With a little help from NBC's Today Show -- seen by millions of Americans -- which plugged the first edition of the jazz festival on Sunday, interest in the key American markets of New York, Philadelphia, New England and New Jersey appears strong with about 600 Jazzscape packages already sold, Director of Tourism Gary Phillips yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

And tour American tour wholesaler Certified Vacations reports it is fielding about 200 inquiries per day.

The jazz festival runs from October 11 to October 13 with venues in St.

George's, Dockyard, and the National Stadium, and boasts a star-studded lineup including George Benson, Gladys Knight, Herbie Mann, and Lee Ritenour.

The festival, is going to be like "a shot of adrenaline'', Mr. Phillips said.

"This is not just one event; it's part of our attempt to change Bermuda's image in North America, to demonstrate our rather unique culture.'' Produced in association with Integrated Lifestyle Marketing, who have experience with with the Newport and New Orleans Jazz Festivals, Jazzscape ultimately hopes to attract up to 3,000 offshore music lovers to the free daytime cultural events and evening jazz performances, said Mr. Phillips.

Tickets went on sale locally at the Visitors Service Bureau, the Music Box on Reid Street and Music World outlets in the Bermudiana Arcade and St. George's.

CHANGING IMAGE -- Tourism's Gary Phillips TELEVISION TV ENTERTAINMENT ENT