Amelia Island Jazz Festival
The Amelia Island Jazz Festival will once again light up the island on October 2 – 9, 2011. The week-long festival consists of a series of events celebrating this diverse all-American art form, with headliner, Grammy Award-winning Zydeco artist Buckwheat Zydeco. The band which the New York Times recently called “one of the best party bands in America”, will perform Saturday, October 8 in the courtyard at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach.
Also appearing at the 2011 Amelia Island Jazz Festival will be internationally acclaimed singer Nicole Henry with her eight-piece group. She will perform Friday, October 7 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Les deMerle
The creative director, Les deMerle, has again attracted world-class jazz artists in a wide variety of styles to the event. Festival goers can enjoy a wide variety of jazz from Dixieland, Smooth Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Blues, Latin and to new, state-of-the-art styles. The festival takes place at the First Baptist Church auditorium, at the beautiful St. Peter’s Church Courtyard and at a selction of charming venues around Fernandina Beach.
Other performers for the 2011 Festival will include Virgin Records recording artist, violinist Doug Cameron, special guest with the Les DeMerle Band featuring Bonnie Eisele with “Gypsy Rendezvous” a tribute to the late great fiddler and Django Reinhardt accompanist Stephane Grapelli.
Gypsy Rendezvous
Hot Club of France Revisited featuring The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band with vocalist Extraordinaire -Bonnie Eisele and Special Guest Jazz Violinist - Doug Cameron
Toots Lorraine and the Traffic
Slick & Sassy Ultra Lounge Blues
Impacto Latino
Hot 10-Piece Salsa Band - Tito Puente Tribute Show & Dance
Orion 19-Piece US Navy Big Band S.E.
Big Band Sounds
Jimmy Smith Tribute
True Blue Organ Quartet featuring Scott Giddens
2010 & 2011 AIJF Scholarship Winners
Vibest Nathan Skinner and Saxophonist John Sheard and the Next Generation Jazz Band
The Spare Rib Six
N’awlins Style Dixieland
Sounds on Centre
Friday September 29, 2011
On September 29, 2011, don’t forget to visit Sounds on Centre in downtown Fernandina. This event will feature The Les DeMerle Jazz Party Band with special guests, the New Orleans-style TGIF Navy Band.
It’s a free community concert from 6 pm – 8 pm. Read more about Sounds on Centre here.
Jazz in the Park
October 2, 2011, from 2 pm – 4 pm
Jazz in the Park – free concert with 9-Piece US Navy Band Southeast VIP Combo. This group will perform a variety of jazz standards and instrumental popular music. This event takes place on Park Street near the YMCA (between 14th and Citrona).
“Jazz At The Movies”: Jazz On A Summer’s Day
October 4, 2011, from 7 pm – 9 pm
a documentary on the first Newport Jazz Festival with Louis Armstrong, Anita O’Day, Thelonious Monk, Dinah Washington, Chuck Berry and Gerry Mulligan.
“Red, White & Blues” Blues Concert and Wine Tasting
October 5, 2011, from 7 pm – 10 pm
featuring Toots Lorraine & The Traffic
“Latin Jazz” – Concert & Dance
October 6, 2011, from 7 pm to 10 pm
featuring Impacto Latino - Hot, 10-Piece Salsa Band Tribute to Tito Puente & Santana
Friday October, 7, 2011
5 – 6 pm Live Jazz in the Food Court
6 – 7 pm “Jazz at 6″ featuring Saxophonist John Sheard, 2011 AIJF Scholarship Winner with The Next Generation Jazz Band
7 – 8 pm Gypsy Rendezvous with The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band and Bonnie Eisele performing music from their newest CD on Origin Records featuring Special Guest Jazz Violinist, Doug Cameron
8 – 9:30 pm Headliner Concert:Nicole Henry in Concert - Sultry Jazz & Pop Vocalist Extraordinaire
10 pm – ’till… Late Night Super Jam Session
Saturday, October 8, 2011
5 – 6 pm Live Jazz in the Food Court
6 – 7 pm “Jazz at 6″ featuring Nathan Skinner, 2010 AIJF Scholarship Winner & Good Vibes with Special Guest – John Sheard, Saxophone
7 – 8 pm True Blue – Tribute To Jimmy Smith featuring Scott Giddens, Organ with Special Guest Barry Greene, Guitar
8 – 9:30 pm Headliner Concert:Buckwheat Zydeco In Concert
Legendary Grammy Award-Winning, Show-Stopping Dynamo from Lafayette, LA on Accordion, Organ, Vocals with his Hard-Groovin’ Party Band.
10 pm – ’till…Late Night Super Jam Session - Battle of the Saxes featuring Don Zentz, Tenor Saxophone, and Special Guests
Sunday, October 9, 2011
“Dixieland Jazz Brunch” (First Seating 12 – 2 pm, Second seating 2 pm – 4 pm)
featuring “The Spare Rib Six” New Orleans-style Jazz Band withLes DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele
For tickets and more information, visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com.
