Shows - Christo's

Tom Grant & Shelly Rudolph

Thu, Sep 03

TOM GRANT and SHELLY RUDOLPH have been delighting audiences throughout their native Pacific Northwest for well over a decade with an infectious mix of jazz, soul, and pop. They share an inescapable chemistry and charm that are evident from the very first note. Their vocal duets are sexy and sweet, and Shelly’s sultry vocals are beautifully supported by Tom’s tasteful piano playing.

A celebrated pianist, composer, and recording artist, Tom Grant has toured internationally with jazz legends including Tony Williams, Joe Henderson, and Charles Lloyd. His chart-topping recordings helped define the contemporary jazz movement, and his performances continue to showcase the lyricism, groove, and musicality that have made him one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved artists. His latest release, *Omniphoria*, celebrates nearly five decades of artistry, reflecting the enduring collaborations, friendships, and musical connections that have shaped his remarkable career.

Described by ArtsWatch as “part mermaid, part chanteuse,” Shelly Rudolph is a vocalist, songwriter, poet, and performer whose artistry blends jazz, soul, and timeless songcraft into performances that are equal parts sensual, intimate, and deeply human. With “a honey-glazed throat to send chills up and down your spine” (LA Weekly), she captivates audiences with performances rich in warmth, storytelling, and magnetic presence. She has performed and recorded with artists including Grammy Award-winning cellist David Darling, Charlie Hunter, Ken Stange (Joe Cocker), and David Matthews (Santana). Together, Tom and Shelly create performances that are joyful, soulful, intimate, and deeply engaging—drawing audiences into an evening of exceptional musicianship, connection, and song. Join us and feel the love!

"Shelly Rudolph is a captivating and robust vocalist and Tom Grant is at the top of his game." — JazzTimes

FIKIRA Afro-Fusion

Sun, Sep 13

Fikira Music is an Afro-Fusion-Jazz quartet, assembled by composer/drummer/producer Fiaindratovo (Mimy) Manavihare with friends from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Featuring Uziel Colón on piano, Sam Dechenne on trumpet and David Rajaonary on bass,

Fikira’s music crosses musical styles - African pop, afro-beat, jazz, latin and funk, uniquely influenced by the Banaike rhythm and dance of the Antandroy people from the South of Madagascar. Their concerts showcase a high level of musicianship, producing soulful music, high energy rhythms and encouraging audience participation.

All group members have extensive experience performing with other bands, and also producing, recording and composing their own work. The band includes electric bass, piano, trumpet, drums/percussion and singing in Malagasy.

Fikira’s music is composed by Fiaindratovo (Mimy) Manavihare, who also plays the drums and sings all of the lyrics in his native language from Madagascar.

Greta Matassa Group

Thu, Sep 17

So glad 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. She has a great band featuring 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!

George Colligan Quartet ft. Zyanna

Thu, Sep 24

The great George Colligan brings down a smashing band featuring Robert Rodriguez on bass, Micah Hummel on drums and vocalist Zyanna Melada! Zyanna Melada recently released her first album and has found success on the LA jazz and R&B scene. Lately, she has been collaborating with George Colligan; she is heavily featured as a vocalist and lyricist on his Phyllis Wheatley project and also his upcoming “You’ll Hear It” on the LA Reserve label. George Colligan is not only one of the great jazz pianists of his generation, but he has earned an international reputation as a multi-instrumentalist (drums, trumpet, organ, keyboards), composer, accompanist, teacher, and bandleader, as well as popular blogger(jazztruth.blogspot.com). Winner of the 2015 DownBeat magazine Critics Poll (Keyboard), he has had a long association with living jazz legend Jack DeJohnette; recent touring took Colligan around the U.S. with “An Evening with Jack DeJohnette and Savion Glover.” He has also recently toured the U.S. and Canada as a leader with his trio featuring legends Buster Williams and Lenny White. With over 130 albums to date as an accompanist, Colligan has worked with a long list of jazz greats, including John Scofield, Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Botti, and many others. His latest album, “King’s Dream” (PJCE Records 2022) is his 36th as a bandleader, and features PSU faculty and alumni. Colligan, a New York resident for 15 years, now resides in Portland, Oregon where he is a Full Professor at Portland State University. He has recently won two Region Arts and Culture Council grants, A South Arts Jazz Road grant, and a PSU Faculty Development grant. Colligan recently won the PSU College of The Arts Dean’s Council Award for Research, Scholarship and Creativity(2020), and also won the Researcher of the Year Award from the PSU College Of The Arts(2021). George Colligan has toured, recorded ,and/or performed as a sideman with Lonnie Plaxico, Gary Bartz, Benny Golson, Gary Thomas, Miguel Zenon, Tom Harrell, Steve Coleman, Eddie Henderson, Ralph Peterson, Vanessa Rubin, Steve Wilson, Dave Weckl, Richard Bona, Jane Monheit, Ravi Coltrane, Lenny White, Michael Brecker, Mike Clark, Nicholas Payton, Sheila Jordan, Janis Siegel, Christian McBride, Billy Hart, Charles Fambrough, Mingus Big Band, Al Foster, Mark Turner, Don Braden, Lew Soloff, Gunther Schuller, Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Carl Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Lee Konitz, Jamie Baum, Michal Urbaniak, Ron McClure,DJ Logic, Randy Brecker and Stefon Harris, among others. “Colligan is an equally deserving torch-carrier of the piano trio tradition….” John Kelman , All About Jazz “One of the best kept secrets in jazz….” Chris Hoven, All About Jazz “As a creative artist, he’s really up there…. In terms of technique, knowledge of music and improvisational creativity, there aren’t a whole lot of cats from his generation that are any better than him. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of any.”– Don Braden in a blindfold test for Jazz Times

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