Les DeMerle

DRUMMER AND VOCALIST

Les DeMerle, a native of Brooklyn, NY, launched his career as drummer for jazz vibraphone great, Lionel Hampton. He then toured for 12 years with jazz trumpet master, Harry James, and recorded three albums with him including the Grammy Award winning, King James Version. Les’ own jazz/rock/fusion band, Transfusion, recorded five award-winning LPs. He has toured with Manhattan Transfer and appeared with such musical greats as Lou Rawls, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Joe Williams. A resident of Amelia Island since 1991, Les continues to perform at concerts, festivals and Jazz cruises with his trio, quartet and Dynamic Les DeMerle Big Band Orchestra featuring Bonnie Eisele, which has recorded 13 CD’s including their new recording, “Feelin’ Good”, an Origin Records release.