Les DeMerle Drum Studio

07/24/2025

Get your groove on with the Les DeMerle Band “Brazilian Fantasy” Show at Story & Song Sat. July 26, 5-7 pm.
Join Les and the band featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele as they pay tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz and Sergio Mendes with Bossa Nova and Samba hits, “The Girl From Ipanema”, “One Note Samba”, “Mais Que Nada” and more. The infectious Brazilian grooves will have everyone dancing in their seats as Bonnie sings the hits in English and Portuguese.
Story and Song Center For Arts & Culture
1430 Park Ave, FB, FL
Tickets: $35 pp
Phone: 904-601-2118
Online: https://storyandsongarts.org/.../the-story-of-jazz-part-3-3/
For a preview of the fun, check out this You Tube link to the Les DeMerle Band with Bonnie - Live, singing the classic Bossa Nova, Jobim’s “Agua De Beber”.
https://youtu.be/y-PNRcs4-VU?si=Pa2aoGKrlivz_wB4

06/05/2025

Don't Miss A Beat, Register today and Get in the Groove.

06/05/2025

Drummers, don't miss a beat! Join the fun at our exciting Les DeMerle "Drums Are Fun" Summer Drum Camp. The Camp will run from 10 am to 12 pm on June 9, 10 and 11. Location is Arts Alive Nassau Bldg. at 96072 Chester Rd. Yulee, FL 32097. The program will teach participants how to create a groove by playing a steady beat, the correct way to hold drum sticks and counting rhythms and improvising. Professional practice pads by Zildjian and a professional Remo Drum set will be used for all students. The fee is $80 for all three days. To register, email [email protected] or call 904-277-7942. The Les DeMerle Summer Drum Camp is a part of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival School programs which are endorsed by Wynton Marsalis, Zildjian Cymbals, Craviotto Drums and Stick Stuff Drumsticks. Hope to see you all there for 3 days of rhythm and groove.

09/22/2024

Great Time at Story & Song Bookstore Bistro with Story Time with Miss Dearsha/Amelia Island Jazz Festival Jazz for Kids presentation! Bonnie Eisele-DeMerle and I had a blast entertaining and teaching the kiddos. They all really got into the drums and learning to count jazz rhythms. The kids and parents are all invited to our Amelia Island Jazz Festival kick-off concert on Sunday, Sept. 29, 12 - 2 pm at the Atlantic Rec Center featuring the UNF Jazz Ensemble 2 directed by Dennis Marks. We’re honored to host and to jam on a few tunes at this show. Get your tickets for all 8 days of exciting events at https://ameliaislandjazzfestival.com

06/15/2024

Sign Up Now!!
“Drums Are Fun” 2024 Summer Drum Camp with Les DeMerle

July 8, 9, 10
10 am – 12 pm
For Ages 9 and Up

Join Les DeMerle, world-renowned drummer and Artistic Director of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, as he teaches kids the basics of drum and rhythm skills. With three days of fun, music and rhythm jams where kids get to play on state-of-the-art Zildjian Practice Pads, snare drums and a professional drum set. Subjects include the correct way to hold drumsticks, counting and reading rhythms, creating a groove with a steady beat, learning drum rudiments and applying them to the drum set. Plus, a special recital on Wed. where all the kids play together in the final jam session performing the skills they learned for family and friends.

“From beginning students to advanced pros, Les will teach you the basics of rhythm needed to play drums and percussion correctly and he will inspire you to become a good musician.”
-Modern Drummer Magazine

WHEN:
Monday 7/8 10 am – 12 pm
Tuesday 7/9 10 am – 12 pm
Wednesday 7/10 10 am – 12 pm

WHERE:
Arts Alive Nassau
96072 Chester Road, Yulee, FL 32097

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED by 7/5/24:
Email [email protected]
Phone (904) 277-7942

HOW:
$80 per Student for all 3 Days
Cash, Check, Credit Card or Zelle - with my email address
Paid in full on or by 7/8/24

06/12/2024

Great Day teaching 50 young music students as part of our Amelia Island Jazz Festival Jazz In The Schools programs. Thank you Carrie Anderson and Amelia Music Studio

06/12/2024

06/08/2024

Amelia Island Jazz Festival
Jazz In The Schools Program
Les DeMerle Clinic

05/26/2024

The Story of Jazz Part 1 show tonight at Story & Song on Amelia Island tonight was a huge success. We celebrated and played the music of Louis Armstrong, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Fats Domino. But the star of the show was Dr. Bill Prince who was celebrating his 86th Birthday.

Following our opening tune, Mama Don’t Allow played to a packed house, I introduced the band: Doug Matthews-piano Cameron Strine -Trombone, Jim Malmgren-Trumpet and the Great Bill Prince on Clarinet and Tenor Sax, plus, of course, my beautiful wife and featured vocalist, Bonnie Eisele-Demerle.

When I introduced Bill, the band swung hard into Happy Birthday as Bill was presented with a glass of Champagne to start the evening.

At the end of the show, following our standing ovation, the Party really started for Bill as Bonnie presented a beautiful Birthday Cake and Paula Prince and Bonnie helped serve the drinks and the cake to celebrate with the band. Huge thanks to Mark & Donna Kaufman for their warm hospitality and generous support.

We all know that Bill is a “Prince” and a blessing to all of us who are inspired by his talent, spirit and most of all his friendship.

Happy Birthday Bill! Enjoy your Cake tonight Happy 86th!

Love Ya!
Les, Bonnie and the Band

05/14/2024

I am so saddened to hear of David Sanborn’s passing. He gave us all so much great music and every note was played from the heart. In 2009 I was very fortunate to book and also play with David at our Amelia Island Jazz Festival. David performed his Ray Charles tribute album with my Hittin’ The Blue Notes Band which also featured my wife vocalist Bonnie Eisele-DeMerle and he delivered an incredible two night performance that raised the bar for our Festival.

David was the real deal playing every note like it was his last.

Thank you David for sharing your beautiful soul with the world. RIP dear friend.

05/13/2024

Chicago Drum Show, Naperville Music Clinic and The Les DeMerle Chicago Reunion Band “Jazz Party” Show featuring Bonnie Eisele at Go Brewing!

Am super excited to return to the Chicago Drum Show on Sat. May 18 and Sun. May 19 where I will be exhibiting and teaching at my Booth 171. My dear friends and fabulous drummers, Bernie Dressel and Adam Nussbaum, will be presenting clinics at the show.
Check out rebeats.com

Following this exciting show, I will play a free Drum Clinic at Naperville Music on Mon. May 20 at 4 pm followed by teaching at the store on Tues. May 21 and Wed. May 22. To book private lessons contact Nate at napervillemusic.com

A special Chicago performance of The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band featuring Bonnie Eisele and Chicago's finest! Paul Coscino- piano, Peter Lerner-guitar and Michael Staron-bass. The show will take place at Naperville’s very hip night club, Go Brewing, Tuesday May 21, 7 pm - 9 pm.
For tickets visit: tickettailor.com/events/gobrewing/1229922
and check out their website https://gobrewing.com/

Hope to see many friends and fans at these exciting Chicago events. Don’t miss a beat! Come on out and dig all the sounds - Les