T<$>HE Bermuda Folk Club will be rocking tomorrow as the Paul Gibbons Memorial Night boasts some of the island’s hottest amateur talent.“The night is to raise funds for our Paul Gibbons scholarship,” said a spokesman.

“The scholarship award is in the amount of $1,000, and goes towards tuition for a student musician — not necessarily a guitar player, a flautist, violinist, cellist or pianist — who shows talent, enthusiasm and dedication to learn and, equally importantly, who NEEDS this scholarship in order to continue lessons.”

The Bermuda School of Music and the Folk Club together identify the recipient student.

Last year, the first year of the award, it went to a young flautist, who showed talent and dedication.

“We have to see commitment to learn, that is an important requisite,” added the spokesman.

Among the first to be added to tomorrow night’s list of performers is the Jim Lahey Experience whose members include Marcel Zettler on guitar.

Hailing from Manitoba, Canada, he has entertained at the Folk Club over the last five years. The multi-talented Zettler plays the lead guitar, bass guitar and drums on different occasions.

When he is not showcasing his talent he is busy organising numerous Folk Club nights, including “Canadian Night” which has always been a big success.

Also in the band is Mike MacPhee on guitar. He’s from Nova Scotia, Canada. This guy has been described as a “guitar wizard”.

To describe him as very good is an understatement. He moved to the island two and a half years ago and has been playing guitar at the Folk Club ever since.

He has played here with such notables as Sharon Murphy and Ed Flynn, both of whom have now left the island. He and his roommates have hosted the famous “Tatemfest”, a live outdoor musical extravaganza, for the past two years.

Shawn Angiers, a singer from Ontario, has one of the best voices around. He can sing any style of music and over the past few years has amassed a large following of fan base that supports him wherever he sings. He has also appeared in plays put on by the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

Nick Wadson on drums is from Bermuda. He teaches drumming to students at his drum studio in Washington Lane. Nick’s prowess is second to none and has enjoyed stints with such groups as the Piece of the Rock Band and On Da Mind.

Each of these four musicians is amazing in his own right, but when they team up, they create the perfect band — the Jim Lahey Experience.

Another musician confirmed for tomorrow’s show is trumpeter Hiram Edwards, who really needs no introduction as he has carved his niche on the local music scene.Also returning to the island for this memorable occasion is Warren Ambrose. Born and raised in Toronto, he has been singing and playing guitar for the better part of 27 years (although he admits to not playing professionally). He lived in Bermuda from 1991 to 1994 and served as Folk Club president in 1993 and returned to play at the club in 1996 (this was his last appearance at the Old Colony Club).

He said: “I am happy to have known Paul Gibbons and considered him a friend.”

He’s now living just outside of Toronto with his wife Kelly, who has also performed with him at the club, his Bermuda-born 12-year-old daughter Emily and his five-year-old son Nathan.

“My musical influences are James Taylor, CSN&Y, The Band, Jackson Browne,: Blue Rodeo, America, Cat Stevens, The Beatles and many others.” He says he considers Bermuda his second home.

Also appearing tomorrow night will be reporter Scott Neil, who will perform some original tunes.

Admission to the show is $10. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start.