Rehearsals for the Island Chamber Singers' fall concert begin on Thursday, September 7. If you are interested in becoming a member of Island Chamber Singers, please contact Jane Lindberg at (904) 225-0575 or e-mail her at janelindberg@bellsouth.net for a vocal interview.

Hope to see you there!

Location: Springer Controls Map

Category: Music

The Amelia island Jazz Festival proudly present the Jazz Ambassadors of the Amelia Island Arts Academy directed by Ken Wilburk and hosted by Les DeMerle & Bonnie Eisele.

Call (904) 321-0898 for more information.

Location: Savannah Grand of Amelia Island Map

Category: Music , Older Adults

"Sounds on Centre" is a series of free community concerts held from 6-8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month from March to October (except for May) in downtown Fernandina Beach (weather permitting).

In October the scheduled performer is the Les DeMerle Jazz All Stars in a Dixieland Jazz Celebration.

Concerts are held on Centre Street between Front and Second streets. Downtown Fernandina comes alive with music and dancing feet from 6 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the music of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Whether you have a partner or not, join the Fernandina Beach Pirates as they form an impromptu conga line that snakes through the crowd.

Sounds on Centre is presented by The Historic Fernandina Business Association, a not-for-profit organization with more than 50 business members in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. As an organization, our mission is to promote the downtown business district of Fernandina Beach while giving back to the community.

Location: downtown Fernandina Beach Map

Category: Community Events , Music

Composer, pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis is set to headline this year’s Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival, to be held October 3-10, 2010, in Fernandina Beach. The festival will present “An Evening With The Ramsey Lewis Trio” on Saturday, October 9.

Spurred by the success of 2009 AIJF concerts with David Sanborn, the booking represents an ongoing effort by the festival to bring in critically acclaimed and commercial musical acts. With three Grammy Awards and seven gold records to his credit, Lewis stands out as one of the most popular jazz musicians of all time. A native Chicagoan, the venerable Concord Records artist has released dozens of well received jazz albums through the years and is noted for such 1960s' hits as “The In Crowd,” “Hang On Sloopy,” and “Wade In The Water.”

“We are thrilled to have Ramsey this year,” said DeMerle, the festival’s Artistic Director. “He is a wonderful pianist who, along with his trio, will provide a terrific evening of first class jazz for our event.” Lewis will be accompanied by veteran sidemen Larry Gray (bass) and Leon Joyce (drums).

In addition to his recording activity, Lewis has co-produced a 13 part television series, “Legends Of Jazz With Ramsey Lewis.” Beginning in 2005, he began seriously composing large-scale musical works, including an eight-movement composition, “To Know Her,” in collaboration with the Joffrey Ballet and Donald Byrd. His latest album, “Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey” was released in September 2009, by Concord Records.

DeMerle said that more festival artists, venues, and ticket information will be announced in the coming months. “We’re planning a packed schedule that showcases a variety of jazz formats,” he added.

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.

For more information, please contact the Festival Hotline at (904) 504-4772

Or visit our website: www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com
Email address: info@ameliaislandjazzfestival.com

Map

Category: Festival , Music