2017 Amelia Island Jazz Festival
October 8 - 15, 2017
Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach FL
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 Tito Puente, Torres’ playing incorporates a smorgasbord of Latin jazz, pop, straight-ahead jazz, and classical styles. He has played with an impressive array of jazz greats, including Jimmy Smith and Dave Grusin.
Vitro, who will perform on Friday, October 13, earned a 2012 Grammy Nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Album,” The Music of Randy Newman, on Motéma Music. An inventive singer, her strengths include rhythmic acuity and free-spirited spontaneity, often heard in her improvisations, using both scat syllables and lyrics. Additionally, she has released twelve critically acclaimed recordings for Motéma, Telarc, Concord, Challenge and Half Note Records and has performed with a strong sampling of today’s top jazz artists, most notably Elvin Jones and Christian McBride. She has also headlined at prestigious jazz venues such as The Blue Note and Lincoln Center in New York, and The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Both artists will appear on programs at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Bill Melton Road.
Now in its 14th year, the AIJF will take place at various locations in Fernandina Beach, FL from October 8-15, 2017, beginning with its annual free concert in Amelia Park on Sunday, October 8. Additional shows will be announced soon. Tickets are available online, the AIFBY Chamber of Commerce and the UPS Store on Amelia Island.
October 08, 2017 ~ 2-4pm
Jazz in the Park – Free Concert
FREE Community Concert at Amelia Park near the YMCA (between 14th and Citrona, Fernandina Beach, Florida).
Featuring the exciting 21 piece University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble II directed by Dennis Marks.
*Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.
**Food & Beverage by Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen
October 09, 2017 ~ 7-9pm
Jazz Festival Sponsor Party
Horizons Gourmet Restaurant
5472 First Coast Hwy. – Amelia Island, FL 32034
A very special evening featuring the Amelia Island Jazz Fest All Stars and the 2017 AIJF Scholarship winner 18 year old Saxophonist Skyler Nolan.
Hosted by Les DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele
This event is by special invitation only for Bronze Saxophone Sponsors and above.
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
October 10, 2017 ~ 5-7pm
Wine Tasting & Jazz
The Amelia Island Wine Company
4924 First Coast Hwy. #1 – Amelia Island, FL 32034
This unique wine tasting and Jazz event will feature 6 special wines and a pairing of great jazz for each taste. The description of the wine and the Jazz compositions being played will compliment the taste.
Featuring Multi Instrumentalist Dr. Bill Prince – Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet and Flute and Doug Matthews– Piano.
Hosted by AIJF Artistic Director, Les DeMerle-Drums
TICKETS
October 11, 2017 ~ 7-10pm
Jump Jive And Wail / Swing Night
The Sandbar & Kitchen (formerly Sandy Bottoms)
2910 Atlantic Avenue – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Jump Jive And Wail / Swing Night, Concert and Dance at newly opened Sandbar & Kitchen.
Featuring The Dynamic Les DeMerle Little Big Band featuring Bonnie Eisele vocals, Steve Strawley trumpet, Clarence Hines trombone, Al Waters saxophone, Doug Matthews piano and Ernie Ealum bass, Les DeMerle drums. Bring your sweetheart and dance the night away.
Cash Bar & Food available
TICKETS
October 12, 2017 ~ 7-10pm
Hot Latin Jazz Concert – Concert, Dance
The Sandbar & Kitchen (formerly Sandy Bottoms)
2910 Atlantic Avenue – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Trio Caliente‘s inimitable blend of Flamenco, Pop, and Brazilian Jazz has been enjoyed all around the world.
