🎷 Jazz Thursdays at Sarasota Art Museum

Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota.

Unwind under the stars with friends - enjoy live jazz, wine & cocktails, inspiring art, and artsy shopping.

Host: Thank you, Peter for arriving early and saving seats for us and hosting. Anyone else who can arrive early to help, please do. Thank you!

🗓️ Every Second Thursday of the Month
🎶 Each month features a new jazz style—from bebop to swing, straight-ahead to free jazz—curated in partnership with the Jazz Club of Sarasota.

🎟️ Be sure to get your own Ticket:

• SAM Members: Free, but be sure to 👉 Reserve Your Spot: https://www.sarasotaartmuseum.org/jazz-thursdays/
• Not-Yet Members: become a member! Then every jazz concert is free! If you are not ready to do that, log in at the link above and purchase your ticket directly.
• $28.52 in advance ($33.52 at the door)
• Includes Museum admission - fun during intermission!

This Month’s Feature: Sarasota Jazz Project
Sarasota Jazz Project is a high-energy 17-piece jazz ensemble comprised of some of the finest musicians on the West Coast of Florida. These talented all-stars play both original compositions and standard tunes, creatively arranged in a unique contemporary Big Band style. Whether you dance, or listen or both, be prepared to be thoroughly entertained. The Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band performs at jazz concerts, clubs, schools/universities, private clubs, and Jazz Club of Sarasota events throughout the year.

Sarasota Jazz Project is a 17-piece Big Band dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and public performance of big band jazz music in Sarasota and the neighboring communities in the state of Florida. Founded in February 2010 by George McLean and George McLain (no relation!), the band is comprised of the best available local musicians, including professional jazz musicians with long resumes and careers in performing with top-name bands and jazz musicians throughout the world. Members also include local music teachers and educators; working musicians who perform regularly in local theaters, orchestras and cabaret venues; and other serious local musicians who maintain “day jobs” and play jazz for the sheer pleasure and exhilaration of being part of this true American art form.

While respecting and performing music of great big bands of the past led by such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Glen Miller, the Sarasota Jazz Project emphasizes the work of modern composers and arrangers such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Quincy Jones, and Gil Evans. Perhaps the most distinctive element of the Sarasota Jazz Project repertoire is its great collection of popular music and standards arranged in new and exciting jazz settings by the very best current musical arrangers in the world, including George Stone, Brad Morey, Gary Urwin, Ed Vizinho, Don Schamber and John Clayton.

What’s Happening
🎺 Live Jazz on the Plaza
5:30–8:00 PM | Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza
🍷 Bistro Delights
Opens at 5:00 PM with a special menu + beer, wine & cocktails (credit cards only)
🖼 Gallery Nights
Extended hours until 7:00 PM—explore the exhibits
🛍 Treasure Hunt in SHOP
Browse unique finds.

RSVP Etiquette
✅ If your plans change, please be respectful and update your RSVP. We save seats and don’t want to take one away from another patron if your plans change. 🚫 If you fail to update your RSVP (barring emergencies), we may not hold a seat for you in the future.

Event Day Details
✅ Check-in starts at 4:30 PM outside the main gates. *If you are able to join me at 4:30 pm to grab seats, that would be fantastic!*
✅ Thank you for bringing sweaters & bags to mark the seats as taken.
🚫 No early entry, no personal chairs, no outside food/drinks.
🍴 Bistro & bars open until 7:30 PM.

Why Join SAM?

• Free Jazz Thursdays every month!
• Free Museum admission
• 10% off Shop & Bistro (non-alcoholic drinks)

🎵 We can’t wait to see you at Jazz Thursday—where the music is hot, the drinks are cold, and the vibes are mellow! 💃🕺