Lisa Davidson-Magas

Orchestra Sponsor: Ed Lyon

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About the Artist: Steve Kortyka, tenor saxophone

Steve Kortyka is a nationally recognized saxophonist, composer and educator who recently relocated from NYC to Cleveland in 2025. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Kortyka has established himself as a first-call performer across a wide range of musical settings—from hard-swinging quartets to full orchestras. He is a long-time member of Lady Gaga’s touring jazz band under the direction of Brian Newman, having the unique opportunity to perform with the legendary Tony Bennett as a featured soloist on world tours and contributing orchestrations for many high-profile performances. His work as an arranger and soloist can be heard on multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning projects, and he has appeared on the stages of some of NYC’s most prestigious venues including "Saturday Night Live" backing up nationally acclaimed artists like RAYE, and at Carnegie Hall performing with Justin Hurwitz ("La La Land" LIVE). An active composer and recording artist, Steve has released multiple albums under his own name. In addition to performing, he is a passionate educator with a strong belief in the connection between improvisation, composition and personal expression—regularly giving clinics and masterclasses at high schools and universities nationwide.

Learn more at stevekortyka.com.