Our Story
The Amelia Island Jazz Festival provides a rich, diverse cultural offering to the Amelia Island area by exposing thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds to the sounds, excitement and vitality of great jazz.
The Festival presents world-class jazz in many styles, including swing, bebop, Dixieland, big band, Latin, and contemporary. During the annual week-long festival, held every October since 2003, music is performed by jazz greats as well as fresh, up-and-coming young talent. Performances are staged in several venues around Amelia Island including the Courtyard | Springhill Suites Amelia Island by Marriott, Sadler Ranch, The Decantery, Mocama Beer Company and the Amelia Rec Center. The goal of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival is to help preserve the American art form Jazz by increasing the exposure and awareness of the music genre to the general public.
Founded in 2001, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival is fairly young as far as music festivals go. But this Festival has come a long way and is becoming a world- renowned musical event. In fact, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival seems to be following the footsteps of such festivals as the Monterey and Newport Jazz Festivals.
Like other renowned jazz festivals, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival benefits from the vision and energy of a veteran jazz professional who instantly gives the Festival a rich heritage:
Les DeMerle, Artistic Director. Under his leadership the Amelia Island Jazz Festival has delivered jazz greats to enthusiastic audiences on Amelia Island:
The Manhattan Transfer • The Tierney Sutton Band • Néstor Torres • John Pizzarelli Trio • Longineu Parsons • Steve March-Tormé • Delfeayo Marsalis • Jamil Sharif • Trio Caliente • Requinte Trio with Janis Siegel • Henry Johnson • Houston Person • Bria Skonberg • Kevin Mahogany • Larry Coryell • Randy Brecker • Tony Monaco • Mindi Abair • Royal Crown Revue • Spyro Gyra • David Benoit • Buckwheat Zydeco • Nicole Henry • Doug Cameron • Ramsey Lewis • David Sanborn • Christian Tamburr • Harry Allen • Marcus Printup • Bill Allred Classic Jazz Band • Richie Cole • Frank Tiberi • Barry Greene • Woody Herman Sax Section • Bobby Pickwood
The Mission of the Festival
As 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 and works to provide a rich, diverse jazz offering to the Amelia Island area.
It is doing this by offering educational programs and jazz workshops in area schools and senior centers and promote Amelia Island as a tourist destination by drawing jazz enthusiasts from around the nation and the world.
Past AIJF Performers
... this is what they had to say:
"Returning to the Amelia Island Jazz Festival in 2023 was a true delight. The audience's warmth and enthusiasm made it a memorable experience, just like in 2017."
"Performing at the 2023 Amelia Island Jazz Festival was pure magic. The audience's energy and appreciation made it unforgettable."
"The Amelia Island Jazz Festival in 2023 was electrifying! The vibrant energy and passionate audience made our performance unforgettable. Honored to participate!"
"Finally we made it to Amelia Island. Great audience, great fun performing at the Amelia Island Jazz Festival. It was worth the wait since we were postponed for the last two year."
"This is the second time at the Amelia Island Jazz Festival and it gets better every time. Love the vibe!"
2020 was a challenging year, however, Les managed for the Festival to go virtual. Had an amazing time performing. And it was great to be back at the 2022 Festival."
"Indeed, the Spirit of New Orleans is right here on Amelia Island! What a great experience! Thank you for inviting me."
"What a magical place! Amazing energy in the room. Love it!"
"It was an honor to finally perform at the Amelia Island Jazz Festival. What a magical night it was!"
"I was really looking forward to doing the Amelia Island Jazz Festival with Les DeMerle and his trio. It was amazing..."
"I loved to perform in front of this amazing audience. What a perfect place to have a Jazz Festival."
"... I admire you both (Les & Bonnie) for your beautiful spirits, hard work, ethics in business and your Big Talent! Les, you could power the Empire State building, such a great musician. Bonnie you were amazing as well. I'll never forget my concert with you guys and such a great audience.
"The Amelia Island Jazz Festival features outstanding musicians. It was a great honor to be invited. Keep up the great work!"
"Wow... the Amelia Island Jazz Festival sure knows how to put on a fantastic show and party. I had so much fun..."
"... it was great being here. Thanks for all the kindness and professionalism. Hope to play Amelia Jazz again!..."
"We, The Royal Crown Revue, had great time performing at this Festival. What an amazing audience you are! We hope to be back!"
"This Festival rocks! You've got something really good going here. I hope to be back soon...."
"...the Amelia Island Jazz Festival rocks. We had an amazing time here...."
"... what a great audience and an amazing place to have a Festival..."
"... so much love. This is a fabulous festival and a great place to hang out..." " Definitely... I look forward to coming back soon!"
"We had a ball! This Festival was so much fun.... Great place and great people!"
"This Festival is the 'real deal' because the focus is on true Jazz music. I look forward to be back..."
"A great swingin' festival in a beautiful setting. I had a ball and hope to be back soon."
"The Amelia Island Jazz Festival is authentic, exciting and charming. I love the island and I look forward to coming back soon."
"The vibe is right and the true spirit of jazz is alive and swingin'. The Amelia Island Jazz Festival is the best!"
