This all-star configuration of the Bryan Nichols Quintet is Jeff Bailey on bass, JT Bates on drums, Mike Lewis on saxophone, Brandon Wozniak on saxophone, and Bryan Nichols on piano.

Bryan Nichols is a pianist, composer, and educator based in Minneapolis. Often found playing jazz and improvised music, but at home in a variety of musical worlds, he leads and composes for his own trio, quintet, and nonet, in addition to performing, recording, and touring with a variety of forward-thinking artists. The Star Tribune has called him “a versatile, daring and inventive keyboardist...one of the Twin Cities' most respected jazz players.” He is a recipient of a prestigious McKnight Fellowship for Performing Artists and a residency at the Kennedy Center for Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program. Bryan has released two albums as a leader to critical and audience acclaim, an original solo piano work, Looking North, and a suite of originals for his quintet, Bright Places.

Jeff Bailey is a preeminent bassist in the Twin Cities. He is the director of the Certificate in Music Production Program at Hamline University, and he served as bass department head at McNally Smith College of Music for six years, developing and implementing a curriculum that integrated modern music technology with traditional conservatory culture.

Growing up in a musical family gave JT Bates an early start into sound and rhythmic exploration. He set on the path to becoming a working musician while playing in his father’s big band as a teen. Over the years, he remained steeped in the improvised music scene, both as a performer and presenter. In 2015, he produced and released his first solo album, “Open Relationships” (Totally Gross National Product), and in 2021, he released an album called “Not Other Stuff.” As a session drummer, JT has appeared on Grammy record of the year “Folklore” (Taylor Swift) and Swift’s follow-up album, “Evermore.” He has also performed on the Grammy-nominated album “s/t”(Bonny Light Horseman) and critically acclaimed records by Bon Iver, Big Red Machine, Cassandra Jenkins, The National, Maya Hawke, and Ed Sheeran.

Mike Lewis is regarded throughout the Twin Cities and well beyond as one of the most creative sax players in modern music, lending his blowing and bowing skills to a number of highly regarded ensembles, including Happy Apple, Bon Iver, Fat Kid Wednesdays, Andrew Bird, and Alpha Consumer.

Brandon Wozniak of Minneapolis, MN, is one of the most sought-after saxophonists from the Midwest. He is noted for his doleful tone and subtle, melodic approach. He is featured in Dave King Trucking Company and Acoustic Deathwish, where he contributes a rock-steady feel and rare sensitivity.