For a long time now, it hasn't been remotely enough to just call Nicholas Payton a brilliant trumpeter/composer. For years, the New Orleans-born and nurtured musician has been writing and performing increasingly on piano and, on his ambitious and remarkable 2016 double album "Letters," he even sings on the melancholy, Chet Baker-esque "Y Miss Me if U Don't Have 2."

In similarly e'er-curious fashion, Payton, noted as one of the finest modern players in African American Music (he famously does NOT like the term "jazz," and it's illuminating to Google and read his essay on the topic), has also explored the Prince/Earth, Wind & Fire influences of his youth as well as released imaginatively written and recorded film soundtracks.

All of this is to suggest it's never quite certain what you'll hear when Payton performs live — as he'll do with his quartet Friday and Saturday at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme. Expect much vision and greatness.

Nicholas Payton Quartet, 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show Fri. and Sat., Side Door Jazz, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; $40; (860) 434-0886.