Jazz band The Unit won the chance to play at both the Bermuda Music Festival and the Havana International Jazz Festival in Cuba after impressing judges at a weekend competition.

They beat off four other bands to win slots at the prestigious events with their set at the Leopards Club on Sunday afternoon in front of five judges lead by Professor Eddie Ming of the Eddie Ming School of Music in St. George's.

Second place went to Tempo led by Randy Lambert.

Minister of Culture and Rehabilitation Dale Butler has said of the jazz festival in Cuba next February: "Bermudians will gain the experience of performing alongside and learning from some of the best Latin and international jazz performers from around the world."

He was impressed by the talent on display at Leopard's Club on Sunday, telling The Royal Gazette: "It was jam-packed and was one of the best afternoons of jazz I've ever seen in my life with incredible professionalism and song selections."

Mr. Lee has said in the past of his involvement in music: "It has certainly benefited me and has taken me places where I would have never gone — it is the international language and is a basis for friendship."