Dan Wilson Quartet with Special Guests Nigel Hall & Jessica Yafanaro

Growing up in Akron, Ohio, Dan Wilson began his musical journey in the church, drawing on influences from Wes Montgomery to Sonny Rollins, blending jazz, gospel, blues, and hip-hop. After graduating from Hiram College, he recorded with Joe McBride and toured with jazz greats including Joey DeFrancesco—earning a GRAMMY® nomination on Project Freedom—and Christian McBride’s Tip City.

Wilson has released several albums as a leader, including Vessels of Wood and Earth (2021) and Things Eternal (2023), both critically acclaimed. He has performed at major jazz festivals across North America and abroad, earning recognition as a dynamic and innovative guitarist.

GRAMMY-winning soul powerhouse Nigel Hall is an accomplished vocalist, keyboardist, and member of the GRAMMY-nominated funk-jazz-soul ensemble Lettuce. Growing up in a highly musical family in Washington, D.C., Hall’s love for music started before he was five, shaped by everything from fusion jazz to classic R&B. His deep understanding of funk, soul, and jazz has made him a standout both onstage and in the studio.

Since relocating to New Orleans in 2013, Hall has become a vital part of the city’s vibrant music scene, earning praise from Offbeat as “a perfect fit” and comparisons to Southern funk legend Art Neville. Known for his powerful vocals, virtuosic keyboard skills, and heartfelt performances, Hall continues to create music that reflects his identity and connects deeply with audiences worldwide.

Jessica Yafanaro is a Cleveland-based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist whose sound blends jazz, R&B, rock, and gospel. A child prodigy with absolute pitch, she taught herself piano, saxophone, flute, bass, guitar, and drums while studying classical voice on scholarship at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. Jessica has performed and recorded with artists including Dan Wilson, Christian McBride, Collin Miller, and Tall Black Guy, and continues to inspire as both a performer and educator in Cleveland’s vibrant music scene.