IT is safe to say the musical structure of jazz represents a mixture of different genres in which both new world and old world rhythms play indispensable roles.

Last Sunday evening’s Jazz in the Gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel dubbed Jazz –The Next Generation, exemplified that point of view. Beginning with the backing band called Younger Jazz Players to the closing act Patricia Edwards, it was a concert that showcased a brilliant cadre of young performers.

The Younger Jazz Players backing Quartet, led by drummer Patrick Anderson, included Stephen Maxwell and Philip McFarlane on keyboards as well as Andrew Ayre on bass, was impressive with its instrumentation that superbly augmented the entire cast.

Representing for the new generation were 17-year-old Yanique DaCosta, Kismet Cooper, Jessica Yap, Tanice Morrison, Magano, Noris Campbell, Elan Edwards, and the avant-garde Patricia Edwards.

Imagine a teenager like DaCosta taking on the powerful Etta James romantic ballad, At Last, Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World and Nat King’s Cole’s L-O-V-E. However, there should have been no surprise in violinist Jessica Yap, given the fact that she is now recognised as one of Jamaica’s leading musicians and her repertoire covers classical, reggae, dancehall, jazz and pop.

And those who attend Jazz in the Gardens regularly would come to expect no less from fourth-timer Tanice Morrison who did September In the Rain, So Renewed and I Found A New Baby.

No stranger to the bi-monthly event also, young Cooper, the singer/songwriter whose harmony often decorates the performances of Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrika, entertained her audience with Autumn Leaves, One Note Samba and You Are the Sunshine of My Life. In his performance of Fly Me To The Moon, Noris Campbell, as well as Magano reflected a high appreciation for traditional jazz.

But among the fresh acts, there was one that left you wanting for more. She is Elan Edwards. A fluid improviser, she brought a new twist to the old standard Our Favourite Things in a way that indicated that she may have a hit in the making. Edwards wooed her audience with her warmth, wit and ease in fashion that were only matched by the headliner, Patricia Edwards.

Former lead singer of Ebony, Patricia Edwards, brought the night to a rousing end with her energetic and engaging performance. Hers was jazz and more. An adventurous, confident and talented entertainer, Patricia Edwards charmed the audience with her patter.

Appearing on her first major gig in Kingston since her separation from the group after 27 magnificent years, she gave a performance for which she will long be remembered. Displaying versatility of mood, pace and vitality, Patricia Edwards left the audience mesmerised with her rendition of Let’s Stay Together, Second That Emotion, Never Stay Away, Perfidia, Wind Beneath My Wings, This Is Dedicated To The One I Love and Nice Time which earned her an encore.