July 11, 2007

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. (July 2, 2007) – Coming in August 2007, music lovers and beach lovers can experience the best of both worlds, as Florida’s Gulf Islands come alive for the inaugural Jazz on the Islands. During the month-long musical event, locals and visitors can gather at numerous restaurants, outdoor cafes and bars on Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch to enjoy live jazz.

Through a partnership with Jazzradio.net Berlin, this full month of cool jazz will feature a ticketed August 10 performance at the Crosley Estate by internationally-acclaimed, award-winning German jazz guitarist Nils. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the synergistic and high energy jazz Michael Royal Quartet and the Latin sounds of Orquesta Infinidad*. Nils' 2005 smooth jazz hits, 'Pacific Coast Highway' and 'Summer Nights' earned top spots on radio in the U.S. and Canada. Visit www.nilsmusic.com, www.michaelroyal.com and www.orquestainfinidad.com for further information on the artists.

More than a dozen area restaurants and bars will provide backdrops for the live jazz entertainment, including local favorites KoKo Ray, John Dewey, the Diane Linscott Trio and Tom Barrett’s Sophisticated Jazz. Visitors can relax to the sounds of Hard Bop and Groove, Fusion and Smooth Jazz, all while soaking up the islands’ Old Florida charm and outstanding cuisine at Zio’s Old World Italian in Bradenton, Ooh La La Bistro in Holmes Beach, the Sand Bar on Anna Maria, and Beach House Restaurant on Bradenton Beach. Jazzradio.net’s deejay, Leslie Nachmann, will host her live daily "White Room" broadcast from the Hilton Longboat Key Beach Resort.

From boutique inns to cozy mini-resorts, several of the islands' quaint hotels, villas, and cottages are offering discounted rates and vacation packages during Jazz on the Islands. Participating properties include Anna Maria Beach Cottages, Palm Tree Villas, Magnoila Inn, Tortuga Inn Beach Resort and Sea Club I, to name a few. Rates are available for nightly or weekly rentals and most accommodations offer the comfy extras guests adore: pillow-top mattresses, extra large plush towels, private patios, gas barbecue grills, and bicycles for navigating around the island.

Jazz on the Islands is organized by the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in partnership with Jazzradio.net Berlin. For an updated list of scheduled performances and to book your special accommodations package, visit www.jazzontheislands.com.

The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes tourism to Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch through domestic and international advertising, public relations and marketing efforts. For further information, contact
800-4-MANATEE or visit www.floridagulfislands.com.

*For ticket information and pricing please visit www.jazzontheislands.com or call 800-251-2450.