Jazz Thursday featuring Ruffus 4tet

Join us for live jazz at Sarasota Art Museum, co-hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, featuring Ruffus 4tet 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 Ruffus 4tet 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.

Cancellations received with less than 72-hour notice are non-refundable.

About Ruffus 4tet

Rafael Silva, professionally known as Ruffus, is a Brazilian saxophonist, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, and arranger originally from Santos, Brazil.

Throughout his career, Ruffus has performed extensively across the United States and internationally, touring throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Peru, and Brazil.

Today, Ruffus is a full-time music educator at a Suzuki-based Conservatory in Sarasota, Florida, while maintaining an active performance schedule throughout the state. Equally comfortable on saxophone, piano, flute, trumpet, and electric bass, he performs with a wide variety of ensembles spanning jazz, Brazilian music, funk, and contemporary styles.

As a composer and recording artist, Ruffus is currently working on his second album for Inner Circle Music, while leading several original projects, including his newest quartet featuring Mark DeRose on drums, Alejandro Arenas on acoustic bass, Gary Shutes on trombone, and Ruffus on saxophone, piano, and trumpet.

Whether performing, composing, teaching, or arranging, Ruffus brings a lifelong dedication to musical excellence, versatility, and artistic expression. His performances combine technical mastery, stylistic diversity, and a deep passion for connecting with audiences through music.