(October 23, 2008), Sunny Isles Beach, FL – The inaugural Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest was a three day, multi-venue event that featured an international line-up of jazz stars and welcomed close to a 1,000 jazz lovers. Produced by the City of Sunny Isles Beach in partnership with the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association the weekend of October 17-19, 2008 brought the extraordinary diverse sounds of jazz to Sunny Isles Beach for all to enjoy while benefiting the Best Buddies Organization.

The event featured celebrity jazz entertainers including Roberto Perera, George Tandy, Sammy Figueroa, Nicole Henry, and Jorge Gomez. Headlining the event was Florida-born and world renowned saxophone player, David Sanborn of The David Sanborn Group.

The Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest showcased the best that the City of Sunny Isles Beach has to offer. “This year’s event was designed to please local both local residents and tourists of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida’s Riviera,” added Mayor Norman Edelcup.  

The Jazz Fest weekend kicked off its events on Thursday, October 16th with an Evening VIP Poster-Signing Party at the St. Tropez. The poster was designed this year by the ultra-talented artist George Rodez and auctioned off to benefit the Best Buddies Organization. On Friday, October 17th Roberto Perera performed at Supper Club at Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach and a performance by George Tandy followed at After Hours at the Acqualina Resort and Spa. On Saturday, the weekend’s main event took place at Samson Oceanfront Park with the sounds of The David Sanborn Group and opening acts Sammy Figueroa and George Tandy. The weekend filled with cool jazz sounds came to a close on Sunday, October 19th with a Jazz Luncheon that starred Nicole Henry at the Trump International Resort.

On Saturday, October 18th, those attending the jazz fest enjoyed an evening under the stars at Samson Oceanfront Park. The cool breeze and smooth jazz sounds added to the perfect experience. Guests in the VIP area were treated to a gourmet buffet catered by Epicure Marketplace which included carving stations and complimentary wine and beer was provided courtesy of Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. All evening attendees could also enjoy a wide selection of food and beverages ranging from The Crepemaker’s gourmet crepes, fresh fruit and signature sandwiches from Epicure Marketplace, and even wine and beer from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly with all proceeds benefiting Best Buddies.

Event corporate and media sponsors included The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Acqualina, Le Meridien, St. Tropez, Trump International Beach Resort, Adrienne Arsht Center For The Performing Arts, Around Town Magazine, The Miami Herald, SocialMiami.com, Atlantic Broadband, Oceanika, Costco, Pepsi, CitiBank, Warren Henry Automobiles, WDNA, HCP Aboard Publishing, BICE, DoubleTree Ocean Point Resort & Spa, Newport Beachside Resort, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, CrepeMaker, Jazziz Magazine, Engel & Volkers, Epicure Marketplace, Key Transportation, and Lukes-Sawgrass Landscape.

“The 1st Annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest was a huge success! It was world-class jazz in a world-class destination,” added Ibis Romero, executive director of Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association.  “We are already working on next year’s event to make it even bigger and better.”

For more information please contact Ibis Romero at ibis@sibfl.net.