Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival

Park West sponsors 5th Annual Big Band Bash

Valentine's Day Big Band Bash

by Park West

Roses and chocolates are lovely gestures, but for something extra sweet for your sweetheart, treat them to a night of dinner, dancing, music and art that benefits a good cause.

Park West Gallery wasΒ teaming up with the Amelia Island Jazz Festival to host the Big Band Bash Dinner and Dance. The fundraiser gala tookΒ place 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Amelia Ballroom in the Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Florida.

The fundraiser is held each year on Valentine’s Day, offering you and your valentine a gourmet dinner and a night of dancing to music performed by the 17-piece Dynamic Les DeMerle orchestra with vocalist Bonnie Eisele, featuring tunes by greats such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

The Amelia Island Jazz Festival is held each October on Amelia Island. The Festival maintains a scholarship fund for emerging musicians and offers appreciation classes, master classesΒ and music instruction as well as performances throughout the year. The festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers.

The 2016 Big Band gala featured Sam Kouvaris, a Sinatra aficionado and personality from WJXT-TV, who will croon some of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ most famous tunes in honor of his 100th birthday. Guests were able to meetΒ the musicians early at 6:30 p.m. before enjoying the evening’s festivities.

This is the third year Park West Gallery has been a major sponsor of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival. The gallery will host a charity art auction at the upcoming gala to raise money for the festival, featuring some of the gallery’s most collected and famous artists, including works by David β€œLebo” Le Batard, the official artist for this year’s festival. VIP Art Director John Block will conduct the auction.

β€œIf you like music, dancing, singing and great food, you will love the Big Band Bash,” Block says.Β β€œThe best part is you will be helping a great cause.”

Valentine's Day Big Band BashNot only does Block contribute his auctioneering skills, but he and his wife, Yuki, personally contribute to the event along with many of their friends and colleagues, including their fellow auctioneers and Park West clients.

β€œYuki and I met Les DeMerle while working on board the Celebrity Solstice several years ago,” Block says. β€œLes and Bonnie are incredibly talented musicians, but even more than the music, we loved their positive message and mission to help talented young musicians get their start. We have been involved with the festival ever since.”

Aside Lebo, other Park West Gallery artists have loaned their talents to the festival. Artist Tim YankeΒ created artwork as the official artist in 2015. Read more about Yanke and the 2015 Amelia Island Jazz Festival.

Back to top
Amelia Island Jazz Festival Logo

Stay up to date with social media.

Facebook Feed

Cover for Amelia Island Jazz Festival
3,096
Amelia Island Jazz Festival

Amelia Island Jazz Festival

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

3 weeks ago

Amelia Island Jazz Festival
Amelia Island Jazz Festival's cover photo ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 weeks ago

Amelia Island Jazz Festival
Photos from Amelia Island Jazz Festival's post ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
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
View on Facebook
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
View on Facebook
⏰ 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
View on Facebook

Follow us