The 2006 Amelia Island Jazz Festival will be held October 13, 14 and 15 on beautiful Amelia Island.

World-renowned local jazz musician, bandleader and educator, also festival producer and artistic director, Les DeMerle will again present The Amelia Island Jazz Festival. This event features exciting world-class jazz concerts in many styles, including Bebop, Dixieland, Brazilian, Contemporary and Big Band performed by legendary jazz giants and fresh up-and-coming jazz artists at various venues around Amelia Island. Headliners at this year's festival include trumpet great and Blue Note recording artist Marcus Printup, currently featured with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; alto sax star, DownBeat Magazine poll-winner and Bebop master, Richie Cole; hot Dixieland by The Spare Rib Six; Smooth Jazz by Miami Vibe featuring pianist extraordinaire Mike Levine; the Amelia Island Jazz Festival All-Stars and the Dynamic Les DeMerle Big Band featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele and guest artist Bill Prince, with a special concert set and dancing under the stars.

The Amelia Island Jazz Festival also features educational programs, including Jazz In The Schools, Jazz For Kids and Jazz For Seniors. Also scheduled is a special evening of performances by the UNF Jazz Ensemble directed by Marc Dickman and the FBHS Jazz Band directed by Johnnie Robinson hosted by local TV celebrity, Sam Kouvaris. The Amelia Island Jazz Festival is recognized and endorsed by the world's largest jazz organization, The International Association Of Jazz Educators (IAJE).