After 16 years of entertaining thousands in the V.I., jazz singer and pianist Sally Smith will be leaving in mid-July, prompting Gov. John deJongh Jr. to proclaim Sunday – when she takes the stage one last time – as "Sally Smith Day."

In a statement from Government House, DeJongh said the proclamation for the local "Queen of Jazz" was "in honor and recognition of her contributions to, and promotion of jazz music, as well as for her passionate dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and visitors."

DeJongh noted that Smith had also taught piano to hundreds of children and volunteered her services to just about every request made by local churches, the St. Thomas Synagogue, government agencies and many non-profit community organizations.

In addition to her weekly performances at St. Thomas and St. John clubs and restaurants, Smith has appeared on stage at the Reichhold Center for the Arts, Island Center, Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted, the Blue Bay Jazz Festival on St. Croix, the St. John Blues Festival, the Jazz in the Moonlight concert series on St. John and St. Croix, many USVI Department of Tourism events, local theater group productions, and countless weddings on all three islands. For the past five years, Smith has been part of St. John’s renowned Jazz Islanders.

The Jazz Islanders have invited the public to help them celebrate her legacy, starting at 4 pm at The Beach Bar in Cruz Bay on St. John, as Smith performs for the last time before relocating to the mainland. The governor’s statement said Smith and her husband, whose health is deteriorating, needed to be closer to medical facilities that can provide the necessary services for his care.

For further information contact Steve Simon at 643-6475.