4TH ANNUAL ST. JOHN CHRISTMAS MUSIC FESTIVAL

[Anthony]

4TH ANNUAL ST. JOHN CHRISTMAS MUSIC FESTIVAL & CHILDREN'S PARADE
Steve Simon presents the 4th Annual St. John Christmas Music Festival & Children's Parade on Saturday, December 6th. A glorious night of free concerts under the stars in the heart of Cruz Bay at Winston Wells Ball Field will follow immediately after our Parade.
This renowned annual holiday family event is brought to you by the Angels at Merchants Commercial Bank, The Lumberyard Complex, First Bank, American Paradise Realty, Holiday Homes, Tropical Properties, Chelsea Drugs, Carlson Construction, Catered To, The Westin Resort St. John, Theodore Tunick & Company, Donald Sussman and Steve and Helen Simon.

Food and beverage service will be available all evening so bring a chair or bring a blanket but please be cool........no coolers.

For additional information please contact Steve Simon at 340-693-8120 or at stevesimonlive@yahoo.com

SATURDAY - DECEMBER 6TH - 6:00 PM
ST. JOHN CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARADE
Celebrating it's 4th anniversary, the St. John Children's Christmas Parade has become a tradition with many of our island's groups participating. It is truly a parade for all ages.
Starting in front of Mongoose Junction, Santa leads the torch lit parade through Cruz Bay, around the ferry dock and then up to Winston Wells Ball Field. Live Christmas music fills the air with our own children's steel pan band and plenty of Reggae sounds. The parade route is filled with Christmas spirit as locals and visitors line both sides of the street.
Upon reaching Winston Wells Ball Field, Santa will be giving every child in attendance a free Christmas gift so plan on coming early and staying late to enjoy a fabulous free Jazz, Blues and Gospel concert.
SATURDAY - DECEMBER 6th - 7:30 PM - FREE
ST. JOHN CHRISTMAS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Starring 13 year old Jazz piano prodigy Matt Wigler and his trio, 13 year old Jazz trumpet sensation Tyler Lindsay and his band, and 'the Diva of all Divas' Ms. Maryel Epps.
Food and beverage service will be available all evening so bring a chair or bring a blanket but please be cool........no coolers.
A 12:00 midnight passenger ferry from Cruz Bay to Red Hook will be available so come early and plan to stay late.
For additional information please contact Steve Simon at 340-693-8120 or at stevesimonlive@yahoo.com


MS. MARYEL EPPS - BIO
Back by very popular demand, 'The Diva of all Divas' Ms. Maryel Epps will be headlining this year's concert.

An internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress, Maryel Epps is recognized as one of the most exciting gospel inspired Jazz divas in the world today.

Maryel originated her famous Gospel Brunch at Lola's Restaurant in New York and from there her career just took off. Today, Maryel tours the world with her high energy Jazz that is rooted in gospel, "the good news music", as she so fondly says. Maryel is a charismatic charmer whose brilliant voice radiates love and energy.

Maryel has performed with the greats such as Billy Taylor, Chaka Khan, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespe, David Lee Roth, David Bowie, Nile Rogers, and Patti Labelle. One of her musical dreams came true having opened for Prince at his club Glam Slam on South Beach just a few years ago.

Backing up Ms. Maryel Epps will be St. John's own world renowned Jazz band, The Jazz Islanders featuring Joe Ramsey on sax, Dale Harrigan on trumpet, Rhett Simmonds on bass, Leon Joyce, Jr. on drums and Steve Simon on clarinet.
MATT WIGLER - BIO
Matt has appeared on stage with many famous blues musicians including, Deanna Bogart, Buckwheat Zydeco, Tommy Castro, Bobby Rush, Tab Benoit, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, and Sir Mack Rice.

His debut CD, XIII (thirteen), released June 2007, was produced by great blues pianist Deanna Bogart. "Whether Matt's jamming on the Blues Cruise, being invited on stage with great musicians, or at home listening to those who came before, it's the love and respect for music that truly propels him along," stated Deanna.

The Baltimore Sun describes Matt's CD as "...foot-tapping, head-swinging, blues and jazz......wait until you hear this musician."

Matt has played at many venues including the State Theatre in Virginia, the 8x10 Club in Baltimore, the Columbia Festival of the Arts, Artscape, the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, the DC Blues Festival, and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise.

Matt Wigler's performance schedule, sound clips, photographs, and other
information are available at www.mattwigler.com.

TYLER LINDSAY- BIO

Tyler Lindsay, 13, began playing trumpet and piano at age three and viola at age four. He began performing when he was 6 years old with his parents in at the International Baptist Church in Honolulu, HI. Tyler discovered his love for jazz when he was 7 and began studying jazz with Dave Adams when he joined the "Young Razzcals Jazz Project" at age 9 in November, 2004. He has won the award for outstanding trumpet performance in the high school division four years in a row, 2004 -2008, at the Tri-state Jazz Festival held at James Madison University.

Tyler was featured at the Richie Cole concert in Richmond Virginia. The Richmond Times Dispatch review of the Cole concert referred to Tyler as a "preteen dynamo". The Times went on to say Tyler "went blow for blow with Cole on Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee." The two musicians stood center stage and exchanged improvisational lines back and forth for about five minutes. The youngster showed no sign of tiring."

In January 2006 Tyler performed at the IAJE Jazz Masters Concert with John Faddis, Chick Corea, Jimmy Heath, Paquito D'Rivera, Slide Hampton, and James Moody. Tyler appeared at the Telluride Jazz Celebration August 3 - 6, 2006 in Telluride, Colorado. Tyler and his family were the subject of a TV special called "The Music in Me" which aired in October of 2006.

In addition to performing with the Young Razzcals Jazz Project, Tyler performs regularly with his brother Ryan (age 9), sister, Christina (age 6) and parents in their group "The Lindsay Family." www.lindsay-jazz.com
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Anthony for Virgin Islands On Line

[KathyMN]

WOW, Anthony... really makes me wish we were going to be there 3 weeks earlier.

Hopefully you'll keep us informed of other special events during the holiday weeks too!

Thanks for all you do,

KathyMN
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[carron]

Thanks Anthony - the 6th is the day we're arriving. Looking forward to the festivities!
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[JeanneB]

Darn, that's the day we fly home.

[DCphoto]

Thanks Anthony, we look forward to this every year! The kids are great during the parade. I love going this time of year, gets me ready for Christmas and I try to do all my shopping while I'm there.

Sandy

[2beachbums]

Does anyone know the dates for this year?

Thanks!
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