Mona Krogstad Quartet, The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh ****

We’ve come to expect much from the Scandinavian jazz scene, and this latest emissary, part of Edinburgh Jazz Festival’s Norwegian strand, more than met expectations, tenor saxophonist Mona Krogstad proving herself to be a powerful, full-toned player and composer of engaging material.

She was well matched by her quartet, with pianist Joakim Petersen, double bassist Erik Grønnesby and drummer Veslemøy Narvesen. It was a pleasure to hear a young band brimming with expression and improvisatory confidence, as demonstrated by their opening number, the stately title track of Krogstad’s warmly received debut album, Virgo Sun, tenor sax blowing big-toned yet tender ballad-like phrases.

The subsequent Umbria may have been inspired by that region’s scenery, but this was no bucolic pastoral, rather a full-on celebration, players responding deftly to each other and Krogstad coming out with some gutsy soloing. Lullaby, on the other hand, saw leisurely sax singing over a lazy bass line and sensitive piano responses.

Far from being a hiatus, Interlude opened with spooky piano string shimmers and a dreamy keyboard introduction that became a minimalist-sounding riff joined by sax and bowed bass, building up until the melody was cruising in full sail.

The second half opened with Kleopatra – inspired, explained Krogstad, by Wayne Shorter’s Nefertiti, that started as a leisurely stroll before taking on considerable muscle. Dedicated to her immigrant father, Sailor Man Where Do You Go? was heralded by a resonantly eloquent bass solo from Grønnesby which shifted into an insistent pulse below a dramatic sax entry and tumultuous band sequences, while Song for Solveig worked its way from an airy piano prelude into a song-like sax melody, bringing an impressive set to a joyous close.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival review: Mona Krogstad Quartet, The Jazz Bar