GOLD COAST JAZZ SOCIETY, INC.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

Gold Coast Jazz Society Band About the Gold Coast Jazz Society Band Gold Coast Jazz Society Band, formed in 1994 by Lee Amlie and jazz guitarist Simon Salz, embodies the best in traditional and classic jazz.  Comprised of South Florida resident musicians, many with international reputations and credits, the band’s musicians share in their desire to perform and preserve America’s musical heritage of jazz. For over twenty years, the band has been featured on the Gold Coast Jazz mainstage concert series at the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale.  They have performed for audiences from Sarasota to Miami, with such jazz greats as Dick Hyman, Howard Alden, Frank Vignola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Richie Cole and Bob Wilbur.  The band has performed at the Kravis Center, the Broward Performing Arts Center, the Bonnet House JazzFest, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society’s Seafood Festival and annually at the Fort Lauderdale SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch.   They have also been the featured entertainment for area concert series, festivals, fairs, special events and corporate events.  In addition, the Gold Coast Jazz Society Band performs several jazz education concerts for children as a part of the Broward County Public School SEAS Program and in area schools, libraries and museums for other outreach and education programs.  Music Director, Gold Coast Jazz Society Band Guitarist and vocalist Martin Hand was appointed in 2013 to lead the Gold Coast Jazz Society Band.  Martin has extensive experience working with national and international artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Warren Vache', Harry Allen, Dave Valentin, Peter Nero, Nell Carter, Eddie Harris, Henry Mancini, Darius Rucker, Bernadette Peters, Andrea McCardle, Trini Lopez, Burt Bacharach, Barbara McNair, Julie Budd, Blackstone, Jack Jones, Al Martino, The Lettermen, The Fifth Dimension, Eartha Kitt, Destino, Vic Damone, Dinah Shore, Maureen McGovern, Melissa Manchester, Maria Osmond, Monica Mancini, Patti Austin, Robert Klein, Michael Feinstein, Ann Hampton Calloway, Arturo Sandoval, David Benoit, Jeff Kashua, The Supremes, The Platters, Sam and Dave, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Rupert Holmes, Roy Clark, Tommy Tune, Joel Gray, Joe Piscopo, Tommy Mitchell and Doc Severinson. His affiliation with numerous shows and musical productions include "Storyville" for the Miami Shores Theater, "The Spitfire Grill', "The Last Five Years" for the Stage Door Theatre, "The Alter Boyz" at Parker Playhouse, "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts,  "Vices" at The Caldwell Theatre, "The Lion King" and  "The Carbonnell Awards" at the  Broward Center for the Performing Arts and "Copa Cabana" at the Jackie Gleason Theatre. Frederick G. Ruffner, Jr. had a vision to bring more jazz to the “Gold Coast” area of South Florida.  In 1992, Fred and a group of avid jazz buffs made this vision a reality by forming a non-profit organization called the Gold Coast Jazz Society in Fort Lauderdale, FL.      Following its formation, the GCJS developed a concert series, which was presented in the main dining room of the historic Riverside Hotel, located on the famous Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.  As the concert series continued to grow and expand, a larger venue was required.  The concert series was eventually moved to the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, located in the Arts & Science District of Fort Lauderdale.  Today, the seven-concert jazz series continues to be presented in the Amaturo Theater each year from November through May.  Over the years the Society has grown and expanded to include the presentation of jazz education and community outreach activities, the Jeanette M. Russell Jazz Scholarship Program, and many special events throughout the year.  Mission/Vision Mission/Vision Our Mission Statement: The mission of the Gold Coast Jazz Society is to perpetuate and advance the cultural art form of jazz through performances, education and outreach activities. Vision Statement: Gold Coast Jazz Society is recognized as a premier model for creating an innovative and effective arts organization with broad-based support for an interest in jazz and enhancing the quality of life in the community through engaging audience members, musicians and educators across cultures.