Sharing the stage throughout the years with Jazz legends like Charlie Byrd, Keter Betts, and McCoy Tyner to Salsa superstars Jerry Rivera and Luis Enrique, members of Trio Caliente have also performed and recorded with Grammy-nominated jazz flautist, Nestor Torres, Latin Grammy-winner, Raul Jaurena, Shahin and Sepehr (Virgin/Higher Octave), and David Hidalgo of “Los Lobos.” With special guest Sammy Rodriguez on percussion
Cash Bar & Food available
TICKETS
October 13, 2017 ~ 7pm
Roseanna Vitro in Concert - A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
Fernandina Beach Golf Club
2800 Bill Melton Road – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Roseanna Vitro was exposed to jazz and it became her genre of choice after moving to Houston, Texas in the 1970s. Ray Sullenger discovered Vitro and presented her to the Houston jazz community where she sang frequently with tenor Arnett Cobb. Roseanna Vitro worked for two years in Houston’s Green Room with her group “Roseanna with Strings and Things” hosting a radio show on KUHF-FM. Many jazz musicians stopped in and played with Strings and Things, such as Cobb, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan and Keter Betts. Cobb, Peterson, and Sullenger encouraged her to dedicate herself to jazz.
This evening also features Art of the Trio with special guests The Les DeMerle Trio Les DeMerle drums, Mike Levine piano & Dennis Marks bass.
TICKETS
October 13, 2017 10pm-midnight
Late Nite Jam
Dizzy’s Den at Sliders Beach Bar & Grill (upstairs)
1998 South Fletcher Avenue – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Bebop, Blues and Beyond, featuring the FSU Jazz Ensemble with Kevin Jones. Every Friday night ticket holder is invited to the Late Nite Jam
Tickets to just the Jam can be purchased separately.
TICKETS
October 14, 2017 ~ 7pm
Néstor Torres in Concert - Jazz Flute Traditions Show
Fernandina Beach Golf Club
2800 Bill Melton Road – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Standing on the shoulders of flute giants from worlds as diverse as Rampal & Galway in Classical Music; Richard Egues‘ Cuban Charanga style; rocker Ian Anderson’s Jethro Tull; Herbie Mann and – most influential of all – Hubert Laws as pioneers of Jazz Flute, Latin Grammy Award winning Nestor Torres’ rhythmic and mellifluous flute sound remains apart in a class all by itself. His 14 recordings as a soloist; 4 Latin Grammy nominations, one Grammy nomination and one Latin Grammy Award; collaborations with diverse artists such as Gloria Estefan, Kenny Loggins, Dave Mathews, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente, Michael Camilo, Paquito D’ Rivera and Arturo Sandoval; as well as performances with the Cleveland, Singapore, and New World Symphony Orchestras among many others, are testament to the remarkable journey of an Artist who continues to grow and enrich the lives of those who experience his talents.
This evening also features Art of the Trio with special guests The Les DeMerle Trio w/ Les DeMerle drums, Mike Levine piano & Dennis Marks bass. Special guests Bonnie Eisele vocals, Sam Rodriguez percussion. Saturday night ticket holders are invited to the Late Nite Jam at no extra charge.
TICKETS
October 14, 2017 ~ 10pm-midnight
Saturday Late Nite Jam
Dizzy’s Den at Sliders Beach Bar & Grill (upstairs)
1998 South Fletcher Avenue – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Tickets are available for individuals who missed the Friday Night Headliner Concert but want to enjoy some great spontaneous jazz at this popular late nite event. Bebop, Blues and Beyond, featuring the FSU Jazz Ensemble with Kevin Jones saxophone and guest. You never know what will happen next…
Saturday night ticket holders are invited to the Late Nite Jam at no extra charge.
TICKETS
October 15, 2017
Dixie to Swing Jazz Brunch
Horizons Gourmet Restaurant
5472 First Coast Hwy. – Amelia Island, FL 32034
First Seating: 11am
Second Seating: 1pm
The Grand Finale of the 2017 Jazz Festival will be the popular Jazz Brunch offering a special Jazz Festival Menu at Horizons Gourmet Restaurant
Featuring: Jazz Greats, JB Scott – Trumpet, Dr. Bill Prince – Clarinet, Dave Steinmeyer – Trombone, Mike Levine – Piano, Dennis Marks – Bass, Les DeMerle – Drums, Bonnie Eisele – Vocals and Special Guests.
TICKETS
Program is subject to change without notice.
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