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Sunset Jazz Welcomes Back Steve Simon

July 15, 2005 – August 2004 was Steve Simon & the Jazz Islanders' first performance for Sunset Jazz and what a performance it was! Sunset Jazz concert goers were buzzing about the evening long after the last notes wafted across the waters. Playing to a record crowd, it was clearly evident Simon, and his wonderful ensemble known as the Jazz Islanders, enjoyed Sunset Jazz just as much as the concert goers enjoyed the world class performance this fabulous group of musicians brought to the stage. Steve Simon & the Jazz Islanders is one of the most exciting and entertaining jazz bands in the Caribbean today. Their passionate and exciting arrangements of timeless classics continue to draw standing room only audiences wherever they perform.
Steve Simon loves St. Croix and St. Croix loves Steve Simon & the Jazz Islanders, and Simon has once again agreed (quite excitedly, I might add) to a replay of last year's trio of jazz performances for Sunset Jazz and Frederiksted! St. Croix audiences (along with others crossing the waters) will get three opportunities on July 15th and 16th to see and hear this great band. Beginning with July 15th's Sunset Jazz at 6:00 p.m., and going strong for two hours, Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders will be front and center on the Sunset Jazz stage. Their world renowned jazz is all about magical, memorable moments of music wrapped up into one great show……and, what a show it is!
Then, if you're like many of us and that simply isn't enough of a jazz fix for you, you'll need to make a bee line immediately after Sunset Jazz to the Pier 69 courtyard for round two! Simon loves an "after party" and this one holds the promise of being one to remember! If history is any indication, don't be surprised if some of St. Croix' own incredible jazz artists end up joining Simon on stage. High energy jammin' at it's finest! And, if all this jazz works up an appetite, Unise Tranberg, well known Frederiksted advocate and proprietor of Pier 69, will feature her famous hot hors d'oeuvres bar for after-party goers. A word to the wise: Call Pier 69 (772-0069) and reserve a table or two for this event!
Saturday night, July 16th, beginning at 6:30 p.m., round three of the Steve Simon & the Jazz Islanders Frederiksted weekend will be hosted by the Beach Side Cafe' at Sand Castles on the Beach Hotel for their popular Saturday night Jazz Dinner Club. For excellent food, excellent drink, and some of the best jazz around call 772-1266 to make your reservations.
If you were so unfortunate as to have missed any of these three events last year, here's your second chance!
Now, for the scoop on the band–Steve Simon has put together an ensemble of musicians that would bring tears of joy to the eyes of any jazz aficionado. These artists are consummate professionals and die hard entertainers! Each, in their own right, commands the stage. To quote Simon, "The result is the partnership of my dreams come true. We all love jazz, we all love to perform and, most important, we all love to perform together," he says. "Each one of us acknowledges that we have been given a special gift, and each one of us is dedicated to sharing that gift." These gifted individuals are: Steve Simon – clarinet, keyboards – Sally Smith, Joe Ramsay on sax, Cliff Finch on bass, and the newest Jazz Islander is St. Thomas' own Charles Lynch on drums/percussion.
Simon is an accomplished jazz clarinetist whose style has won international acclaim. His last CD, "If Only For One Night,"was recorded live with The Toronto City Orchestra. In his adopted home of the Virgin Islands he continues to perform live to standing-room only audiences. Smith is a lounge performer who came up through New York's famed "Borscht Belt" before making St. Thomas her home. She has performed at most of Simon's "Jazz in the Moonlight" concerts over the last four years and is a featured artist on the award-winning CD "The Best of Jazz in the Moonlight – Volume 1" that was recorded live on St. John. Ramsay's sweet sax sound has made him one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in the Virgin Islands. From New York to the Caribbean, he has performed with such legends as Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack and Cab Calloway. He's also featured on "The Best of Jazz in the Moonlight – Volume 1." Finch, who has been part of the Virgin Islands music scene for many years, is known for his mellow mood and his mellifluous sound, and Charles Lynch is one of the top drummer/percussionists in the Islands today.
"I trust that St. Croix will enjoy my music as much as I enjoy St. Croix," Simon says. "St. Croix has more jazz fans per square inch than anyplace else in the world … The St. Croix audiences are amazing. You can feel the excitement in the air the moment you walk into any of the island's jazz spots."
Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders are being presented by the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, which is in its fourth year of presenting the monthly open-air Sunset Jazz concerts, each third Friday of every month.
"Steve has graciously agreed to do an entire weekend in Frederiksted," Sunset Jazz Executive Producer, Bridget Cox-Dawson says. "For those who have not yet come to Frederiksted to enjoy our monthly Sunset Jazz, this would definitely be a great weekend."
There's no admission, no cover, no minimum and no other mandatory cost to enjoy Sunset Jazz.
The Friday, July 15th Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted concert, as always, is a family affair, running from 6 to 8 p.m. It takes place at Fort Frederik Beach Park, and those attending are encouraged to take along folding chairs or blankets for seating. FEDA will have its drink concession going, with proceeds helping to offset the costs of the concert, and Hispanos Unidos will be selling food to benefit its community causes.
The weekend is not aimed exclusively at Crucians by any means. Sand Castle on the Beach has put together a getaway package and welcomes jazz lovers from neighboring islands to take in all three performances. For details, call 772-1205. FEDA is joined in it's efforts to present Sunset Jazz by WTJX/ Channel 12, our local PBS station, who assists every month through their video taping of Sunset Jazz which airs on Channel 12 Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. As a reminder, WVIQ/Sunny 99.5 f.m. is the Official Radio Station of Sunset Jazz, so be sure and tune in to stay up to date on all of the jazz happenings!
For more information e-mail sunset_jazz@hotmail.com or call Bridget Cox-Dawson @ 277-0692.
The Source is publishing this press release as a public service. It is published exactly as received. Please note on the by-line the name of the person or organization that sent the release.

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