To add that extra pop and sizzle to this years? 2005 Bermuda Music Festival, the likes of Joss Stone, Al Green, Patti La Belle and Chris Botti will weave their magic on the Island later this year.

The line-up of local talent performing during the festival from October 5-8 includes George Simons, Cal Simons, Gary Bean, Gita Blakeney, Joy Barnum, Twanee Butterfield and Sia Spence.

At a press conference yesterday Tourism Minister Ewart Brown announced that Bermuda?s newest radio station, HOTT 107.5 would join Festival Productions as the local producer for the Bermuda Music Festival.

The pre-festival performances will begin on the Wednesday night at the Fairmont Southampton featuring award wining and current Steelband Festival Champion and the Caribbean Panorama Champion ? Exodus Steelband.

Thursday night will be an Old School/ New School soul night featuring Rev. Al Green who is known the world over for his unmistakable sound and legendary hits like ?Love and Happiness? and ?Let?s Stay Together?.

Thursday will also showcase the sultry soulful sounds of Joss Stone, a newcomer to the music scene with a voice that has been compared to that of Janis Joplin.

Bermudian entertainers George Simons, Gary Bean and Cal Simons will also join the stage performing an Old School Review.

The weekend will start on Friday with performances by Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber and Richard Elliott who will pay tribute to saxophone great, Grover Washington, Jr.

This will be followed by gifted trumpeter Chris Botti and the Tony Grandberry Band.

Friday night will be rounded off with a fiery songsteress, Angie Stone, who is synonymous for bringing Neo Soul into the forefront of the international musical scene.

Opening Friday night will be Bermuda?s own lady of soul, Gita Blakeney.

The Music Festival will come to an end on Saturday night with a showcase including Courtney Pine and the unique sounds of Regina Carter, haled by Time Magazine as ?the future of Jazz?.

Multi-Grammy Award winner Patti La Belle will perform on the Saturday night.

After more than 40 years, this two-time Grammy Award winning legend continues to solidify herself as a musical pioneer.

Dr. Brown said he was grateful that she would be showcasing her talents at this years? Music Festival and would be joined by Bermudian divas Joy Barnum, Twanee Butterfield and Sia Spence who would start the show.

?All three nights of the Main Stage performances will be hosted by Bermuda?s comedian performer, Bootsie and 2005 Bermuda Teen Idol and Bermuda Idol winners will make special guest appearances throughout the festival,? he said.

Dr. Brown added that showcasing Bermudian talent was an integral part of the overall objective of the Bermuda Music Festival.

He said Bermuda has a wealth of talent and the Ministry of Tourism felt that it was important to develop local musicians.

In the run-up to the Music Festival, marketing has already begun on vacation packages offered online.

These include airfare, hotel accommodation and festival tickets.

Dr. Brown said the feedback he was receiving from the line up of artists already has people buzzing about the festival.

?And that?s what we want ? to translate that buzz into visitors to our shores,? he said.

He added that tickets will be available locally starting August 1 at Soundstage.

Tickets will cost $60 for general admission and $85 for reserved and $100 for premium reserved seats.

Tickets can be purchased online at bermudamusicfestival.com starting June 13, using the electronic ticketing system ? a new feature to the distribution process for the festival.

Dr. Brown said another new feature at this years? festival was the introduction of Trophy Suites.

?This unique concept lends itself perfectly for corporate entertaining or simply the gathering of friends and families,? he said.

While the trophy suites will be used as a benefit to sponsors, it will also be available for purchase at $30,000 a night.

He said the suite, enclosed facilities with air conditioning and private restrooms, included an entertainment area that could be used for food and beverage facilities and seating for 30 people on the second level.

Deanna Wade at the Department of Tourism can be contacted for further details.

This years? festival is sponsored by the Fairmont Southampton, Fairmont Hamilton Princess and HSBC Bank of Bermuda.