The Amelia Island Jazz Festival takes place in Fernandina Beach, Florida, on October 3 – 10, 2010. This festival consists of a series of events celebrating this diverse all-American art form, with headliner, multiple Grammy award-winning pianist, Ramsey Lewis.

The creative director, Les deMerle, has put in place a program consisting of world-class artists in a wide variety of jazz styles. At the Amelia Island Jazz Festival you can enjoy a wide variety of jazz from Dixieland, Smooth Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Blues, Latin and to new, state-of-the-art styles. The festival takes place at the First Baptist Church auditorium, at the beautiful St. Peter’s Church Courtyard and at a selction of charming venues around Fernandina Beach.

Featuring:

The Ramsey Lewis Trio – Grammy Award winning pianist
Steve March Tormé – Explosive Jazz Vocalist

Les DeMerle Big Band – World-renowned Drummer – Exciting Big Band
Bonnie Eisele – Vocalist extraordinaire
Impacto Latino – Hot 10-piece Salsa Band
Bobby Pickwood Quintet – Chet Baker Tribute – Trumpet & Vocals
Michael Levine & Miami Vibe – Smooth Jazz Pianist
Nathan Skinner – Vibraphone Sensation, 2010 AIJF Scholarship Winner
18-Piece US Navy Band – Classic Band at its best
Midnight Blue Band – Bebop, Blues & Beyond
Spare Rib Six – N’awlins-style Dixieland Band

… and many more!

Friday, October 1, 2010 – 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Free Community Concert “Sounds on Centre”

Sunday, October 3, 2010 – 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Free Concert at Amelia Park “Jazz In The Park”

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
“Jazz at the Movies” (Tickets $15)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
“Red, White & Blues” Blues Concert and Wine Tasting (Tickets $30)

Thursday, October 7, 2010 – 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
“Latin Jazz” Concert & Dance (Tickets $25)

Friday, October 8, 2010 – 8:00 PM
“Tormé Sings Tormé” Steve March Tormé in Concert
(Tickets $40 – $75)

Saturday, October 9, 2010 – 8:00 PM
“An Evening With Ramsey Lewis”
(Tickets $40 – $75)

Sunday, October 10, 2010 – 12pm – 2pm and 2pm – 4pm
“Dixieland Jazz Brunch”
(Tickets $45)

For more information, visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com.

The 2010 Festival Featured Artists include:

Ramsey Lewis Trio
Grammy Award-winning pianist
Steve March Tormé
Mel Tormé Tribute Show

Les DeMerle Big Band
World-renowned Drummer
Exciting Big Band

Impacto Latino
Hot 10-Piece Salsa Band

Nathan Skinner
Vibraphone Sensation,
2010 AIJF Scholarship Winner

Bonnie Eisele
Vocalist Extraordinaire

Michael Levine
& Miami Vibe
Smooth Jazz Pianist

18-Piece US Navy Band
Classic Big Band at its best

Bobby Pickwood Quintet
Tribute To Chet Baker

Midnight Blue Band
Bebop, Blues & Beyond

Spare Rib Six
N’awlins-style Dixieland Band

From ragtime, to New Orleans, swing, dixieland, latin jazz, bebop, acid jazz and more – the music form itself is difficult to define. On the other hand, Louis Armstrong who really was the king of Jazz once said “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
But it’s evident jazz has strong ties to the South and maybe that’s the reason why we have several music events in our area this fall celebrating jazz music.

Low Country Jazz Festival
September 3 – 5,2010
Charleston, SC
Even though it’s only the second time around for The Low Country Jazz Festival, this event is quickly becoming a very popular. Both local and international jazz artists will perform during the festival the North Charleston Performing Arts Center in Charleston and various other venues in the area.
Click here to read more about the Low Country Jazz Festival

Hilton Head Jazz and Brew Fest
September 13 -18, 2010
Hilton Head Island, SC
This festival manages to combine several coastal favorites – live music, great food and good beer. The Seafood Jazz & Brew Festival on Hilton Head Island includes include beer tastings, beer and food pairings, and of course plenty of jazz performances. This festival utilizes the coastal locations of the Shelter Cove Community Park and the Shelter Cove Harbour. Click here to read more about Hilton Head Jazz and Brew Fest

Savannah Jazz Festival
September 19 -26, 2010
Savannah, GA
This is one of the most anticipated festivals in Savannah where the best jazz talent gather in Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia. This year it’s actually the 27th year for event. There are many live performances, jam session and also film screenings. This outdoor jazz festival is free and open to the public.

Amelia Island Jazz Festival
October 3 – 10, 2010
Fernandina Beach, Fl
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island celebrates jazz with a week-long annual festival. The popular event consists of a series of events around the island. This year the headliner is multiple Grammy award-winning pianist, Ramsey Lewis. The festival’s creative director, Les deMerle, has put together a program with world-class jazz artists in a wide variety of styles from Dixieland, Smooth Jazz, Bebop, Big Band, Blues, Latin and to new, state-of-the-art styles. Read more about the Amelia Island Jazz Festival here

Little River Shrimp & Jazz Fest
October 9 – 10, 2010
Little River, SC
This is one of the most anticipated events in Little River near Myrtle Beach. There’s lots of fun for the whole family and lots of live music.
Read more about Little River Shrimp & Jazz Fest