Upcoming Events
Performances, festivals, and events from the Jazz Club of Sarasota
Brandon Robertson & Friends
MNJC Spring Series
Brandon Robertson & Friends
Bassist Brandon Robertson and Friends present classic and contemporary jazz, and original compositions.
Brandon L. Robertson is an EMMY® nominated music director, notable Upright/Electric Bassist, Composer, and Music Educator originally from Tampa, FL.
From FGCI - Currently, Brandon is the Instructor of Jazz Studies & Director of the FGCU Basketball Band at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL. He has been featured as a performer and bandleader at various national jazz festivals, and has also toured 22 countries in Europe, traveling from the Mediterranean to the capital of Iceland.
Hot Club SRQ
MNJC Spring Series
Hot Club SRQ
Hot Club of SRQ - We play Gypsy Jazz that is deeply rooted in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. This music simply swings and is full of beauty and romance! We emulate the style of what the French call "Jazz Manouche" and "Le Jazz Hot" in the style of Sinti virtuosos and the "Quintette du Hot Club de France."
The heart of this ensemble is the violin and vocals of Keven Aland, the guitar of Jon McLaughlin, and the bass playing of Glenn Stevenson. Their string jazz ensemble has been thoughtfully cultivated and crafted for over a decade. There is a genuine warmth and connection that is unique to this ensemble. This group can swing ferociously, then suddenly hypnotize you with a beautiful ballad.
La Lucha
MNJC Spring Series
La Lucha
La Lucha is a Tampa Bay-based trio that consists of three best friends from three different parts of the world: Colombia (Alejandro Arenas), Mexico (John O’Leary), & United States (Mark Feinman).
Their music ventures boldly into a wide variety of musical styles, offering an appealing and fun mix of genres under the jazz umbrella. The combination of their musical versatility and varied musical influences makes for compelling virtuosic performances. Through an engaging stage presence and a high level of interaction, La Lucha brings the audience into their world.
Michael Ross - MNJC
Michael Ross - MNJC
Sarasota's Michael Ross: bassist, composer, bandleader—fusing swing & lyricism, from Tampa Bay to global jazz stages.
Michael Ross is a Pennsylvania-born jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader whose lyrical style and "fat acoustic bass sound" have made him a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay jazz scene.
Raised in Harrisburg, Ross was mentored by bass greats Cecil McBee, Dee Moses, and Jim Miller. By his late teens, he was traveling regularly to New York to study and immerse himself in the city's jazz clubs, even crossing paths with Charles Mingus. He later moved to Florida to study at the University of South Florida, treating his coursework like a conservatory program while quickly establishing himself on local stages.
Ross became a leader in two acclaimed ensembles: Liquid Bebop and the Michael Ross Quartet. His discography includes Doghouse (2000), Dog Eat Dog (2002), Year of the Dog (2004), and Ginger (2014), each showcasing his blend of muscular rhythm and melodic invention. His most recent release, Giraffe (2023), continues this trajectory, mixing originals with inventive takes on jazz standards.
As a sideman, Ross has collaborated with luminaries such as Nat Adderley, Jimmie Cobb, Herbie Mann, and Nathen Page, leaving a lasting imprint on Florida's jazz landscape. Critics often compare his melodic sensibility to Charlie Haden, noting his ability to balance thoughtful composition with swinging improvisation.
Beyond recordings, Ross thrives in live performance, often partnering with vocalist Fred Johnson in improvisatory projects that invite audience participation.
His artistry reflects both technical mastery and a deep commitment to jazz as a living, evolving conversation.
In sum, Michael Ross embodies the dual role of bassist and storyteller— anchoring ensembles while opening new musical possibilities with every note.