Government has praised members of the band 'The Unit' for an "outstanding performance" in the 25th Annual International Havana Jazz Festival.

The band, which was chosen by a panel of judges at the Leopards Club last year, performed at the festival in Cuba in February to rave reviews.

In a ministerial statement, Minister of Culture Dale Butler said: "The band played exceptionally well and were well received with standing ovations.

"Bermuda's Unit did us proud, so much so they generated an extremely enthusiastic response from the crowd and from the other musicians."

The Unit consists of Lionel Edwards, Andwele Simons, Rob Lansing, Ben Lusher and John Lee, plus manager Selena Fields-Lambert.

Up to $35,000 was needed to send the musicians to Cuba and Mr. Butler praised the work of the organising committee of Eddie Ming, Wendell 'Shine' Hayward, Darlene Ming, David Durham and Selena Fields-Lambert for raising $22,000 in funding. Government contributed the remaining $13,000 "in recognition of this outstanding achievement for our Bermudian musicians".

Mr. Butler in his statement also praised the work of local musician Eddie Ming, who has "impressed the Cubans so much that they have awarded him the status of Professor".

The Minister said Mr. Ming has been invited to teach in six of Cuba's cultural schools. He has also arranged for 15 of his students and 15 parents to visit Cuba this August to take part in joint-workshops.