Something is refreshing and exhilarating about emerging talent, so when the rising young Suffolk jazz pianist Oscar Lyons and his Quartet took to the stage of the Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley St Mary, there was a sense of excitement and expectation. 

In a programme consisting of a mix of his own compositions and contemporary and classic jazz numbers, 16-year-old Oscar displayed the confidence to open the debuting Quartet's first set with his original I Wake Again. Setting the tone for the show, the piece's mellow start erupted into an exciting break by Oscar and an electrifying tenor sax section by Suffolk's Harry Greene, an emerging star on the London and national jazz scenes.

Oscar Lyon (left) Tom Sheen, Harry Greene on sax and Jess Rollason (Picture credit: Iain Blacklaw)

Valse Hot, an unusual jazz waltz-time composition by sax legend Sonny Rollins offered Harry further opportunity to display his improvisational talent. A favourite jazz sub-genre of mine is Bossa Nova, so the playing of the new to me Keep Me in Mind by John Schofield was particularly enjoyable, allowing double bassist Tom Sheen to present a confident solo. 

Referencing Miles Davis's recording of Bye Bye Blackbird, Oscar led into the Ray Henderson composition which Harry took up with a bravura John Coltrane-inspired solo – simply dazzling. By way of contrast, Trinity Laban Conservatoire student Jess Rollason featured a neat drum solo to introduce herself to the audience.

Jess Rollason picture of focus (Picture credit: Iain Blacklaw)

The self-penned up-tempo The Catch found Oscar leaving no part of the keyboard untouched with a succession of crescendos. Closing the first set with Will Vinson's Albemarle, Oscar recounted his recent meeting and playing with the composer, which inspired him to an intricate and attacking solo. 

Opening the second set with Billy Strayhorn's Absinthe allowed the foursome to throw the full works at the piece written for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Ellington's recording is a slow bluesy piece evoking night-time drinking, but the combo expanded it into a standout of the show with the clever interplay between Oscar and Harry as well as individual free improvisation. 

The up-tempo rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's Bossa Nova Triste allowed Oscar to dazzle yet again, as did Harry: and in his playing, I discerned stylistic nods to Stan Getz. 

Oscar's stylish composition Closer to Home inserted itself comfortably into the evening's repertoire of famous works and composers. But his final composition introduced more Latin rhythms in a symbolic tribute to his Mother's Mexican heritage. This astonishing imagining by one so young was clever and sophisticated: Oscar explained that, in Mexico, El Viejo is a common New Year tradition where dummies are stuffed with fireworks, then set alight so that they explode resembling burning the year away.  

Pure jazz (Picture credit: Iain Blacklaw)

Following Jimmy Van Heusen's moving and reflective But Beautiful, Oscar's choices from the repertoire of Herbie Hancock were Butterfly and Driftin'. A favourite composer of his, the former piece could define jazz 'coolness' but the latter allowed a blistering encore finale to two hours of great entertainment.

Before the show, Oscar enthused: "I'm so excited to perform with these incredible musicians for the first time." And having previously seen Suffolk's Oscar and Harry perform at the prestigious Hadleigh Jazz Club I knew that I would be in for a great evening. Both can take established pieces and stamp their authority on them as if to make them their own.

With the London-based rhythm section duo of the talented 17-year-old Tom giving an assured and pleasing performance and Jess combining well in her quietly effective manner, they all came together in a tight-knit foursome.  

16-year-old sensation Oscar Lyons (Picture credit: Iain Blacklaw)

The sell-out show being held in such an intimate venue gave it the feeling of more like being a guest at a private event than in a public audience. The Centre's promotor Suzanne Hawkes had told us to: "Expect a night full of energy and exciting interplay, showcasing a new generation of musicians." The sustained enthusiastic applause following the final number was an affirmation of her expectation.   

By using mere words I can't convey the full flavour of the show, so, fortunately,  a video was taken which can be viewed via this link https://www.facebook.com/Two-Sisters-Arts-Centre-344306032896013/

Although the Centre is closed during August, keep up to date with future happenings at http://twosistersarts.co.uk/

 (Review by Robert Carr)