It’s all systems go for the four major Bermuda Jazz Festival events, which kick off tomorrow night at the Fairmont Southampton Princess hotel and ends on Sunday, September 8 at Dockyard. The mix of local and visiting musicians promises to make for great listening, with something for everyone. This is the line-up:

Tomorrow at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel: The Manhattans and Alex Bugnon. Showtime is 8.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. Tickets: Advance $35, at the door: $40. Available: Sound Stage and 27th Century Boutique.

Thursday, Sepember 5 at Dockyard: Smooth Jazz All Stars featuring Angela Bofill, Bobbi Humphrey, Marcus Johnson, Bobby Lyle, Jimmy Sommers, Natalie Reiter and Sy Smith, Bermuda All Stars featuring Andy Narell. Showtime: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Gates open 6 p.m. Tickets: Reserved seating $70, general admission $50. Available: Sound Stage, 27th Century Boutique.

Friday, September 6 at Dockyard: Jazz concert featuring: Ang?lique Kidjo, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers, Shine Hayward & Friends. Showtime: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Gates open 6 p.m. Tickets: Reserved seating $70, general admission $50. Available: Sound Stage, 27th Century Boutique.

Saturday, September 7 at Dockyard: Jazz concert featuring: George Duke, India. Arie, Dianne Reeves, Randy Lambert & Tempo. Showtime: 4 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. Tickets: Reserved seating $70, general admission $50. Available: Sound Stage, 27th Century Boutique.

For those who cannot afford big ticket prices but want to hear good music performed by some of Bermuda’s most talented artists, the Bermuda Jazz Festival offers three free concerts in Par-la-Ville park this week, and another during Harbour Night. The schedule is as follows:

Today in Par-la-Ville Park: Lunchtime jazz jam, 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Tomorrow in Par-la-Ville Park: Lunchtime jazz jam, 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. featuring local artists. Harbour Night on Front Street: Jazz for your soul, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Participating Jazz Festival hotels are offering entertainment are as follows:

Tomorrow at the Elbow Beach Resort: Jazz in the Verandah Bar with Tony Bari. Tel. the concierge at 236-3535 for further information. At Sonesta Beach Resort: Happy hour featuring jazz DJ on the beach, 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Admission free.

Sunday, September 8 at Sonesta Beach Resort: Silk & Spice buffet and jazz night featuring Randy Lambert and Tempo. Cost: $43 plus 15 percent gratuities. From 6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Further information: tel. 239-3114.

WHO’SWHO ATTHIS

YEAR’SFESTIVAL

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INDIA.ARIE

India.Arie approaches her unique brand of acoustic soul with genuine dedication, emotion, and a great open mind. From the coffee houses of Atlanta and Philadelphia to the stage of Lility Fair, she’s already left an impression well beyond her 25 years. Acoustic Soul, her Motown debut, attests to her gift as a singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and producer. It was nominated for seven Grammys, and has sold over 1.4 million copies.

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ROY AYERS

Roy Ayers discovered his love for the vibes after attending a Lionel Hampton concert, and went on to become a pioneer of jazz fusion and progressive R&B for over four decades. A younger generation was exposed to his prodigious talents in the early 90s, when modern hip-hop groups began incorporating his classic riffs into their original work. Over the years, Roy has won numerous awards for his musical and philanthropic contributions, and has been given keys to several US cities for his community service.

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ANGELA BOFILL

Angela Bofill has been singing professionally since the age of 15. Her 3 -octave range and unique blend of jazz fusion and soul were immediately apparent on her critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut album in 1978, and she continues to be a top pop and jazz vocalist. Angela’s real home is the stage, and in 2000 and 2001, she starred in the No.1 gospel play in the country, God Don’t Like Ugly, performing her classic R&B hit songs ‘Angel Of The Night’ and ‘This Time I’ll Be Sweeter’.

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GEORGE DUKE

Keyboardist and producer George Duke has been the indomitable captain of his own musical fate. His influences range from the classical masters and soul-liberating gospel hymns, to big-band jazz, jump blues, R&B, and rock & roll. He’s played with Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Williams, and Dizzy Gillespie, and was a member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. As a producer, he’s worked with Miles Davis, Hiroshima, Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, Smokey Robinson, and Glady’s Knight & the Pips, just to name a few.

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HERBIE HANCOCK

Herbie Hancock’s brilliant and eclectic musical career spans five decades, and almost every development in jazz, R&B, and pop. He started out as a child piano prodigy – performing a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony at the age of 11 – and was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet in the 60s. He continued on to genre-busting success in the succeeding decades - picking up awards, and setting new standards of innovation along the way. His most recent Grammy came in 1999 for Gershwin’s World.

