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How the Big Band Stole Christmas at ACT
Dec. 19th - 21st I Tickets on Sale Here
aboutus
Our 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.
We work with a diverse array of artists, vocalists & instrumentalists to bring a modern yet authentic twist on a classic sound. With influences spanning the last 100+ years across multiple ensembles, there isn't anything we don't enjoy performing. The love of the music, dance and our community drives us to pursue artistic excellence and build community through collaboration, performance, and education.
Over a decade ago in 2013, Amelia Island drummer & producer Frank Basile created a post on craigslist titled "want to play in a big band?" He then went on to create what was called "Frankie & Friends" consisting of several local musicians from Fernandina, Jacksonville & St. Mary's. Over time as word got out and the group grew, we migrated away from rehearsing in his basement and eventually settled on the name "Crescendo Amelia" in 2014. One of the band's first public gigs was a full big band show at "Sandy Bottoms" with a $7 ticket.
Now a professional, multi-faceted organization run by trumpeter & owner Dennis Negrin, the band has performed hundreds of shows all across the region & gained thousands of fans from far and wide. The group actively performs private & public functions across the Southeast with multiple recording and music video releases over the years.
Current projects include music video & dance collaborations and several full theatre shows. Of particular acclaim is the annual Amelia Island Dance Series (since 2019) featuring local community partners and our annual holiday production, How the Big Band Stole Christmas which is now celebrating over a decade of world-class and sold-out shows.
Internships, Performances & More
Since 2021 over $20,000 has been paid out for internships and contracted work to local area high school & college students. Students receive unique performance opportunities alongside professional musicians with class credit & stipends available.
Students interested in these programs, should email us.
Student Opportunities
Live Performance Engagements
Audio Engineer/ Sound Technician
Arts Management & Marketing
Digital & Social Media
Collaborations & Noteworthy Achievements
In Fall of 2025 "Crescendo Amelia Music, Dance and Performance Projects" went live with a fiscal sponsorship from Fractured Atlas. Learn more here.
Additionally, we have been awarded an individual artist grant from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and a title sponsorship from the Tourism Development Council of Nassau County for our 2025 dance & holiday seasons.
We have partnered with G Morgan Choreography and Jacksonville University dancers to create a world class music video set to “Moondance.”
We have partnered with the Amelia Island Dance Festival, local Fernandina businesses, and multiple dance studios to create the promotional Fall in Love with Downtown Video featuring the tune “Almost Like Being in Love.”
At our events we have featured performances by Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Ballroom on Amelia, Bold City Swing, and Rhythm Theory Tap Ensemble.
Current projects include a new music video release and composer tribute concert TBD.