Brainchild of local jazz heroes Claire Martin and Julian Nicholas, the second South Coast Jazz Festival got off to a flying start.

Jack Kendon's band were the epitome of effortless cool with soulful restrained and inventive piano, engaging interplay between Imogen Ryall's vocals and Kendon's trumpet, underpinned with masterfully subtle but agile support from bass and drums.

The set included Cole Porter's Night And Day, some brave vocalese from Ryall on a tune by Larry Goldings, and, joined by Julian Nicholas, a composition by Kendon and Ryall commissioned for the Festival.

If the first set was cool the second was hot - Garnett's Bunch Of Five were something of a contrast, coming from the fast and furious school of bebop-influenced jazz (or “hard grooving swing” as described in the publicity).

Duelling tenor saxes kept up the pace throughout with high energy and startling creativity, interrupted only by Garnett's jokes and anecdotes.

This was a band of immense experience able to improvise collectively almost as if they shared one brain, with piano bass and drum solos comfortably matching the complexity and verve of the two saxes.

Thoroughly enjoyable and whetting the appetite for rest of the Festival this weekend.

Four stars