The 10th Annual Bermuda Music Festival gets underway this evening with reggae and romance.

The Manhattans and Bermuda?s own Jahstice Reggae Movement Band will take the stage at the Fairmont Southampton Beach Club at 8 p.m. this evening.

After 41 years in the music business The Manhattans, who are named after the drink and not the city, are still going strong.

Some of the older members have retired and they have been replaced by a dynamic younger group of performers, who have all left their mark in the band?s history.

Fans can expect to hear songs which may include ?One Life To Live?, ?There?s No Me Without You?, ?We Never Danced To A Love Song?, ?Hurt? and ?Kiss And Say Goodbye?, which was a platinum selling number one pop and R&B hit in 1976.

A few of the others from that era were ?Feels So Good?, ?You?re My Life? and ?There?s No Good In Goodbye?.

In 2003 the band released its first album in 15 years and they spun out the hit single ?Turn Out The Stars?, showing that time had not dimmed them in any way.

The original band members were Winfred (Blue) Lovett, Richard Taylor, Kenny Kelley, George (Smitty) Smith and Sonny Bivins.

Mr. Smith and band leader and songwriter Mr. Lovett and were the group?s lead singers.

After Mr. Smith became ill 35 years ago Phil Terrell stepped in as temporary lead singer until a permanent replacement could be found. Later the same year Gerald Alston, whose style paid homage to the legendary and late Sam Cooke took over as lead singer.

Mr. Alston was more of a pop singer than either Mr. Lovett or Mr. Smith, and his incorporation into the group enabled The Manhattans to break out of their mould as doo-woppers and achieve major national success with a Teddy Randazzo love song entitled ?A Million To One?.

In 1993, after separating within the music industry, they thought it was a perfect time to reunite with their 30th anniversary approaching in 1994.

So, along with new members Troy May and David Tyson, a reunion tour was born. At one point vocalist Regina Belle was also a member of the band before being signed as a solo artist.

The Manhattans have received their share of platinum and gold singles, albums, and other industry kudos; most notably a 1980 Grammy for ?Shining Star?, which was written and produced by Leo Graham.

Several years later on February 25, 1999 The Manhattans were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

After many years of providing entertainment to locals and tourists alike, the Jahstice Reggae Movement Band has earned its reputation as Bermuda?s premier reggae band.

The band was originally known as Youth Creation and has also been around since the early 80s.

The members made the commitment to uplift people with a positive musical message.

Jahstice members are band leader and one of the founding member, Andrew (Packie) Packwood, Thyra (Sissy) Bascome, lead vocalist, Ralph (Papa) Flood and Calvin (Bussy Dread) Jones on keyboards, Alfred (Alfie/One Love) Fubler on rhythm guitar, Michael (Mikey Spice) Williams, on saxophone, and Jimmy (Furb) Furbert on drums and vocals.

?Youth Creation was the first reggae band to appear at the Southampton Princess Hotel (now Southampton Fairmont),? said Mr. Mr. Packwood.

?As Youth Creation, we successfully pressed a single entitled ?Come In A De Land? and also cut an album entitled ?Jah?s On Our Side? in 1987.

?Both productions received favourable reviews from fans locally and abroad.?

Youth Creation won the prestigious Brammy award or the local version of the Grammy?s for Album of the Year and Band of the Year.

?It has been upholding our standards of excellence built on the foundation of Youth Creation, as the newly renamed Jahstice Reggae Movement, we continued to receive awards in the best reggae band category, twice being named favourite band and favourite new band or group.?

The name Jahstice was chosen in 1991 to reflect the band?s philosophy of Jah - Standing Tall In Christ Everlasting.

They have been one of the most sought after reggae bands in Bermuda and have been the opening act for numerous overseas artists such as Third World, Steele Pulse, Aswad, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Inner Circle, Byron Lee and the Dragoniers and are now opening for The Manhattans.

?We have also played alongside some of Bermuda?s premier entertainers and musicians such as saxophonist Wendell (Shine) Hayward and Kevin Maybury,? said Mr. Packwood.

?The band has toured internationally and made appearances at the Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (RAW) Conference and Reggae Sunsplash, held annually in Jamaica.?

Jahstice is one of the hottest acts on the club circuits drawing a loyal following of fans during performances at local hotels, beach clubs, weddings and corporate hospitality events.

Their playing style is unique, as the band seeks to expand its repertoire from traditional reggae classics from Bob Marley to jazz influenced original pieces. This highly interactive band has gained a mass following both locally and overseas with a stage presence that is second to none.

?Perhaps the crowning jewel for the band during the 1999 club circuit tour was playing for the crews of the visiting NATO warships,? he said.

?In a highly charged performance that was worth the price of admission, our well-oiled music machine had the normally conservative local audience taking to the dance floor.?

The band believes that their staying power is strictly due to their ?delivering a positive message in their music?.

?Meeting musical challenges has never been an obstacle, for the band has a diverse range of talent among its nine members and it is not unusual for a fan to ask for a request, which is not on the playlist and be obliged by the band?s range of sound and selections,? he said.

?Those who have followed Jahstice?s career over the years have agreed they feel uplifted when all is said and done.

?Through the band?s tireless efforts, we continue to work together to raise the standards of our performances and can be best described as the flagship of local reggae bands.?

Tickets are available at Sound Stage, Washington Mall, or www.bermudafestival.com.

The tickets for this evening?s venue are $50.

After parties at Snorkel Park will feature Jahstice on Thursday, Prestege, on Friday, and Pulse on Saturday night.