The Amelia Island Jazz Festival swung through its online virtual shows this past weekend with searing jazz that thrilled hundreds of fans locally, nationally, and in several foreign countries, including Russia and Romania. “We could not be more pleased,” said AIJF Artistic Director Les DeMerle. “It was definitely a technical challenge but given the terrific support of our Board Of Directors, volunteers, wonderful musicians, and a bank of computers, we proudly pulled it off,” he added.

The Friday, October 9, show, A SALUTE TO THE DUKE celebrated the music of the incomparable Duke Ellington and featured The Dynamic Les DeMerle Quartet with Bonnie Eisele, vocals, multi-instrumentalist Dr. Bill Prince, Doug Matthews, piano, Ernie Ealum, bass and DeMerle, drums. The show began with a swinging instrumental arrangement by bassist, Ray Brown of “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”, then rolled through a pair of Ellington classics “Cotton Tail,” and “In a Mellow Tone,” before Eisele took the stage and added vocals for “Take The A Train,” “Satin Doll,” a sultry rendition of “I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good,” and “Beginning To See The Light.” DeMerle then introduced the Festival’s 2020 Scholarship winner, drummer Janae Yates, a 2020 graduate of Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts, Jacksonville who is attending Florida State University. Yates replaced DeMerle on drums for a superb poly-rhythmic take on “Perdido.” Matthews showed off his piano dexterity with a blazing “C-Jam Blues” after which Ealum pulled out his bow and played a melodic “Sophisticated Lady” on his upright bass. The band then rocked the house with a rousing “Caravan” that featured a distinctive and powerful drum solo by DeMerle. Saturday’s headliner, trumpeter Longineu Parsons sat in with the group for “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be,” during which they segued in and out of Ruth Brown’s “Mama, You Treat Your Daughter Mean,” a tune penned by prolific Jacksonville songwriter Charlie “Hoss” Singleton. DeMerle presented a heartfelt tribute to two AIJF favorites, saxophonist Richie Cole and guitarist Dan Voll, both of whom passed away recently. Eisele sang the Cole classic, “New York Afternoon” as a dedication to these two great musicians. A vocal version of “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” led into the evening’s final song, Ray Charles’ “Get On The Right Track , Baby” with DeMerle handling vocals backed by Eisele and Yates, recreating the Gospel sound of the Raelettes.

The Saturday, October 10, headlining event, TO SATCHMO LOVE paid tribute to the music of one of jazz’s gifted originators, Louis Armstrong, and featured legendary trumpeter Longineu Parsons along with The Dynamic Les DeMerle Quartet (same personnel as above except for Prince). A classically trained trumpeter, Parsons is well known for his Armstrong interpretations, and he showed off a mastery of Satchmo’s style, both on trumpet and vocally. Not only did he nail the Armstrong delivery, but he injected his own intricate riffs that added to the fun. Beginning with an uptempo rendition of “Back Home Again In Indiana,” the band reeled off near definitive takes on Armstrong staples including “Basin Street Blues,” “Tin Roof Blues,” “St. James Infirmary,” “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans (with vocals by Eisele), the obligatory “Hello Dolly,” “Black And Blue,” and after a hilarious introduction by Parsons, “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You.” Parsons also provoked laughs with his suggestive tune, “The S.O.L. Blues” and followed with Armstrong’s big hit, “What A Wonderful World.” Eisele returned to sing “Alright, Okay, You Win,” with DeMerle and the show concluded with a medley of traditional Crescent City second line gems, “Bourbon Street Parade” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

On Sunday, October 11, the WJCT Electro Lounge Jazz Brunch radio program presented highlights of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival over the past 17 years of great performances. Compiled meticulously and narrated by DeMerle, highlights included David Sanborn, Ramsey Lewis, Nestor Torres, Houston Person, Delfeayo Marsalis, Bria Skonberg, and the Les DeMerle Band.

“We had a grand time keeping the Festival alive virtually,” said DeMerle, “but we look forward to hopefully getting back in front of live audiences in 2021. We’ll keep you posted and keep swinging!”

A not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival, distributes proceeds toward a scholarship program to fund college educations for aspiring jazz musicians.

By Michael Rothschild