take part in the 1999 Jazz Festival, it was an offer he couldn't refuse.

No stranger to the local entertainment scene -- he has been a member of the Sharx band for more than a decade -- the pianist saw it as an opportunity not only play something other than rock 'n' roll, but also to get together with some of his favourite musicians.

"Because it is a jazz festival, I wanted to do something a little bit different, and although they wanted to focus on me, and it is my name which is being projected, I wanted to feature some of the musicians I feel more comfortable working with,'' he explains.

"We have some really fine, talented musicians in Bermuda, but because of the present situation in the entertainment industry they don't get a chance to play as often as they would like.'' In putting together what he calls The Andrew Chamberlain Jazz Experience especially for the festival, the accomplished artist has called upon two local drummers whom he describes as "my favourites in the world'': Erwin Leader and Tony Cox.

"Both of them are left-handed, so it works out great,'' Mr. Chamberlain says.

"Tony will play a couple of the tunes, and Erwin will play a couple, as well alternating between drums and percussion -- timbales, kegs (congo drums) and the like, which adds a more rhythmical tone.'' Joining them will be Wensy Woolridge, whom Mr. Chamberlain describes as "probably the most outstanding bass player on the Island'', and vocalist Victor Chambray, another "outstanding'' artist with an extensive, versatile repertoire, who has been singing with the Sharx since they began.

Blues guitarist Robert Berry, son of the late Charlie Berry, will have a spot as guest artist -- another source of pleasure to Mr. Chamberlain who says "a lot of Bermudians don't realise just how talented he is''.

"I am so excited to be playing with these guys because we don't get the opportunity to play together often enough,'' the professional pianist-vocalist enthuses. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a match made in heaven.'' Indeed, while he admits to being somewhat nervous ("but that's healthy'') about the anticipated huge crowds who will be listening to his group open the jazz festival as opposed to the smaller audiences he is used to, Mr.

Chamberlain also welcomes the opportunity to "hit them with everything we've got''. "My whole plan with this package of friends is to have fun, and that is basically what I am looking to do,'' he promises.

The musician also hints that an extra treat may be in store.

"There is a good possibility that we might be having a guest artist sit in with us,'' he says.

Like all fine musicians, Mr. Chamberlain enjoys interacting with his fellow artists, and says that jazz provides a very special opportunity to do so.

"Jazz is a music that makes you listen, as opposed to rock 'n' roll, which you crank to 11,'' he explains. "In jazz, there is a very large degree of listening that takes place as well as performing. Being able to improvise is exciting because you never know what will happen.'' While he applauds the concept of a jazz festival, and is delighted to be a part of this year's event, Mr. Chamberlain notes that, compared to similar festivals abroad which run for a week, Bermuda's two-day event is very small in comparison, and he feels that organisers should strive to expand it to seven days in order to compete with other festivals, and attract more visitors from abroad.

"As a tourist market we have to compete at that level,'' he urges. "Of course, we must work up to that point, but by the same token we have these big name artists here. I think it would be good to have some of the "not so famous'' names playing in the clubs. We are forgetting about creating an arena for artists who are not necessarily well known but who would love to come down here. What I would like to see is some of the clubs getting involved.'' Like so many of Bermuda's musicians who deplore the dearth of employment opportunities now that the hotels have closed their night clubs, Mr.

Chamberlain believes that society needs to support music in all its forms.

While he has most recently been playing at the soon-to-close Surf Club on Front Street, most of his band's work comes from private functions booked through the hotels.

"The Sharx are still going strong,'' he assures, "but we are not playing anywhere for the Bermuda public. As a result I have been taken out of the limelight, and people forget about you really quickly when they don't see you.'' Like other successful Bermuda entertainers, however, Mr. Chamberlain stresses the importance of a good grounding in music studies, as well as the desire never to stop learning.

The son of well-known musician Mr. Jimmy Chamberlain, who played at the Princess hotel for 25 years, young Andrew always found his father's career inspiring, and reasoned that, since he appeared to be having such fun at it, he would like to follow in his footsteps.

Knowing how economically insecure and fickle the music industry could be, however, the older Chamberlain suggested instead that his son become a lawyer or a doctor, but Andrew was undeterred. "Dad was probably my biggest influence in terms of music,'' his son remembers. "He was a walking encyclopaedia, and he played with a great deal of spirit, which I wanted to pick up on. I am always pushing myself to try and capture that same sort of spirit.'' Mr. Chamberlain first studied piano with the late Mr. Anthony Ferraz and Mr.

Geoffrey Tankard, as well as Ms Lorraine Rosorea and Mrs. Marjorie Pettit.

Later, as an instrumental performance major, he studied jazz harmony at Boston's famed Berklee College of Music.

Today, he is still studying piano -- with Mr. Vic Glazer.

"If you think you are beyond studying, then you are never going to grow any further than you are,'' he explains.

Asked what he considered vital to becoming a good pianist, Mr. Chamberlain replied: "Classical training. To be able to play anything, and play it well, the classics are a `must.' "An open mind is also essential. In Bermuda's entertainment industry, you have to be very fluid and versatile, which has given me a chance to explore all the avenues of music, and that is what I have always enjoyed -- the different textures, and the cultural side of music in general.'' Married with two daughters -- Hannah (8) and Carly (7), whom the proud father says "love dancing, and sing like angels'', as well as three-and-a-half-month-old Matt -- the professional musician says that should any of them wish to follow in his footsteps, he would urge them to go abroad and gain the experience necessary to become really good performers.

"It gives you the ability to adapt, listen to and study with other great artists,'' he explains.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chamberlain finds it ironic that the very professionals his father wanted him to become are among those who now envy him his work.

"All in all, nothing can beat playing music,'' he says.

WHO'S ON FOR JAZZFEST '99 Who's on for Jazzfest '99 October 15: Al Jarreau and Patti Austin, Deletta Gillespie, The Andrew Chamberlain Jazz Experience.

October 16 : George Benson, Oleta Adams and Joe Sample, featuring Lalah Hathaway, the Bermuda All Star Jazz Band.

All acts appear at Dockyard General admission tickets ($50) are available from 27th Century Boutique and The Music Box.

All reserved seating has been sold out. Gates open at 6 p.m. For further information on the Internet contact www.bermudajazz.com