For the first night of his Berlin residency, Bryan Nichols presents two very different trios: each a mix of longtime associates of Bryan's and newer faces to the Twin Cities improvised music community. Expect deconstructed songs, constructed improvisations, and much more.

Set 1:
Bryan Nichols - Piano
Christopher Rochester - Saxophones
Jay Epstein - Drums

Set 2:
Bryan Nichols - Piano
Chris Bates - Bass
Emma Garau - Drums

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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. Nichols 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.

Christopher Rochester is an African American musician, educator, and composer. His career has taken him from classrooms to international stages, where he has led ensembles, designed programs, and spoken about music’s role in shaping culture, equity, and belonging.

Jazz drummer Jay Epstein has had an extensive career as a performing, recording, and international touring artist. He studied with Barry Altschul, the drummer in Chick Corea’s Circle. He has lived in Hollywood, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis; been on seven European tours; and played in house bands for five years on cruise ship lines. Some of the notable artists he has performed with include the rock band Gypsy, Barney Kessel, Sheila Jordan, Terry Gibbs, Karrin Allyson, Toots Thielemans, Bob Dorough, Marc Ribot, and Sarah Vaughan.

Chris Bates is an accomplished bassist recognized for his remarkable contributions to the world of jazz. Bates is a key member of the Atlantis Quartet, where his dynamic and inventive bass lines contribute to the ensemble's distinctive sound. With a career spanning decades, he has become a sought-after collaborator, known for his deep understanding of the jazz idiom. Beyond his work with Atlantis Quartet, Bates has lent his talents to various musical projects, solidifying his reputation as a skilled, innovative bassist within the vibrant Twin Cities music scene and beyond.

Emma Garau is a drummer and composer based in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated with a BFA in jazz and contemporary music from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2022 while independently studying with Dave King of The Bad Plus and touring extensively with Fortezza. Emma has toured and/or recorded with artists including Powderhorns, Grace Christian X, and Geologist (of Animal Collective). She currently tours and records with the art punk duo ¿WATCHES? and as a solo artist.