River City Plus: Beyond the beat with Les DeMerle

Created by Les DeMerle and his wife Bonnie Eisele, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival started as a way to keep the jazz vibes flowing after making the island their home. It has expanded into a scholarship program where a student is offered a scholarship to pursue his or her jazz dreams in college and beyond. The event is a full week of activities that incorporate youth, all styles of jazz, education and more. Rance made a short trek up to the Island to meet with Les and find out about this year’s festivities. Sept. 29 th - Oct. 6th

www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com