Presented by: School of American Music

Saturday tickets are good for all three shows:

• 1pm ET: Merrimans’ Playhouse Open Mic Showcase featuring the Merrimans’ Playhouse Players

• 6pm ET: Patti Shaffner with Buddy Pearson & Leandro Lopez Varady

• 8pm ET: Sam Burckhardt with Jeremy Kahn + Jake Vinsel

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1pm: Merrimans’ Playhouse Players featuring Stephen and Mary Merriman

The day begins at 1:00 PM EDT with the Merrimans’ Playhouse Players Open Mic Showcase, bringing one of jazz’s most cherished traditions – the open session – to Harbor Country.

Led by Stephen Merriman (drums) and Mary Merriman (acoustic bass), and featuring Titus Arko (piano), Maximilian Wilfinger (trumpet), Andrew Fisher (vocals), and Scott Campbell (tenor saxophone), this dynamic ensemble will perform and host an interactive musical experience rooted in jazz standards, creativity, and spontaneous collaboration.

Open sessions are at the heart of jazz culture—a place where musicians gather, often for the first time, to listen, respond, and create together in real time. Audience members are welcome to sit back and enjoy, while musicians of all levels are invited to bring their instruments and join in. Simply check in with the band and they’ll work you into the session.

At its core, this experience celebrates the democratic nature of jazz: musicians working together as equals, building something unique in the moment, and learning from one another along the way.

Bring your instrument, your ears, and your friends.

Egos stay at the door – collaboration begins here!

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6pm: Patti Shaffner with Leandro Lopez Varady and Buddy Pearson

Kicking off the evening’s lineup of cool jazz, Patti Shaffner brings her signature warmth, versatility, and emotional depth to the stage. A seasoned performer equally at home in folk, blues, jazz, theater, and improvisational singing, Patti’s performances are both dynamic and deeply personal—offering music that speaks to the heart and celebrates our shared longing for love, hope, and connection.

An award-winning songwriter, Patti’s original song “Blessings” earned First Place in the Singer/Songwriter category of The Great American Song Contest in 2015. She has studied improvisational singing with jazz luminary Bobby McFerrin and renowned vocalist Rhiannon, and is known for her mastery of spontaneous vocal expression and collaborative musical storytelling.

Joining Patti is Leandro Lopez Varady, a Chicago-based pianist, composer, and arranger whose artistry blends jazz spontaneity with classical sophistication. Known for his lyrical phrasing, rhythmic sensitivity, and inspired improvisation, Leandro has performed internationally and collaborated with acclaimed ensembles including the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.

Holding down the groove is veteran bassist Buddy Pearson, a respected force in the Midwest jazz scene whose 40-year career has included performances with artists such as Jerry Bergonzi, Fareed Haque, and Umphrey’s McGee, as well as opening for legends including Robert Cray, Wayne Newton, and Gladys Knight. His masterful technique and deep musicality bring richness and soul to every performance.

Together, this trio promises an evening of expressive, genre-crossing jazz—perfectly setting the tone for a memorable night at Jazz Fest 2026.

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8pm: Sam Burckhardt with Jeremy Kahn and Jake Vinsel

A veteran of both the Chicago blues and jazz scenes, Sam Burckhardt brings more than four decades of musical mastery to the stage. A native of Basel, Switzerland, Burckhardt moved to Chicago in 1982 and quickly became immersed in the city’s rich blues tradition, performing with legends such as Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Johnson, Bob Stroger, and Maria Muldaur. As founder of the Sam Burckhardt Combo and leader of his own Airway Records label, he has released fifteen recordings and earned international recognition for his “impressive technique, musical imagination, and relentless sense of swing.”

Joining him is acclaimed pianist Jeremy Kahn, one of Chicago’s most respected jazz pianists and educators. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Kahn studied under the legendary Jaki Byard and spent twelve years in New York before returning to Chicago, where he has become a fixture at iconic venues including The Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Andy’s, and Winter’s Jazz Club. His career includes performances with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, and Sheila Jordan.

Anchoring the trio is bassist Jake Vinsel, a dynamic and versatile performer known throughout Chicago for his deep groove and intuitive musicianship. Vinsel has performed alongside celebrated artists including Diane Schuur, Roberta Gambarini, Ben Paterson, Marquis Hill, and jazz legends Jimmy Cobb and Buddy Guy, bringing a rich and grounded energy to every performance.

Fresh off their collaboration on the acclaimed recording Lucky Dragonfly, Burckhardt, Kahn, and Vinsel deliver a set that blends original compositions, jazz standards, and blues-infused improvisation—bringing warmth, swing, and masterful storytelling to the stage.