So excited to have the Rivkah Ross Quartet for the first time at Christo's Lounge! Featuring Brian Myers on saxophone/flute, Patrick Carr on piano, and Matt Holmes on bass! Rivkah Ross is a drummer-composer-bandleader based in Portland, Oregon. Rivkah has carved her own trail with the release of her debut album, Dare to Hope, on Portland-based PJCE Records. This bold offering gives a glimpse into a world that's both deeply personal and informed by the language of giants like John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Steve Swallow. Rivkah isn't merely channeling her heroes; she's using their vocabulary to craft a singular artistic statement that shows a path to new territory. Her compositions demonstrate technical prowess, and harmonic acuity. But they are also sonic narratives that grapple with themes of acceptance, resilience, and the unwavering human spirit. This isn't background music; it's a conversation waiting to be had, one that promises to resonate with anyone who's ever stared down life's inevitable hurdles. The band that accompanies Rivkah on this foray into bandleading are all like-minded, nimble improvisers that have put time in the trenches with her. The tunes have been battle-tested by saxophonist Brian Myers, pianist Patrick Carr, and bassist Matthew Holmes. They have performed these tunes at countless gigs, and the energy and connection is apparent. With PJCE Records providing a platform and Ross's potent originality leading the way, the Montavilla Jazz Festival 2024 stage was the launchpad for Rivkah’s remarkable new voice in contemporary music. Over 100 people were in attendance on September 1, 2024 to see Rivkah’s first album release and first Montavilla Jazz Festival performance as a leader. Rivkah has been playing drums on the East and West Coasts for the past two decades and got her Bachelor of Music at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. Highlights of her career as a drummer so far include performing in Europe and opening up for Dick Dale, the B-52s, The New Mastersounds, LMFAO, and Lady Gaga, and performing on stage with Stevie Wonder. 

Trio Subtonic is a groove heavy power trio out of Portland, Oregon that blends genre bending funk with slow burning underground soul jazz. Led by keyboardist Galen Clark, Subtonic explores a coalescence of rock, soul, funk and jazz that simultaneously draws in listeners and pushes boundaries. Creating a sonic footprint reserved for more than just three people, Subtonic delivers soulful grooves, expansive improvisations and a deep pocket that compels audiences to try dance moves they didn't know they had. Trio Subtonic is one of our favorites groups, and Dan is one of our favorite guitarists. When combined, they are one of the most powerful bands that plays our lounge. Balmer's swirling guitar pyrotechnics, Galen Clark's colorful organ work, and powerful rhythm provided by bassist Bill Athens and drummer Micah Hummel. 

Paula Byrne brings in her fantastic quartet featuring Brandon Nelson on keys, Tim Gilson on bass and Kurt Deutscher on drums. Paula Byrne's voice is like chilled champagne on a hot summer day. She moves easily between songs that are lush and beautiful to highly rhythmic, wild rides. Her sense of humor, revival of obscure songs and new twists on old standards keeps the audience engaged and enraptured. 

So excited to have Greta Matassa back with us at Christo's! In the Pacific Northwest, where she built her career, Greta Matassa wins wide acclaim; eight times, the readers of Earshot, the Seattle jazz magazine, have voted her the best jazz vocalist in the Northwest. Jim Wilke, the Seattle jazz maven and host of the syndicated "Jazz After Hours" radio program, praises her versatility. "She has a fearlessness in approaching material," Wilke says, "that makes her like an instrumentalist in a jam session." Bassist and producer John Clayton says “One of the best jazz singers we have to boast about these days.” Her 40 year career has been a whirlwind of exciting opportunities and experiences. Over the last 20 years she has become established as one of the greatest jazz singers of her time. Working with top jazz musicians in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. In 2016 She was featured with bassist John Clayton’s group in a centennial tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. And lest we forget the friends she's bringing along! Guitarist Christopher Woitach, one of the northwest's leading bassists Clipper Anderson, and sensational drummer Charlie Doggett. Having them here again in our jazzy little lounge is quite a treat! 

Lyrical flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny and his all-star band present an evening of timeless classics from the shared history of jazz and cinema. “So many beloved songs are featured in Hollywood scores and soundtracks,” Matheny says, “and it makes sense, because the art forms of jazz and film, both about 100 years old, grew up together.” Matheny and friends will showcase jazz renditions of familiar favorites from An Affair To Remember, Blade Runner, Casablanca, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, The Godfather, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Mo Better Blues, Young Frankenstein, Star Wars, Barbie, and more. “An all-star jazz band featuring some of the most accomplished musicians in the western United States” (All About Jazz), the DMITRI MATHENY GROUP is renowned for their crowd-pleasing performances of lyrical originals and timeless classics. American flugelhornist DMITRI MATHENY has been lauded as “one of the most emotionally expressive improvisers of his generation” (International Review of Music). An honors graduate of Berklee College of Music, Dmitri Matheny vaulted onto the jazz scene in the 1990s as the protégé of jazz legend Art Farmer. Since then he has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal international following, releasing twelve CDs and touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The San Francisco Chronicle calls Matheny “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players. 

Thrilled to have the great Bobby Torres playing in the lounge with his fantastic ensemble featuring Sean Holmes on vocals, Dan Gaynor on keys, Christopher Woitach on guitar, Al Criado on bass and Israel Annoh on drums! “Latin jazz with enough flavor and spice to satisfy your body and soul's need for rhythmic harmony.” - Oregonian In 1994 Bobby formed his own Latin jazz group – the Bobby Torres Ensemble featuring Latin polyrhythms, tasty piano licks, a pulsating Latin bass, sizzling horns, and vocalists. The Bobby Torres Ensemble includes musical talentof the highest caliber in Portland to explore the many musical inflections of Latin Jazz. Bobby’s music is a toe tapping fusion of American and Latin standards arranged with churning Latin grooves richly ornamented with jazz inflections. The Ensemble has opened for Tito Puente and Poncho Sanchez. And, the Ensemble has been host to such stars as Luis Conte, Orestes Vilato, Alex Acuna, Claudia Lennear, Nancy King, Karla Harris and featured almost the entire Tedeschi Trucks Band during the Ensemble’s Waterfront Blues Festival performance in 2016. Bobby is a band leader, musician, record producer, songwriter, and session musician with a 40-year professional history that spans the globe and a lengthy discography. Originally from New York City, Bobby developed his reputation while performing with Joe Cocker at Woodstock, touring with Joe Cocker Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and performing and/or touring or recording with countless other music stars such as Al Jarreau, Jackson Browne, Beach Boys, the Captain & Tennille, and Etta James – to name a few. He has an extensive discography. He also performed and toured the globe for 10 years with Tom Jones. Bobby was nominated “Outstanding Percussionist” (a Muddy Waters Award), he was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and he received The Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalists Association. Bobby has been a respected advocate, speaker, instructor and keeper of Latin rhythms on the Portland music scene for many years. The Ensemble is his central focus.