Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival

Lebo chosen as 2016 Amelia Island Jazz Festival Artist

LeBo 2016 AIJF artist

by Park West Gallery

David Le Batard, also known as the artist Lebo, will loan his artistic talents to the 13th Annual Amelia Island Jazz Festival as its official artist.

Lebo follows Tim Yanke, who served as the official artist in 2015. Lebo will create art that is featured on posters, shirts, flyers and other materials related to the festival, held at several venues on Amelia Island in Florida from Oct. 2-9.

β€œBeing chosen for the Amelia Island Jazz Festival is a joy for many reasons, not the least of which is how greatly music, and in particular jazz, has affected my approach at art,” Lebo says. β€œThe mix of extreme dedication along with individual expression is a perfect one, and one that I learned from being a fan of jazz.”

The Amelia Island Jazz Festival, a non-profit organization founded in 2001, promotes music education and appreciation. The festival’s educational programs include workshops for students in elementary, middle and high school as well as informative sessions held at senior centers.

Lebo is a natural choice for a festival centered on music. He has traveled the world to paint alongside musicians that inspired him, creating art live on stage during performances of acts such as the Beastie Boys, Paul Oakenfold and Willie Nelson. Lebo also served as the official artist for the 2003 Latin Grammy Awards, and was commissioned to create a work of art for Billy Joel in 2015.

Lebo is also a fan of listening to music while painting, saying he enjoys ska (a combination of jazz and Caribbean folk music), roots reggae, folk music and blue note jazz.

β€œThe big band era, be-bop and hard-bop eras in particular are perfect encapsulations of how art can capture parts of history in a unique way,” he says.

lebo at workIn his artwork for the festival, β€œOde to the Muses,” Lebo captures the themes of jazz and the euphoria of listening to great music, using imagery that is both representational and abstract in his signature post-modern cartoon expressionistic style.

β€œI wanted to create something that was both progressive but steeped in the past,” he says. β€œI was looking to create a visual representation of the feeling one gets from a really transcendent piece of music as well as the feeling of the actual musicians themselves locked in a tight groove.”

Along with its workshops, music education is at the forefront of the festival with its Amelia Island Jazz Scholarship. The scholarship is granted on an annual basis to a graduating high school senior and must be used toward expenses that lead to earning a major or minor in music, preferably in jazz.

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A not for profit 501c3 corporation, the Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival distributes proceeds

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Amelia Island Jazz Festival Valentine’s Big Band Bash Swings Hard! The AIJF Valentine’s Big Band Bash was a great success on all counts-The Dynamic Les DeMerle 15-piece Orchestra featuring Bonnie Eisele plus exciting soloists Bill Prince-Alto/Sax and Clarinnet, Paul Tafoya Trumpet, Clarence Hines -Trombone, Rob Chapman-Tenor Sax and Doug Matthews-Piano, hit the stage swingin’ and the dance floor was packed all night long.Toward the end of the first set, Les introduced 2024 AIJF Scholarship winner, 18-year-old Bassist/Vocalist, Ayanna Nelson. Ayanna played a Blues on Bass and then sang Diane Shure’s hip arrangment of β€œCome Rain Or Come Shine” which earned Ayanna a standing ovation from the packed house.During the band’s break, Park West Gallery auctioneer, Molly Townsend, auctioned 15 pieces of world-class Art of which all of the proceeeds benefit the AIJF Scholarship Fund.Dancing continued with the classic Big Band Hits of Miller, Basie, Ellington and a special tribute to Harry James. Then, Les was excited to announce this year’s AIJF Headliners:Award-Winning Saxophonist/Vocalist, Grace Kelly, on Friday Oct. 4 and Legendary New Orleans Pianist /Vocalist, Marcia Ball on Saturday Oct. 5. Other crowd-pleasing artists to perform at the 2024 Amelia Island Jazz Festival (9/29-10/6) are Tony Cruz and The Latin Jazz Legends, The Dynamic Les DeMerle Little Big Band featuring Bonnie Eisele, The Spare Rib Six Dixieland Band and the UNF Jazz Ensemble 2 directed by Dennis Marks.Don’t miss a beat! Stay tuned to all the action, tickets and info at ameliaislandjazzfestival.com ... See MoreSee Less
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This Valentine's Celebration will be happenin' on Saturday!Surprise your Valentine with an amazing night of Music, Dancing and Dining for a great cause! Tickets are still available for the Amelia Island Jazz Festival Valentine's Big Band Bash Dinner-Dance Gala this Saturday, 2/10, at the Courtyard-Springhill Suites by Marriott, Amelia Island.For tickets and details visit ameliaislandjazzfestival.comEnjoy a delicious dinner and dance the night away to the Big Band Classics, Romanic Ballads, Latin, R&B and more while supporting the Amelia Island Jazz Festival Scholarships that are awarded annually to deserving High School seniors.Don't Miss A Beat! Purchase now! ... See MoreSee Less
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⏰ Time is running out! Act now to make this weekend unforgettable! ⏰Extend the magic of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival by joining us for our Recipe for Love Jazz Brunch, just 7 days away! πŸ₯‚ But wait, there's more!After dancing the night away at our Big Band Bash, keep the romance alive at Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island! Reserve your hotel stay now for special rates and make the most of this enchanting weekend. Indulge in the Jazz Brunch featuring:🎢 The Dynamic Les DeMerle Quintet🎀 Featuring Bonnie Eisele on vocals and Dr. Bill Prince on multi-instruments✨ Plus special guest appearances that will leave you mesmerized!Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a weekend of love and music. Visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com to grab your tickets and learn more about the special hotel rates. Time is of the essence – make your reservations today! #ameliaislandjazzfestival #recipeforlove #booknow πŸŽΌπŸ’• ... See MoreSee Less
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