Brochure and Web Site Design - Studio CB Photography (904) 491-7630

The 2016 Amelia Island Jazz Festival concerts promise to explode with exciting swinging jazz, played with passion, expertise and soul by many of today’s leading jazz artists. This year’s headliners are Jazz Sax Legend, Houston Person and exciting Trumpet and Vocal sensation Bria Skonberg. In addition we are proud to present the exciting return of the hot Latin band, Trio Caliente. The Amelia Island Jazz Festival

Experience sizzling

provides a rich, diverse cultural offering to the Amelia Island area by exposing thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds to the sounds, excitement and vitality of great jazz — a uniquely American art form.

Music is performed by jazz greats as well as fresh, up-and-coming young talent.

Performances are staged in several venues around Amelia Island: the beautiful St. Michael Parish Hall, Sandy Bottoms Bar & Grill, Horizons Gourmet Restaurant, the Florida House Inn, Arte Pizza and Amelia Park.

The cornerstone of the Festival is its Educational Programs led by Les DeMerle, the Festival’s Artistic Director. These programs include Jazz in Schools, Jazz for Kids and Jazz for Seniors.

The Festival’s educational programs culminate in the Amelia Island Jazz Festival Scholarship. This financial award goes to deserving high school musicians who demonstrate strong potential to perform jazz at the collegiate level.

Buy Tickets Today!Online

AmeliaIslandJazzFestival.com

The UPS StoreIsland Walk Shopping Center

1417 Sadler RoadFernandina Beach, FL 32034

(904) 277-0820

At the Door(if not sold out)

AIFBY Chamber of Commerce961687 Gateway Blvd. #101G

Amelia Island, FL 32034(904) 261-3248

“Come to the 2016 Amelia Island Jazz Festival and become part of an amazing jazz experience.Each year’s talent roster is the best line-up we can assemble and this year makes no exception!Be prepared for extraordinary jazz music which includes our headliners and many other guest surprises.”

-Les DeMerle, Artistic Director, Amelia Island Jazz Festival

“I am honored to be the official poster artists of the 2016 Amelia Island Jazz Festival. Can’t wait to check it out!”~David “Lebo” Le Batard (poster art 2016) PARK WEST GALLERY

Les DeMerle and 2015 Headliner, Kevin Mahogany

Jazz Hotline: (904) 504-4772

Use this QR Code to connect to our website with your phone.

A not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival distributes proceeds toward a scholarship program to fund college educations for aspiring jazz musicians and works to provide a rich, diverse jazz offering to the Amelia Island area. “LIKE” the Amelia Island Jazz Festival on Facebook

October 2-9, 2016

Les DeMerle

Bonnie EiseleHouston Person

Bria Skonberg

& more...Exciting Concerts, Clinics, Jam Sessions Rosewell

Susanne M.

BartonEugene & Diane

SmallwoodMr. & Mrs Donald

David “Lebo” Le Batard

Les DeMerle

JAZZ!

Houston Person

Bria Skonberg

Les DeMerle & Bonnie Eisele

Renowned drummer, band leader and Jazz Festival Artistic Director, Les has played with Harry James and The Manhattan Transfer. In the words of Downbeat magazine, DeMerle and powerhouse vocalist, Bonnie Eisele, are: “Upbeat from the downbeat, one of the most exciting acts on the jazz scene today”.

The Dynamic Les DeMer le Band with Bonnie Eisele

Bria Skonberg

Houston Person

Sunday, October 2 • 2 pm - 4 pm

Jazz in the Park - Free Concert at Amelia ParkPark Street near the YMCA (between 14th and Citrona, Fernandina Beach, FL) Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

BBQ available by Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen

Featuring: the exciting 21 piece University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble directed by Dennis Marks

Monday, October 3 • 7 pm - 10 pm

Jazz Festival Sponsor PartyHorizons Gourmet Restaurant5472 First Coast Hwy. - Amelia Island, FL

A very special evening featuring the Les DeMerle Jazz All-Stars with Bonnie Eisele - vocals, Doug Matthews - piano, Ernie Ealum - bass, plus special guest Dr. Bill Prince.

By invitation only for Bronze Saxophone Sponsors and above

Wednesday, October 5 • 7 pm - 10 pm

Jump, Jive And Wail/Swing Night Concert & Dance Sandy Bottoms Beach Bar & Grill2910 Atlantic Avenue Fernandina Beach, FL - Main Beach

Featuring: The Dynamic Les DeMerle Little Big Band with Bonnie Eisele - vocals, Steve Strawley - trumpet, Clarence Hines - trombone, Al Waters - saxophone, Doug Matthews - piano and Ernie Ealum - bass.

