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 a couple of numbers. DeMerle said that “Cam has already mastered the sax and should have a fine career as a professional musician. He really tore it up with us at the Bash.”

DeVane can play all types of saxophones including tenor, soprano, and baritone, but he is also now studying trumpet, trombone and piano to add to his arsenal of instruments. In the fall, he’ll join the University of North Florida’s Jazz Studies program to help further his goal to become a pro. DeVane sights saxophonist Benny Golson as a major influence plus lessons learned from FBHS band director Johnnie Robinson. A fan of the bebop era of jazz, he is especially fond of John Coltrane’s music, and he enjoys big band recordings, particularly those by Count Basie and Glenn Miller. Interestingly, he has a lofty plan for the future: “After graduation, I will move to Japan where I hope to establish a jazz club there. The country is well known for its appreciation of jazz, and I’d like to be able start a club, invite major league acts and hopefully play with them when possible.” Locally DeVane is a member of The Sailors Of Swing, a combo with two of his high school friends, Michael Awad and Collin Wrye.

AIJF’s Big Band Bash kicked off its show with a pulsating salute to four classic bands, including Woody Herman, Harry James, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. DeVane joined Eisele in a soulful take on “My Funny Valentine,” then dueled with veteran saxophonist Bill Prince on a rousing version of “Kansas City,” powered by DeMerle’s drumming and vocals. For the rest of the evening the orchestra offered a dazzling variety of styles that included tunes arranged or written by Louis Prima (“Jump Jive and Wail”), Cole Porter (“I’ve Got You Under My Skin”), Benny Goodman (“Sing Sing Sing”), plus a lively Motown medley of Four Tops and Temptations hits, all of which kept the dance floor packed. Eisele provided strong vocals on several big band favorites including “Almost like Being In Love,” and she demonstrated her Latin influences with “The Girl From Ipanema” and “Besame Mucho.”

Admission also included a sumptuous filet mignon dinner, and a varied silent auction that displayed “beautiful and exciting items to bid on, all donated to the Festival from businesses in our community,” DeMerle said. One of the Festival’s key sponsors, Park West Gallery, brought in several exquisite art pieces that were auctioned by the company’s well-spoken representative, Jason Castner.

The AIFJ’s BIG BAND BASH is the festival’s primary fundraiser in support of its Scholarship Awards program.

This year’s Amelia Island Jazz Festival will take place October 2-9 at various island locations with headliners that include the award-winning jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli and his Trio, renowned saxophonist and clarinetist Ken Peplowski, Trio Caliente and The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band, UNF Jazz Ensemble 2 and the Spare Rib Six Dixieland All-Stars.