Charles Bascome is back and with him comes the 18th Annual Evening of Jazz.

Back-to-back performances begin at the City Hall Theatre tonight, when jazz enthusiasts can enjoy the talents of violinist Christian Howes, bass player Cedric Easton, pianist Frederico Lechnner and the Toni Bari Trio.

Mr. Bascome has also organised a musical treat for the younger generation Mr. Howes is presenting a free workshop for youths at City Hall this afternoon.

Both events have grown in popularity with each year.

"People just seem to want to be a part of it," said Mr. Bascome of the concerts to be held tonight and tomorrow night. "Without their support there is no way that you can keep it going.

"And it is a good thing, because it gives Bermuda a chance to be exposed to a different form of art. We don't get a lot of jazz in Bermuda, so we try to bring in artists of a high calibre."

Four scholarships have been handed out since the Charles Bascome Music Scholarship Fund was started seven years ago.

The grant is based on the same concept as the clinic presenting musical opportunities to the Island's youths and depends heavily on the community's attendance this weekend.

"He is a jazz violinist and he is also a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music," said Mr. Bascome. "He is a great artist, he has a lot of knowledge and he is a good teacher and he is willing to do the clinic.

"The clinic is more or less for the kids who are really into music. It is going to be very relaxing.

"He may play a couple of tunes and then let the kids ask questions. [Give them advice] if they want to make a career out of music, let them know what is involved, how they should practise. It will be a nice educational and fun hour and they are free to ask him whatever they want.

"It is a free clinic and it is good chance to expose the kids to some more professional artists which they don't get to see," Mr. Bascome explained. "Right now they [the scholarships] are worth $1,000, so we are just hoping that we will get the support because this is our main fund-raiser so that we can continue with the scholarships and also to increase the value of them."

Another event held in the summer, the Sunset Dinner Cruise, had been going on for a decade.

"People really love that because it is very relaxing," he said. "We don't cater to a large group of people, maybe between 125 and 150. It's on the Lady Tamara [and] usually takes place the Sunday after Cup Match. It is a dinner cruise and we have live entertainment."

A reception follows tonight's concert, sponsored by Bacardi Ltd., Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Conyers Dill & Pearman, Bermuda Pest Control, Bermuda Press, John Barritt & Son Ltd. and Capital G.

"There is no way that I could do this without them," explained Mr. Bascome. "With their help it makes for a nice, classy evening, they have a chance to meet the artists. So it is a nice social evening."

Admission is $60 tonight; $50 tomorrow. Tickets are available at 27th Century Boutique, People's Pharmacy and www.boxoffice.bm.

A portion of the funds raised will be donated to the Charles Bascome Music Scholarship Fund.

Today's workshop takes place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.