Tickets: $30 per person (Cash Bar - Food Available)

Thursday, October 6 • 7 pm - 10 pm

Hot Latin Jazz - Concert & Dance Sandy Bottoms Beach Bar & Grill2910 Atlantic Avenue Fernandina Beach, FL - Main Beach

Featuring: Trio Caliente - Flamenco, Pop, and Brazilian Jazz that has been enjoyed all around the world.

Tickets: $30 per person (Cash Bar - Food Available) Sunday, October 9

Seating 1: 11 am - 12:30 pm • Seating 2: 1 - 2:30 pm

Dixie to Swing Jazz Brunch at the Florida House Inn22 South 3rd Street - Fernandina Beach, FL

Featuring: The Spare Rib Six Dixieland Band, J.B. Scott - trumpet Bill Prince - clarinet, Clarence Hines - trombone, Mike Levine - piano, Dennis Marks - bass, Les DeMerle - drums and Bonnie Eisele - vocals, plus special surprise guests

Tickets: $60 per person (Includes Special Jazz Festival Menu. Cash bar available)

Concert events are open seating. VIP tickets guarantee seating within the front row sections. All ticket levels include access to the Jam Session.

Schedule subject to changeThe Spare Rib Six

Vocalist Lisa Kelly

Thomas Milovac

2016 Schedule of Concerts & Events

VIP Jazz Passes available online $225 ($250 Value )access to all General Admission events (except the ‘Sponsor Party’ - Oct. 3)

www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com

Friday, October 7 • 7 pm - 10 pm

Jazz Legend Houston Person in ConcertVenue: St. Michael Parish Hall505 Broom Street - Fernandina Beach

Starring: Houston Person, a legendary tenor saxophonist who pays close attention to melody and has a deep sense of the blues.

10:30 pm - ‘til...

Late Nite Jam at “Dizzy’s Den” Arte Pizza 109 N. 3rd Street - Fernandina Beach

Hosted by Jazz Vocalist Lisa Kelly featuring 2016 AIJF Scholarship winner Thomas Milovac Quintet plus special guests

VIP $65 per person(includes Late Nite Jam)

General Admission $40 per person (includes Late Nite Jam)

Late Nite Jam Sesson $20 per person

(Snacks and Beverages available)

VIP $65 per person(includes Late Nite Jam)

General Admission $40 per person (includes Late Nite Jam)

Late Nite Jam Sesson $20 per person

(Snacks and Beverages available)

Saturday, October 8 • 7 pm - 10 pm

Jazz Trumpeter/Vocalist, Bria Skonberg in ConcertVenue: St. Michael Parish Hall505 Broom Street - Fernandina Beach

Starring: Bria Skonberg, a specialist in classic American hot jazz. Bria expands the vocabulary and traditions of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet with worldly rhythms and modern jazz variance.

10:30 pm - ‘til...

Late Nite Jam at “Dizzy’s Den” Arte Pizza 109 N. 3rd Street - Fernandina Beach Bebop, Blues and Beyond

Houston Person

Trio Caliente

Bria Skonberg

Skonberg focuses on innovating while honoring tradition: She has studied with Warren Vache, experimented with fuzz pedals and presented a gig fusing jazz and stand up comedy. Best known for her knowledge of classic jazz and pursuit of worldwide adventure, she is creating a style all her own rooted in swampy New Orleans grooves, featuring world percussion and contemporary soul influenced vocals.

Person studied at South Carolina State College where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 1999.In the United States Air Force, he joined a service band stationed in West Germany, and played with Don Ellis, Eddie Harris, Cedar Walton, and Leo Wright. He first became known for a series of albums for Prestige Records in the 1960s. Contrary to popular belief, he was never married to the vocalist Etta Jones, but did spend many years as her musical partner, recording, performing and touring, and for much of his career this association was what he was best known for.

Les DeMerle, Drums - Ernie Ealum, Bass - Doug Matthews, Piano

University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble

Go online and become a Saxophone Sponsor Today!

The Dynamic Les DeMerle Little Big Band

Hosted by Jazz Vocalist Lisa Kelly featuring 2016 AIJF Scholarship winner Thomas Milovac Quintet plus special guests