by Scott Yanow 
In 1982, very few people were aware of late pianist Herbie Nichols'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' name, much less playing his music. Versatile avant-garde pianist Misha Mengel...