Steve Simon Presents

3RD ANNUAL ST. JOHN CHRISTMAS MUSIC FESTIVAL & CHILDREN’S PARADE

Steve Simon presents the 3rd Annual St. John Christmas Music Festival on Saturday, December 1st and Sunday, December 2nd. Two glorious nights of free concerts under the stars in the heart of Cruz Bay at Winston Wells Ball Field.

December 1st - JAZZ
December 2nd - GOSPEL

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 1ST – 8:00 PM – FREE

“CHRISTMAS JAZZ UNDER THE STARS”
featuring Grammy nominated Jazz singer Julie Michels and the
“Velvet Voice” of Ron Nimmo.

Julie Michels

Julie Michels most recent CD, “Julie Michels and Kevin Barrett – Live at Statlers” went Platinum in just four weeks. Once you see this incredible bundle of exciting talent take the stage you will understand why. Julie’s distinctive soulful sound and energetic stage presence continues to thrill standing room only audiences at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Toronto’s Downtown Jazz Festival, The Top of the Senator, Montreal Bistro and the Rex Hotel just to name a few.

Ron Nimmo, known to so many of us as “Dr. Ron”, is the smoothest dude in town. Ron’s amazing velvet voice has graced many stages throughout the world including our own Reichhold Center on St. Thomas. Tall, good looking and charming combined with a Jazz voice that sends chills through the air, Ron Nimmo is truly a Virgin Island’s treasure.

Backing up Julie Michels and Ron Nimmo will be St. John’s own world renowned Jazz band, The Jazz Islanders featuring Sally Smith on piano, Joe Ramsey on sax, Dale Harrigan on trumpet, Vince Wallace Jr. on bass, Ryan Diehl on drums and Steve Simon on clarinet.

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

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 2ND – 6:30 PM

THE 3RD ANNUAL
ST. JOHN CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARADE

In three short years 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.

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 2nd– 7:30 PM – FREE

“AN EVENING OF CHRISTMAS GOSPEL AND BLUES UNDER THE STARS”
Featuring Gospel and Blues legends Diunna Greenleaf and I.J. Gosey, with special guest artist Zac Harmon. Also appearing is the 2007 IBC winners The Homemade Jamz Blues Band from Tupelo Mississippi.

Diunna Greenleaf

Diunna Greenleaf, the leader of Blue Mercy is a native Texan (Houston) whose whole life is steeped in Gospel music. Nominated for the 2007 Female Artist of the Year and winner of the 2005 IBC, Diunna has been influenced by the likes of Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Rosetta Thorpe, Sam Cook and her own parents, Ben and Mary Ella Greenleaf. Diunna has developed “Diunna’s style of Gospel” combining her Gospel with intricate patches of Jazz and heartfelt Soul that takes one on an emotional roller coaster ride.

I.J. Gosey

In 1955, a young musician by the name of I.J. Gosey traveled from Newton, Texas to Houston to hear his favorite Blues musician Johnny Clyde Copland perform at the famous Hamilton Inn. The rest is now history. I.J. has been a Houston Blues and Gospel legend for decades.

From a six night a week gig at Jimmy Mutis’s Club to his own legendary “Sunday Afternoon Blues Party” at Mr. Gino’s, I.J. Gosey has come a long way to become an institution in the Houston music scene.

Duke/Peacock Recording Artist I.J. Gosey has performed with Blues and Gospel legend Diunna Greenleaf, Junior Parker, Lowell Fulsom, T. Bone Walker and Johnny Taylor to name just a few.

Zac Harmon

Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Zac Harmon is a disciple of the great Gospel and Blues legends. During the 50’s and 60’s Zac hung out at his father’s pharmacy, the first African-American pharmacy in Jackson, soaking up the aura and sounds of the musician customers while developing his skills as a guitarist, organist and vocalist. Like so many other artists in Mississippi, Zac honed those skills while at church. Today, Zac Harmon continues to thrill audiences throughout the world and you are all in for an incredible Christmas treat.

Opening the show will be the winners of this year's International Blues Competition in Memphis, the Homemade Jamz Blues Band from Tupelo Mississippi. This is a band that has taken the music world by storm this past year. They are 2 brothers and their sister,
ages 8, 12 and 14. This incredible band has just been featured on Charles Osgood's CBS Sunday morning and in just about every music magazine in the world.

The young girl (8 years old) is the band's drummer and the two brothers (ages 12 and 14) play the bass guitar and rhythm guitar and sing. I was lucky enough to be a judge during the International Blues Competition and when these kids finished their first song the entire
place went nuts.....no one had ever before seen such amazing talent from 3 little kids.......

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