January 4, 2019

Les and Bonnie Jazzing Up the High Seas

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 with Eisele’ s well-honed vocals plus pianist Daniel Tenbusch and bassist Kenny Phelps-McKeown.

The group brings their high energy driven shows to the ship’s exclusive night club, Jazz On 4, which provides a classic jazz atmosphere. “We are swingin’ like crazy and havin’ a ball,” said DeMerle, who likened the setting to New York City’s finest jazz spots. “This room compliments our concept beautifully and the audiences are totally into the music. The room’s ambience is equivalent to world class Manhattan night clubs like the Blue Note or the Cafe Carlyle,” he added.

In addition to wishing all a happy and prosperous New Year, DeMerle announced upcoming Amelia Island Jazz Festival events for 2019: “Our 2nd annual AIJF Golf Tournament will take place on April 27 at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Club, and our annual Big Band Bash Scholarship Benefit Dinner/Dance, featuring the Dynamic Les DeMerle 17-Piece Orchestra, is set for Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, at the Omni Resorts Hotel.” DeMerle is also busy finalizing the performance schedule for the 2019 AIJF, which will be announced soon.