Friday, October 12, 2012

Amelia Island Jazz Festival Features David Benoit and Spyro Gyra

       “The 2012 Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival is swingin’ hard this year – the jazz is smooth and in the groove,” according to artistic director Les DeMerle. The festival is celebrating its 9th year on Amelia Island, with astonishing and acclaimed music and artists. The week-long event, which wraps up this weekend, has grown so dramatically that most of the concerts and events this year will be take place at the Festival’s new partner, the Omni Resorts Amelia Island Plantation.
       Multiple Grammy Award nominated jazz-fusion artists Spyro Gyra and contemporary pianist David Benoit are set to headline this year’s festival. A hugely successful and internationally acclaimed group which has sold over ten million albums since its 1977 inception, Spyro Gyra will appear Saturday, October 13, at the Omni Resorts Amelia Island Plantation. 2012 marks 35 years since their first album release; their newest album, A Foreign Affair, was released in September 2011, and features a collection of world music done in Spyro Gyra’s innovative style. Formed out of Buffalo, New York’s fertile jazz scene by saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, Spyro Gyra quickly made a name for itself by creating a distinctive style that sounded like nothing before it. Beckenstein is pleased to bring the group to Amelia Island for the festival this year. “This is my first trip to Amelia Island and I’m very excited to see a place I’ve heard is so lovely. History being my hobby, I’m also looking forward to seeing a place so rich in history,” said Beckenstein.
 

       David Benoit will appear on Friday, October 12, also at the Omni. His expansive career as a highly regarded jazz pianist has included over 25 solo recordings. His ‘80s releases This Side Up, Freedom at Midnight and the Grammy nominated Every Step of the Way are regarded critically as jazz-fusion classics. Benoit has also penned notable film scores such as The Stars Fell on Henrietta, produced by Clint Eastwood, and starring Robert Duvall. Heavily influenced by Vince Guaraldi, Benoit coincidently performed and recorded with DeMerle’s 1970s fusion band, Transfusion. Both Spyro Gyra and David Benoit will perform in the Omni’s tented pavilion area in Racquet Park.
       For more information visit: www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com.

 

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