Free Downtown Festival Brings Live Music, Food, Vendors and Community Celebration to Library Park

The Waterbury Times|Community Events|July 30, 2026

WATERBURY — The sounds of contemporary jazz will once again fill downtown Waterbury as the Brass City Jazz Fest returns for its seventh year on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

The free, family-friendly festival will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Library Park, 267 Grand Street, bringing nationally recognized performers, local vendors, food, and community activities to one of the city’s most historic public spaces.

This year’s festival lineup includes several nationally recognized jazz artists, including Lemek and Quintin Gerard, whose music has collectively spent time at the top of the Billboard jazz charts.

Also performing will be the Lao Tizer Band featuring “American Idol” finalist Elliott Yamin, Billboard No. 1 smooth jazz saxophonist Ellis Hamilton, and The Frost Duo, featuring instrumentalist Christian Gratz and vocalist/pianist LeahBeth Evans.

Organizers say the six-hour event is designed to bring residents and visitors together for an evening of music, culture, and community.

The Brass City Jazz Fest is produced by Waterbury native Al Taylor of ACT Jams Productions in partnership with Main Street Waterbury and the City of Waterbury.

Taylor, a New York radio programmer and host of the syndicated contemporary jazz program “The Groove Show,” has continued building the festival into one of Waterbury’s signature summer events.

“We are excited to bring another year of world-class jazz to downtown Waterbury,” organizers said.

This year’s sponsors include Powerstation Events as the Harmony Sponsor, Eversource as the Rhythm Sponsor, and the Waterbury Arts & Tourism Commission and William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund as Improvisation Sponsors.

Free parking will be available throughout downtown.

For more information, visit brasscityjazzfest.com or contact Main Street Waterbury at 203-757-0701.