scheduled to play at the Bermuda Festival this weekend, was unable to make the trip to the Island.

World famous pianist Jesus (Chucho) Valdes provided local jazz fans with a rare treat last night, and will do so again tonight, by giving solo performances at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for Performing Arts.

But according to Mr. Valdes, he was down to give a one-man show anyway and plans to bring in four members of his accompanying band had been formulated by him at the last minute. A story in yesterday's Royal Gazette reported that Mr.

Valdes' accompanying band had been refused entry to Bermuda by local Immigration officials.

But yesterday, Chief Immigration Officer Martin Brewer clarified the matter by saying the band had "never actually travelled to Bermuda''.

In a media release, Dr. Brewer explained it was not local officials, but Canadian and United States Immigration which had denied the group permission to travel through their countries on their way home from Bermuda.

"The Department of Immigration in Bermuda was prepared to waive Bermuda entry visas for members of the band provided its members could obtain transit visas through the United States or Canada,'' he said. "Band members were able to obtain entry visas for travel through the US to Bermuda but were unable to obtain visas for travel back through Canada.

"The Immigration Department contacted the United States Consulate in Bermuda, with which the department has an excellent working relationship, but unfortunately the rules prevented second visas being issued to band members to allow them to travel back the US.'' Dr. Brewer stressed that his department had an "excellent record'' in assisting Bermuda Festival organisers with their visa issues.

But he added: "In this case, the band would have been able to come to Bermuda, but would not have been able to get back out.'' Dr. Brewer said band leader Mr. Valdes had not been required to obtain a Bermudian entry visa because "his transit visas were in good order''. In an interview with The Royal Gazette yesterday, the two time Grammy award winner confirmed his band's failure to make it here was "because of visas''.

But he said: "It's all the same anyway. I've given lots of solo performances before and the show will be just as good.'' Mr. Valdes explained that audiences could expect to enjoy jazz variations with Afro-Cuban rhythms mixed in.

He played some of the same sounds at Wednesday night's 42nd Annual Grammy awards in Los Angeles, mixing with the likes of Ricky Martin and Sting back stage. "It was a great atmosphere and there was a really good relationship between all of the musicians there,'' said Mr. Valdes, who is a 30-year veteran in the industry.

Explaining why people should try to get to his concerts, he said: "Because they will be able to listen to new things, new, exciting fusions of styles and sounds.'' And asked if he felt his music was a true art form, Mr. Valdes answered: "Definitely.'' Jesus (Chucho) Valdes ENTERTAINMENT ENT