HARVEY SIDERS: MUSIG-CHRISTENSEN AREN'T TOO COY >>>

As TwoKoi Japanese Restaurant co-owner Jerry Hyman explained, koi fish represent a microcosm of his highly competitive restaurant world. “They symbolize the struggle against all odds. My partner, Jackie Young Koh (wouldn’t he be Koh-owner?) and I had this vision when we began three years ago.” That vision, Twokoi, (two struggling fish), has become a popular gathering spot for Tacoma’s hip set at 1552 Commerce St. â€" a soybean’s throw from the University of Washington Tacoma. Hyman, a self-described “jazz nut,” claims they’ve succeeded against most odds. Credit also goes to the resident Musig-Christensen Duo (Keith Musig, tenor sax; Troy Christensen, guitar) on Fridays. They’re often reinforced by bassist Lee Harris. The combo has its own struggles: the triangular-shaped restaurant is not conducive to positioning live music, but for the past 18 months, they’ve also succeeded … and without being “too coy” about it.

Since it's Friday, the Musig-Christensen Duo will be in the house at TwoKoi tonight.

[TwoKoi Japanese Restaurant, 8 p.m., no cover, 1552 Commerce St, Tacoma, 253.274.8999]