News

• February 14, 2022

  Jazz Festival Names 2022 Scholarship Winner at Big Band Bash

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival, News

  0 comments

  18-year-old Cameron DeVane, a gifted saxophone player from Fernandina Beach, is the winner of this year’s college scholarship from the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, it was announced by Artistic Director, Les DeMerle, at the Festival’s annual Big Band Bash on February 14 at the Courtyard by Marriott. A senior at Fernandina Beach High School, DeVane, accepted the award during the event and sat in with the Dynamic Les DeMerle Orchestra, featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele, for[…]

  Continue ...
• June 26, 2020

  AIJF Reschedules Big Band Bash

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival, News

  0 comments

  Social distancing measures will be in place for gala Amelia Island Jazz Festival’s Big Band Bash, a popular dinner/dance benefit gala that will feature the Dynamic Les DeMerle 17-piece Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Bonnie Eisele, will now be held 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, in an expanded Amelia Ballroom at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, according to a news release. Omni is allowing event organizers to use four ballrooms in order for guests to follow[…]

  Continue ...
• January 4, 2019

  Les and Bonnie Jazzing Up the High Seas

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival, News

  0 comments

  by Michael Rothschild Amelia Island Jazz Festival stalwarts Les DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele are spending the holidays and beyond performing with their dynamic new Jazz Quartet on one of the world’s largest cruise ships, the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, out of Port Canaveral, FL. The 7 day cruise itineraries alternate between the Eastern and Western Caribbean and continue through the winter. The new lineup features DeMerle, the AIJF’s Artistic Director, on drums along[…]

  Continue ...
• October 19, 2018

  Strong Musicianship and Great Crowds Highlight the 2018 AIJF

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival, News

  0 comments

  by Michael Rothschild Boosted by beautiful weather and headliner performances from the exquisite Brazilian styled Requinte Trio, with singer Janis Siegel, plus impeccable guitarist Henry Johnson, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival celebrated its 15th anniversary with a dazzling array of styles and genres. Requinte Trio’s expertly crafted set featured intricate Latin rhythms and vocals, that ended with an audience participation finale on the song, “Tio Mocaco” that had the crowd on its feet and dancing.[…]

  Continue ...
• March 13, 2018

  Park West and Scott Jacobs Help Raise Funds for Young Musicians

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival, News

  0 comments

  by Park West Gallery When Park West Gallery teams up with its artists for a good cause, they make great music together. Park West Gallery helped raise $7,000 for the Amelia Island Jazz Festival’s music scholarship program during the festival’s 7thAnnual Big Band Bash gala on February 17. The Amelia Island Jazz Festival is a non-profit organization that provides funds to aspiring jazz musicians. Spearheaded by iconic drummer Les DeMerle, the organization’s outreach programs also include music education[…]

  Continue ...
• January 16, 2018

  DeMerle Big Band to Celebrate 27th Anniversary at Big Band Bash

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival, News

  0 comments

  “My Big Band, which features some of the finest Jazz musicians and Jazz Educators in the world, is thrilled to be celebrating its 27th anniversary at the Amelia Island Jazz Festival’s seventh annual Valentine’s Day BIG BAND BASH,” said Les DeMerle , the AIJF’s Artistic Director.

  Continue ...
• March 9, 2017

  Néstor Torres and Roseanna Vitro – Headliners at the 2017 Festival

  Festival Events, News

  0 comments

  Venerable jazz flautist Néstor Torres and Grammy nominated vocalist Roseanna Vitro are set to headline the 2017 Amelia Island Jazz Festival, it was announced this week by AIJF Artistic Director Les DeMerle. A highly influential player with dozens of albums to his credit, Torres will appear on Saturday, October 14. He has recorded for a number of prestigious labels including Polygram, Shanachie, and Sony Latin Jazz. Inspired by musicians like Cal Tjader, Dave Brubeck, and[…]

  Continue ...
• February 1, 2017

  DeMerle Brings World Class Musicians and Art to BIG BAND BASH

  News

  0 comments

  by Michael Rothschild “My Big Band features some of the finest Jazz musicians and Jazz Educators in the world”, said Les DeMerle in advance of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival’s sixth annual BIG BAND BASH, “Salute to the Bands”, to be held Sunday, February 12, 2017 from 7:00 – 10:00 PM, in the Amelia Ballroom at the Omni Resorts Amelia Island Plantation.

  Continue ...
• August 31, 2016

  Amelia Island Jazz Festival Names 2016 Scholarship Winner

  News

  0 comments

  18 year old Thomas Milovac, a gifted bassist from Clermont, FL, will be honored with a college scholarship from the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, it was announced today by AIJF Artistic Director Les DeMerle. A member of the Florida All State Band while attending East Ridge High School, Milovac will accept the festival’s annual award when he performs at the 2016 Amelia Island Jazz Festival, October 2-9, at various venues in Fernandina Beach. He will[…]

  Continue ...
• May 24, 2016

  Lebo chosen as 2016 Amelia Island Jazz Festival Artist

  News

  0 comments

  by Park West Gallery David Le Batard, also known as the artist Lebo, will loan his artistic talents to the 13th Annual Amelia Island Jazz Festival as its official artist. Lebo follows Tim Yanke, who served as the official artist in 2015. Lebo will create art that is featured on posters, shirts, flyers and other materials related to the festival, held at several venues on Amelia Island in Florida from Oct. 2-9. “Being chosen for[…]

  Continue ...