top artists in an Evening of Jazz at City Hall next month.

Wallace (Wally) Richardson and Lisle Atkinson have played with some of the jazz greats in their long careers.

But on Friday March 18 and Saturday March 19, they will lead local stars Charles Bascome, Ronald Lightbourn and Maxwell Maybury.

Guitarist Richardson, 64, has played with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman and Tony Bennett in a career stretching 48 years.

Bass violinist Atkinson is 10 years his junior but has shared the stage with the likes of Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Billy Taylor and Kenny Burrell.

Richardson studied the piano at the age of seven but performed as a guitarist and vocalist in his school's stage band in Brooklyn, New York.

Professionally his career began at 16, substituting for other musicians at the Parisian Dance Hall on 47th and Broadway.

In 1951 the military interrupted his career but he learned the tuba and percussion while stationed in New Jersey and Alaska. He received an honourable discharge in 1953.

His travels have included tours of Canada, the US, Japan and an engagement at Bermuda's Forty Thieves, with Millard Williams.

Richardson's freelance studio work includes being the initial guitarist on television's "Sesame Street.'' He has been married for 38 years to Vivian Louise who is the daughter of Bermuda-born parents Clarence F. Wilson and Florence DeShields Wilson. She has many relatives on the Island.

His partner in many bands, Lisle Atkinson began to study the violin at the age of four and played his first concert at six.

Atkinson is founder and director of the Neo Brass Ensemble which plays around the New York area.

Concert presenter and drummer Charles Bascome has an impressive list of performances. He has played with Diana Ross and the Supremes, Dione Warwick, Cab Calloway, Benny King, Roy Castle, Lovelace Watkins and Rolf Harris.

Tickets for the concerts are available from the 27th Century Boutique, Sabrina's, Casey's Lounge and Star Light Service. part proceeds will go to the Packwood Home.

Wallace (Wally) Richardson Lisle Atkinson.