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Crescendo Amelia's mission is to create vibrant, engaging and meaningful performances that bring to life the incredible legacy of big band & jazz music. Through a variety of public & private partnerships, we aim to support the artistry of our musicians and bring joy to our communities through great music.
Crescendo Amelia is a professional jazz performance organization dedicated to keeping the music’s legacy vital and visible—creating vibrant, community-centered shows while supporting the working artists who bring them to life.
Blending the classic big band sound with a modern sensibility, Crescendo Amelia delivers high-impact concerts that integrate music, dance, and unrivaled showmanship. Boasting a genre-bending repertoire of over 100 years of music, the ensemble draws from top in-demand professionals across the Southeast. Crescendo Amelia is known for performances that feel both historically authentic and unmistakably current.
Founded on Amelia Island in 2013 by the Berkley graduate & drummer Frank Basile as “Frankie & Friends”, the group re-branded as Crescendo Amelia in 2014. The organization has since grown from a local project into a sought-after regional ensemble.
Currently led by trumpeter and owner Dennis Negrin, Crescendo Amelia has presented hundreds of performances across the Southeast, building a loyal audience through public concerts, private events, recordings, and music video releases.
Since 2019, more than $20,000 has gone to local high school and college students for internships and performances. Students receive unique paid performance opportunities with professional musicians. Interested students or young professionals should inquire via email.
Signature programming includes the Amelia Island Dance Series, and How the Big Band Stole Christmas, now celebrating 12 years of sold-out performances alongside a fully-produced Christmas Album now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
one-of-a-kind experiences
Education + development
Community support is critical to support Crescendo Amelia’s artistic mission. In 2025 Crescendo received a fiscal sponsorship from Fractured Atlas to raise tax-deductible contributions to further this work across our community. Learn more here.
Crescendo Amelia been awarded an individual artist grant from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville alongside sponsorships from local businesses and civic organizations. Collaborators have included: G Morgan Choreography, Dancelook, FYE Productions, Rhythm Theory Tap Ensemble, Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Ballroom on Amelia, Bold City Swing, and more.