Slowly but surely, jazz lovers are discovering just how talented pianist Taylor Eigsti is. But it’s taken some time.

A Bay Area native, Eigsti began playing the piano at age four. His inspiration emerged from the premature death of his sister Shannon, a jazz/rock pianist who succumbed to cancer when Eigsti was only three.

By the time he turned eight, Eigsti's talent was so obvious he was invited to be the opening act for jazzman David Benoit.

Now, at the ripe old age of 22, the soft-spoken young man is dazzling audiences wherever he appears.

Last weekend, he mesmerized those who turned out for a pair of sold-out performances in the cozy Harmony Lounge of Sonoma’s Ledson Hotel.

Eigsti was not alone. Contributing to the brilliance of the two sets were the pianist’s constant companions — an equally creative rhythm section consisting of bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis — and another Bay Area wunderkind, Santa Rosa guitarist Julian Lage.

The young pianist impresses audiences and critics alike with more than just technical proficiency, demonstrating an intuitive understanding of the keyboard and jazz that is usually only found in much older players.

And it isn’t only audiences who come away shaking their heads. Eigsti’s talents have impressed the likes of Dave Brubeck, James Moody and Bobby Hutcherson, to name but a few. Eigsti has shared the stage with the senior Brubeck and, in recent years, has performed with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet.

This member of a lucky and small audience (only 60 can be accommodated in this intimate venue) was equally impressed with Lage, himself a child prodigy — playing his instrument since the age of five, and performing in public a year later. Shortly thereafter, Lage began playing with such renowned artists as Carlos Santana (when Lage was only 8 years old), Pat Metheny, Toots Thielemans and David Grisman, among others, resulting in Lage being the subject of the 1997 Academy Award nominated documentary film, “Jules at Eight.”

Hearing these two talented friends performing at their peak, playing off one another, in such rarefied air was, well, exhilarating.

Now in his early 20s, Eigsti has won the full-fledged exposure he deserves with his debut on Concord Records, “Lucky to Be Me.” It’s now possible to take home the inspiring music we’ve heard Eigsti perform in live performance in the past.

Eigsti's music is rooted in jazz classics, yet it incorporates the progressive sounds of the today, offering a compelling rhythmic mix that encompasses funk, hip-hop, swing and, of course, a marvelous talent for improvisation.

Last Saturday night’s audiences were treated to a rhapsodic suite arrangement of the ’40s Dorsey Brothers hit, “I Hear A Rhapsody,” with Lage’s guitar work reminiscent of Tal Farlow’s interpretation of half a century ago. Eigsti opened with a semi-deconstructed rendition of Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale” and teamed up with Lage for a dreamy, albeit chromatically contemporary offering of Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood.”

Another tune associated with Ellington, “Caravan,” is an Eigsti favorite and is often chosen as the last piece of each set. Here, Eigsti alternated expected Latin rhythms and nuance with an improvised modulation that prompted Lage to veer off into what sounded like a modern-day jazz fugue — the harmonics were simply amazing. It was a brilliant effort by all hands.

With top talent, a well-appointed, intimate venue with excellent service and such an agreeable passing scene on Sonoma Plaza, this new Live at the Ledson Lounge series (produced in cooperation with Sonoma Jazz +) should prove a hot ticket. I’d suggest you get yours soon for such upcoming headliners as jazz vocalists Jamie Davis (Sept. 8) and Jonathan Poretz (Sept. 22), Le Jazz Hot (Oct. 6) and jazz guitarist Dave Ellis and his Quartet (Oct. 20). For $25 and a two drink minimum, you can’t go wrong. You can order tickets by logging online at www.ledsonhotel.com or by calling 996-9779.