There will not be any "sleepy time" jazz at tonight's Music Festival in Dockyard if one performer holds true to his promise.

Alto saxophonist Mike Phillips of the Unwrapped All Stars predicted the band will rock the crowd and show their varied musical influences, in the opening performance of the ninth Annual Music Festival.

The Minister of Tourism also encouraged residents and tourists alike to come out to the ninth Annual Bermuda Music Festival yesterday at a Press conference highlighting the event.

Minister Ewart Brown that ticket sales were up by almost 50 percent for this year's event, which officially opens today and runs through Sunday night.

"To date we have sold over 7,000 tickets," he said. "This is a 47 percent increase over the same time in 2003. Most importantly, 2,500 visitors will be arriving, starting today, specifically for the festival.

"This is indeed a tremendous achievement and all Bermudians should be proud that the Department of Tourism has achieved its objective of using a high profile event such as the festival as a driver to increase visitation to the Island."

The Minister said the key to the success was hard work, determination, organisation and support of the Government, local and overseas partners and sponsors.

Trombone player Jeff Bradshaw said the Unwrapped All Stars was formulated from Hidden Beach artists along with violinist Karen Briggs.

The musicians, who will be playing this evening in The Bermuda Music Festival, at Dockyard, said their music has a feel of a little jazz and a wide range of other melodic influences.

"This is the kind of jazz that will keep that neck moving," said Mr. Phillips, "It is not sleepy time jazz - we will not put you to sleep."

Both musicians said that they had been playing all of their lives, Mr. Bradshaw being a self-taught brass player and Mr. Phillips on alto-sax.

And local students will benefit from the mastery of two musicians during a Government-sponsored jazz workshop at CedarBridge today.

The Ministry of Tourism, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Development will host the two-hour workshop taking place in an effort to provide a forum for young aspiring musicians.

"It is our responsibility to give students the tools and training required so that they can some day excel as musicians in Bermuda. We continue to receive comments from visitors that Bermuda is lacking in entertainment. Initiatives such as these will assist in the growth of Bermudian entertainment on the Island," Dr. Brown said.

The jazz workshop will take the stage with singer Seal during the Festival.

Over 120 intermediate and advanced music students will be taught all about jazz, including instrumental technique, improvisation, basic music theory, chord relationship, ensemble playing and jazz history.

A student ensemble will be brought up to play on stage to highlight the efforts of several individual students to "develop their musicianship as well as their self discipline and their ability to work as a team," Ms Talbot said.

Dr. Brown also announced that the top five finalists of the recent Bermuda Idol competition will be singing in the festival. Other local favourites like Pinky Steede and the James Richardson Trio will also perform over the four-day event.

Wearing his Transport Minister hat, Dr. Brown announced extra ferries and parking facilities have been set up for those travelling to the main stage events in Dockyard.

"For the main stage performances, special provisions have been made for ferries to transport both visitors from Hamilton and St. George's to Dockyard for a round trip fare of $10," he said.

"The ferries will be running from Hamilton to Dockyard starting at 5.30 p.m. each night of the Festival and the St. George's ferry will leave at 6.15 p.m. from Ordnance Island. Both ferries will return after the show.

"For those driving to Dockyard there will be complimentary parking and a Festival Ferry Shuttle at Boaz Island. This year, there is also additional parking available at Morsby Plain, in Dockyard, for a $3 fee."

In addition to the main stage in Dockyard, festival concerts will also be held at Fairmont Hamilton and Southampton hotels.

Last night Cuban band Elito y su Charangon opened the festival pre-show, performing outside the Fairmont Hamilton on a floating barge, which Dr. Brown said was "in keeping with the theme of having an over water stage".

"The Royal Naval Dockyard has been transformed once again into a festive musical arena," he added.

Tonight the festival will hear from Bermuda Idol first runner ups Joy Barnum and Twan?e Butterfield, United Dance Production's dancers, Sheila Smith, and the Unwrapped All Stars and Seal.

Tickets are still available for all events. Visit http://www.bermudatourism.com/MusicFest/default2.asp for more information.