It's a good sign of the reach of this website edition that news of local musicians' recordings still come in and it's even better when interesting CDs arrive through the post.

New young talent always need openings for live dates.

Four is a band of teenagers from the Maidstone area who not only play the famous old Miles Davis tune of the same name, but who find bebop and post-bop jazz a real turn-on. They're enthusiastic and hungry for the improving experience of playing live, especially during the summer, after which they go their separate ways to various universities.

If you'd like to hear more and offer them a spot, email the band at pwmichael@themail.co.uk

The most surprising small group listening joy I've had for some time comes from a wonderful debut CD by the Nathan Hayward Quartet. In Autumn Walks maintains the seasonal flavour throughout the six original titles composed by the pianist-leader, all beautifully recorded by Nick Taylor at his Porcupine Studio in Mottingham.

I put on the CD the day it dropped through the door, thinking that I'd busy myself with my mundane domestic chores and be satisfied with a sort of background awareness of what the music was about. Not for long. Within four bars of the title track opener I was in the chair and didn't get up again until the end of the album and that was only to replay the CD immediately.

Since then, I've probably listened to it twice a day. It's playing now as I write I can't get enough of it. The compositional lines are lyrical, the harmonic turns are lovely and the rhythms are varied, from languid latin to steaming straight ahead, but never flashy or over-stated.

I particularly like the guitar and piano doubled single note runs on the medium tempo Leaves In the Wind and the uppish mouthful Inescapable-Ology-Ness, a sprightly piece of bebop on the chords of There Will Never Be Another You.

Finally, but foremost, the playing is spirited and immaculate. Guitarist Dean Smith, bassist Julian Jackson, drummer John Blease and pianist Hayward really are having musical conversations.

How do young players get that good so soon?

Find out for yourself by contacting Nathan Hayward at haywardbrothers@realemail.co.uk - especially if you can offer them a gig. This band should be heard everywhere.

Star gig of the week: Gordon Marc Webber and His Rhythm: June 19 at the Rutland Arms, Perry Hill, Catford, 12.30-3pm.