In 2004, Bryan Nichols was selected to be a resident at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, a highly selective program for promising young jazz artists and composers. 2005 saw him traveling to Paris, France to perform at the Sons d'Hiver Festival, as well as Kerava, Finland, for the Kerava Jazz Festival. He has played with some of the world's finest musicians, including Anthony Cox, Steve Cole, Ernest Dawkins, Von Freeman, David Boykin, Nicole Mitchell, Jeff Parker, Oliver Lake, Dave King (of the Bad Plus) and Maurice Brown.

Nichols' trio also includes solid bassist Jeremy Boettcher and the inventive and swinging JT Bates on drums.

An free opening set at 7 p.m. features the Tesfa Combo and an open jam session. The Tesfa Combo features Dejen Tesfagiorgis on Saxophones, Steve Kenny on Trumpet, David Feily on Guitar/Trumpet, Jesse Mueller on Piano, Adam Tucker on Bass, and Aaron Rupar/Scorry Horey on Drums.

Dejen Tesfagiorgis also leads these weekly jam sessions, bring your axe and sit it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4khzBPcgo24