WENDELL “SHINE”

HAYWARD

Although Wendell Hayward is best known for his musical performance on stage, he loves to act. He played the lead roll in ‘Before it Hits Home’, which remains his most memorable. Shien is the Founder and Director of The Bermuda National Youth Ensemble; Founder and two-time President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Bermuda; recipient of one of the two outstanding persons award from the Bermuda Jaycees; winner of two local Caribbean Song Competitions; and recipient of a Queens’ Certificate and a Badge of Honour.

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BOBBI HUMPHREY

Ms Humphrey’s career began in 1971, when she became the first female signed to Blue Notes Records. Since then she’s played her special brand of music to audiences all over the world, and has been named First Lady of the Flute by critics and listeners alike. She’s shared a bill with Sonny Rollins at the Newport Jazz Festival, was twice named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard magazine, and Best Female Vocalist by Cashbox.

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MARCUS JOHNSON

Self-taught pianist Marcus Johnson’s music seamlessly blends a number of styles, including contemporary jazz and hip-hop rhythms. This should come as no surprise, as he was weaned on rap, classical piano, 70s soul, and both traditional and contemporary piano masters such as Thelonius Monk and Joe Sample. In addition to being a well-rounded musician, Johnson has established his own entertainment and music publishing company. His most recent release is Urban Groove.

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ANGELIQUE KIDJO

While refusing to be limited to her native music, Kidjo combines the sounds of Afro-funk, reggae, samba, salsa, gospel, jazz, Zairean rumba, zouk, and makossa. The video for her international hit, Agolo, was nominated for a Grammy award, while a number of her songs have been featured on the soundtracks of such films as ‘My Favourite Season’, ‘Street Fighter’, and ‘Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls’. Inspired and strengthened by top-notch musicians and producers, Angelique Kidjo effectively and powerfully links African tradition to American soul music.

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RANDY LAMBERT

& TEMPO

A musical legend in Bermuda, Randy Lambert has been performing since the age of 12. A master guitarist, with the reputation of being Bermuda’s own “Jimi Hendrix”, Randy’s style and electrifying presence on stage has kept him on the cutting edge of the entertainment scene in Bermuda for many years. He has performed throughout Bermuda, Canada, and the USA. He formed his band, TEMPO, in 1991.

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BOBBY LYLE

Bobby Lyle has been a terrifically versatile keyboardist for decades, both as a combo leader and as a sideman. He’s played with Sly and the Family Stone, and made guest appearances on recordings with a host of talented artists, including George Benson and Phyllis Hyman. He was a musical director for Bette Midler, conducted for Anita Baker, and counts Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and Art Tatum among his earliest influences.

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DIANNE REEVES

Winner of a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal in 2001, Dianne Reeves has explored a variety of styles throughout her Blue Note recording career. She maintains that it is important to develop a unique voice, and that her strong jazz foundation has facilitated the exploration of her own individuality. And when it comes to live performance, Reeves says: “The stage is where I live; it’s where I comfortably walk on the edge. I love the magic that ignites between me, the musicians, and the audience.”

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NATALIE REITER

The versatile Natalie Reiter – a native of Arlington, Virginia – has displayed her singing and dancing talents for theatrical reviews in casinos and theatres all over the world. Most recently, Natalie was a featured singer/dancer for Julio Iglesias’ 2000-2002 world tour. She can also be seen and heard on the just-released CD/DVD Bebe Winans – Live and Up Close. Described as “a skilled performer with smooth and sultry moves and a voice to match”, Natalie is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Bermuda Jazz Festival.

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SY SMITH

A Washington, D.C. native, Sy studied classical piano for most of her childhood, then as a college student joined an all-female band. She moved to L.A., hoping to get a break in the music business. Sy sang background vocals for Eric Benet, Ginuwine, and Brandy, and toured with Whitney Houston and Macy Gray. Sy Smith is an exciting new star on the ascent with her incomparable beauty and fashion sense.

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JIMMY SOMMERS

While saxophonist Jimmy Sommers’ sound is rooted in the blues tradition – he often sat in at local clubs with blues legends such as Buddy Guy – Sommers has also embraced the disciplines of jazz, soul, R&B, pop, and hip-hop. His new release, 360 Urban Groove – featuring Ginuwine, Eric Benet, Sparkle, Les Nubians, Raphael Saadiq, Coolio, and Norman Brown – celebrates talent that is as eclectic as it is appealing.