Bermuda's October jazz festival is to be tied into a village jamboree to enhance the Island's appeal to visitors.

The popular West End show, due to take place on October 15 and 16, is being linked to the Flatts Village Festival, which is scheduled for the daytime of the second day.

And the two events are being promoted alongside entertainment being offered by several Island hotels, aimed at luring US visitors here for an end of season break.

Extensive advertising is pushing the festival in the US east coast, along with editorial coverage in the upmarket Conde Nast Traveller magazine -- a co-sponsor of the music event.

Target areas include New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta, with three day, four night packages, including concert tickets, starting at $729.

Last year the two-day show pulled in over 1,000 people, and this year Tourism Minister David Allen predicted an increase in attenders.

He could not say how many packages had been sold but said it was early days, as tickets had only gone on sale two weeks ago.

"Ticket sales took off immediately, so well that we are anticipating an increase in interest this year,'' he said.

As well as colour adverts in glossy magazines, commercials are being carried in newspapers and on radio.

Scheduled to attend the event are Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, George Benson, Oleta Adams and Joe Sample.

Local performers are also due to take part and the Minister is hoping that US vacationers will take in the popular Flatts festival during the day.

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINERS ENT