A Message From Les DeMerle
Artistic Director, Amelia Island Jazz Festival

“The 2008 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 talent roster is simply the best line-up we have ever assembled.  Headliners include the festival debut of the incredibly talented award-winning Concord recording artist, tenor saxophonist, Harry Allen; the explosive Bill Allred Classic Jazz Band; the smooth jazz sounds of Dirty Martini featuring Jeff Rupert with vocalist Michelle Amato; the hot Latin grooves of Impacto Latino; The powerful 19-piece US Navy Big Band Southeast; the Dynamic Les DeMerle Band featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele with multi-instrumentalist Dr. Bill Prince and the funky New Orleans sounds of the Spare Rib Six. So don't miss a beat! I hope to see you on the scene with all the action and the fun at the 2008 Amelia Island Jazz Festival.”

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Les DeMerle  launched his career as drummer for jazz vibraphone great, Lionel Hampton.   He then toured for 12 years with jazz trumpet master, Harry James, recording three albums with him including the Grammy-winning King James Version.  Les followed this achievement with the formation of his own jazz-rock/fusion band, Transfusion, which produced five award-winning recordings. He has also toured with Manhattan Transfer, and appeared with such musical greats at Lou Rawls, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Joe Williams. A resident of Amelia Island since 1991, Les continues to perform at concerts and festivals with his trio, quartet, and the Dynamic Les DeMerle Big Band Orchestra featuring Bonnie Eisele, which has recorded ten CDs.