One of the Island's top jazz bands will head to Cuba to perform in the 25th Annual Havana International Jazz Festival next year.

The Unit beat out four other groups performing in Battle of the Bands, a Father's Day competition at the Leopards Club.

The five-man band is now preparing to collect on the grand prize – the opportunity to perform in a festival featuring top Latin jazz bands in February.

Said drummer Andwele' Simons: "It's an awesome chance to gain experience and observe the professionals."

The Leopards Club competition required each of the five bands to perform three songs in the genres of jazz, R&B, funk and Latin music.

They were judged on stage presence, audience participation, musicianship, preparedness and appearance.

The Unit performed two jazz arrangements and a Latin arrangement.

Mr. Simons said: "We performed 'The World is a Ghetto' by War, 'Summertime' from the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess and a Latin piece entitled 'Mashkinata' by Sergio Mendez and Brazil."

He said the band's most challenging number was the Black Eyed Peas version of 'Mashkinata', as the arrangement is a little tricky. We had a chance to listen to our competition and I think that the bands all did really well. I especially liked Tempo.

"When we were performing 'Mashkinata', the audience really loved our delivery and joined in. It was at that time I realised we had an edge," he said.

The win provided them with a golden opportunity to perform on an international stage.

"We were really excited about winning," said Mr. Simons. "It is a big dream of ours to play in an international jazz festival so the fact that we will be is awesome."

The Unit features John Lee on bass guitar, Lionel Edwards on saxophone and Bob Lansing on guitar and 16-year-old Ben Lusher on keyboard.

For its Cuba performance, the band is preparing a repertoire of 20 songs – a mix of popular hits and some original arrangements.

"I will be definitely taking notes when I'm there," said Mr. Simons

"I aim to learn from the local musicians and the music scene, the culture, to make ourselves better."

As part of their prize, The Unit was invited to lunch at Mickey's Bistro and a cymbals from Sabian Cymbal Company.

Public shows prior to their departure include Friday performances during Happy Hour at the Leopards Club.