THE organisers of the Jamaica Defence Force's military tattoo, which was set to open last evening, have promised to treat local audiences to military world music as a backdrop to the presentations.

The event which is being staged at Up Park Camp — the base of the local military, will see music from at least four visiting bands, the Canandian Pipes and Drums, The Bermudian Regiment Bands; the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Band and the Bands of Her Majesty The Royal Marines out of the United Kingdom. These visiting bands will be complemented by the Mas Bands of the JDF — Jamaica Military Band and the Jamaica Regiment Band, as well as the bands from the Jamaica Constabulary and the Island Special Constabulary Forces.

The bands will provide the musical accompaniment for the marches, drills and displays which will form the heart of the military presentation.

The music to be played will cover the works of European, American and Caribbean composers. Among the highlights will be the calypso and soca presentation by the delegation from the sister Caribbean isle of Trinidad and Tobago. This will cover works by calypsonian The Mighty Sparrow as well as more contemporary works.

The One Love March composed by current Bandmaster at the JDF Warrant Officer Albert Shaun Hird will also take centre stage. This work was commissioned five years ago for Jamaica's 45th anniversary of Independence, when the JDF was invited to participate in the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace in London.

Each night, the popular Sly Mongoose, composed by former Director of Music at the JDF Major Joe Williams will bring the curtains down on the Military Tattoo.