Nick Najera is a saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Bloomington, Indiana. Originally from Southern California, he came up playing in Los Angeles groups including the Chicano party band Cold Duck and the soul ensemble Breakestra. His music centers groove and soul, leading to performances with artists such as Poncho Sanchez, Ernie Andrews, Les McCann, and Larry Goldings, and appearances at festivals including Java Jazz Festival (Jakarta) and El Festival Internacional de Jazz de Verano (Querétaro). In 2023, he released his debut album Patience and performs with his Latin soul band, Tortilla Jackson.

Nick has taught at San Bernardino Valley College, UC Riverside, and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he serves as an Associate Instructor. His work as an educator emphasizes improvisation, sight-reading, and practical skills drawn from his experience as a freelance musician in Los Angeles. He is the recipient of the Jazz Education Network’s Jamey Aebersold Endowed Scholarship.

Photo by Priscilla Chavez-Scott