Jazz Thursday featuring The Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors Big Band

Join us for live jazz at Sarasota Art Museum, co-hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, featuring The Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors Big Band and extended hours in the galleries, Bistro, and SHOP!

Sip on refreshing cocktails and enjoy small bites in the Bistro. Each second Thursday of the month features a different style of jazz–from straight-ahead to free jazz, bebop to swing–programmed in partnership with Jazz Club of Sarasota. Galleries are open until 7 pm on Jazz Thursdays.

Jazz Thursday activities:

• Enjoy a performance from The Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors Big Band on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza from 5:30 pm to 8 pm

• Grab dinner and drinks at Bistro, which opens at 5 pm, serving a special evening menu, beer, wine, and cocktails.

• Explore the exhibitions in our galleries, with hours extended to 7 pm.

• Treasure hunt in SHOP all evening!

CHECK-IN

Check-in will take place outside of the main gates beginning at 4:30 pm - early entry will not be permitted.

For guest safety, personal chairs are not permitted on-site.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Food and Beverage are available for purchase on-site at the Bistro and at our cashless bars. Please refrain from bringing outside food and beverage.

Members always receive their 10% discount in SHOP.

Members receive a 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages in Bistro.

About The Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors Big Band

The Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors Big Band is led by its outstanding director, David DeWitt. A jazz orchestra instrumented in the style of the American “Big Band Era,” they comprise outstanding volunteer musicians from throughout Florida’s Suncoast, with roots and experience from literally every corner of our nation. 2025/26 will be their 39th year.

Their performances are as varied as the experiences of their members, with literature selected from the past century and half of our nation’s jazz history. This ranges from iconic arrangements from Duke Ellington and Count Basie, to developments of legendary band leaders like Stan Kenton and Woody Herman, to the contemporary sounds of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Also check out other Music events in Sarasota, Entertainment events in Sarasota, Arts events in Sarasota.