The `Great Sound' of jazz is set to `swing' into Bermuda this weekend.

And a Dockyard stage built into the waters of the Great Sound will provide a stunning backdrop for some of the coolest music around.

As with the previous festivals, this year's lineup includes a number of popular local acts.

The smooth sounds of Gita Blakeney and Shine Hayward kick off the opening night of the festival. Jonathan Butler and The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman and Lee Ritenour will round out the evening.

On Saturday night, LeYoni Junos and Tempo will entertain the audience with their sultry music before international jazz performers Kevin Eubanks, Nnenna Freelon and The Manhattan Transfer take to the stage.

Both concerts get underway at 7 p.m. and organisers estimate that the concerts will continue until midnight -- giving jazz lovers plenty of bang for their buck.

General admission for each concert is $45, but for those who want to be sure of where you are sitting before the performances, reserve seating is available at a cost of $55 per seat.

Tickets can be obtained from 27th Century Boutique on Burnaby Street in Hamilton, The Music Box on Reid Street in Hamilton or York Street in St.

George's, Elbow Beach Hotel, Sonesta Beach Hotel, Southampton Princess Hotel and the Ships Inn Book Gallery at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

If fighting the traffic along the only road into the Royal Naval Dockyard is not your scene, you might want to take to the high seas.

Ferry transportation will be available from the Hamilton Ferry Terminal on Front Street. Boats heading to the West End of the Island will leave the dock at 5.30 and 7 p.m. and will return to Hamilton at 10.30 p.m. and 11.45 p.m.

Ferry transportation will cost $3 each way for those with proof of festival ticket. Those without concert tickets will be charged $3.75 each way.

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