The Bermuda Festival's Fringe Festival, 'Dahn de Hill to Daylesford', presents its penultimate offering tonight in the form of a jazz concert.

However, it has a sad note as the scheduled bassist for 'Acoustic Swing', Chalky Virgil, died last week, so tonight's performance will also be a tribute to the outstanding Bermudian musician who enjoyed more than 60 years in the music business, which included playing at New York's famous Birdland with the likes of Oscar Peterson, Jerry Mulligan, Arthur Prysock and Dinah Washington.

Expected to take Mr. Virgil's place is the world-renowned bass player Dave Jackson, who was born in New York, but is of Bermudian heritage.

The holder of a Master's degree from Columbia University, he has travelled to perform at jazz festivals all over the world. Mr. Jackson has appeared with numerous big bands, including those of Count Basie, TS Monk, and Illinois Jacquet, as well as with such greats as Sonny Rollins, Kenny Burrell, Roy Hanes, Dakota Staten and Billy Eckstein.

He also played for Ruth Brown with drummer Clarence (Tootsie) Bean in the US, and is delighted to be playing alongside him again at tonight's concert.

As a tribute to the late Mr. Virgil, the visiting bassist will play Mr. Virgil's upright bass.

The third member of tonight's trio is professional pianist Tony Bari, who is well known to local audiences. In addition to performing as a soloist with his smooth, sophisticated jazz band, Mr. Bari is an entertainer, vocalist, master of ceremonies and musical director. He performs a wide variety of music from all eras.

Tootsie Bean has been playing jazz for almost 60 years. He started playing locally as a child in calypso and dance bands, before moving to New York in 1950 to study drums with Bay Perry and vibraphones with Fred Albright.

Highlights of his career include playing with The Countsmen, whose members were from the Count Basie Band led by Earl Warren.

He also toured extensively and internationally, performing in such prestigious locations as Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian, the Lincoln Center, Blue Note, for former US President Bill Clinton's inauguration and at the Hollywood Bowl. Mr. Bean has also made countless recordings, and worked with many distinguished performers, including BB King, Anne Hampton Calloway and Savion Glover.

He now lives in Bermuda with his family.

Showtime tonight is 9 p.m. For further information and tickets see the special Bermuda Festival website, www.bermudafestival.org