scrambling to secure a new venue for a major local jazz concert planned for the weekend.

This Saturday's Jazz and Razmatazz Music Festival, featuring Bermudian jazz greats, has had to be cancelled, organiser Ms Lena Ostroff announced.

And as a result, Amnesty International-Bermuda suffered a "great financial loss''.

The concert -- postponed until further notice -- was to highlight the talent of more than 40 local jazz performers. It would have been one of the largest gatherings of jazz musicians ever in Bermuda.

Emphasising "no one was to blame'', Ms Ostroff explained organisers had believed they had permission to hold the festival at Southlands Estate in Warwick.

But they learned only a few days ago that they did not have permission from the "right people''.

Ms Ostroff said an Amnesty member who lived on the main property had given them the go-ahead. A similar -- but smaller -- concert had been held at Southlands last year.

But she said: "We were informed (by the Board of Trustees) that we could not hold the festival on Southlands property.'' Ms Ostroff said the Board of Trustees was apparently the body in charge of the estate.

Its members had expressed concern over the size of the concert and the fact it was open to the public.

Board member Mr. John Barritt, Sr., refused to comment.

Ms Ostroff added: "A tremendous amount of effort went into organising the festival. Our volunteers have been working tirelessly for the past three months putting this together.'' She said organisers had a grant from the Bob Marley Fund, administered by the US Amnesty International and set up to help developing branches promote human rights work through fund-raising events.

"Unfortunately, a great deal of the money has now been spent,'' she said.

"We must now figure out a way to repay the grant money and to raise enough money to produce another festival.'' Ticket holders can call the Amnesty office at 236-1120 for a refund.