Born and raised in Ohio, Steve Kortyka discovered jazz through Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, and John Coltrane. Originally trained as a classical saxophonist, he embraced improvisation and built a dynamic career.

Steve began performing in Cincinnati with Ray’s Music Exchange and the Brian Newman Quintet before serving as a Musical Director and Arranger for Carnival and Princess Cruise Lines. After moving to New York in 2011, he recorded four albums as a leader and held extensive residencies with the Brian Newman Quintet at The Django, The Rose Bar, the Jazz Club at the Aman and the Flat Iron Room. He was also a featured soloist and arranger in Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s Grammy-winning jazz ensemble, contributing to Cheek to Cheek (2014) and Love for Sale (2021), as well as Lady Gaga’s Jazz & Piano show in Las Vegas.

Steve has performed at Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, and Dizzy’s Club and appeared on SNL, The Tonight Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Now back in Ohio, he mentors young musicians at the Tri-C JazzFest Academy and runs an online improvisation studio.