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Steve Simon

Musician and concert producer Steve Simon never once doubted that his life would turn out the way it did. Now 62, the Brooklyn, N.Y. - born Simon retired in 2000 after a career spent as owner of automobile auction and finance companies. His two kids were grown and on their own, and he was ready for something different.

”I moved to my beloved St. John,” he said.

He and his wife of 31 years, Helen Simon, already owned a house on the island. When they moved south, he brought with him a burning interest in music that dates to his earliest years growing up in New Hyde Park, Long Island.

Simon soon made his mark on St. John. He started in late 2000 with the Jazz in the Moonlight concert series at Mongoose Junction shopping center. In 2002, he segued his concert promoting experiences into the St. John’s Blues Festival. The March event has grown to include a week-long roster of events around the island as well as the blow out event at the Coral Bay Ballfield. In 2005, he began the annual Christmas Festival and Music Parade, held just before Christmas to provide free entertainment for the island’s youth.

Meanwhile, Simon made two trips to Iraq on his Bluzapalooza concert tour to entertain U.S. troops, another to Cairo to entertain at the U.S. Embassy and has more embassy visits on his schedule.

When he’s not heading off to points distant, he plays Sundays at the Beach Bar in Wharfside Village and other locations with the Jazz Islanders, a group of local musicians that got together shortly after Simon’s arrival on St. John. In 2009, the group came out with their first CD Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders Recorded Live at the Beach Bar.

He also encourages several St. John youths.

“When I meet young men and women who are passionate about their musical talent, it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge and encourage them in every way I can because I know how important that acknowledgement and encouragement is,” he said.

Did we mention that he was also instrumental in forming Merchant’s Commercial Bank? It has a facility on St. Thomas with one about to open on St. John.

“I’ve always lived a large life. I’ve been blessed with more energy than I possible deserve at my age,” he said, laughing.