Christo's's Upcoming Shows

Jack Radsliff is on the short list of jazz guitarists in the Pacific Northwest. As a bandleader, his trio has become a fixture at clubs throughout the region. As a collaborator, Radsliff is a first-call for many; frequently playing in the bands of Ron Steen, Michael Raynor, Cyrus Nabipoor, Galen Clark, Christopher Brown, Chuck Israels, Alan Jones, Kerry Politzer, George Colligan, Dan Balmer, Idit Shner, Kathleen Hollingsworth, Torrey Newhart and many more: a veritable who’s who of Oregon’s jazz musicians. In addition to his steady work around the PNW, last year afforded Jack opportunities to work as sideman to Jonathan Pinson, Greg Ward, Domo Branch and Charlie Brown; release his sophomore record “Barefoot” (PJCE Records) featuring Randy Porter, Todd Sickafoose and Alan Jones; and tour the west coast extensively with Ian George, Cyrus Nabipoor and the Jack Radsliff Trio.

Jack’s playing can be heard on more than a dozen records to date. His own records, “Migration Patterns” (2017) and “Barefoot” (2024), have been well received; both making it onto critics “best of” lists. In his relatively short recording career, Jack has contributed to releases from Cyrus Nabipoor, Tony Glausi, Martina DaSilva, Dan Rossi, Machado Majiga and Pablo Rivarola. With more and more music coming out, follow Jack on instagram (@JackRadsliff) to stay up to date.

Jack Radsliff, guitar + compositions

Chris Higgins, bass

Michael Raynor, drums

Zsofia Tardy presents The Hunglish Project — the band whose name reflects its repertoire, moving between American jazz standards, Hungarian jazz tunes, Balkan-influenced music, and bebop. This month, the group turns its attention to the music of Gábor Szabó, the Hungarian-American guitarist whose hypnotic, genre-blurring sound made him one of the most singular voices in 1960s and '70s jazz.

Best known as a brilliant instrumentalist, Szabó also left behind a gorgeous vocal songbook — most famously his 1970 collaboration with Lena Horne — and this show brings those songs, along with newly sung versions of his best-loved instrumentals, to life. Zsofia, herself Hungarian-American and a longtime voice teacher and vocal coach before moving from Budapest to Portland in 2015, leads the band on vocals, joined by her husband and guitarist Attila Csikos, with Adam Carlson on drums, Bill Athens on bass, and Clay Giberson on keys.

Since arriving in Portland, Zsofia has become a familiar voice in the local jazz scene, described as "a deeply passionate and skilled" singer. This tribute traces Gábor Szabó's own journey from Budapest to the American jazz scene through the songs he loved, wrote, and made his own.”

Paula Byrne brings in her fantastic quartet featuring Brandon Nelson on keys, Tim Gilson on bass and Brent Follis 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.

Brandon Nelson began his piano studies at the age of 12 in Mount Vernon, WA. He graduated from Washington State University in 2016 with a degree in Piano Performance with a Jazz Emphasis. During his studies, Brandon studied directly from renowned musicians Brian Ward, Gerald Berthiaume, and Greg Yasinitsky. Brandon is a prizewinner in multiple competitions, including the Washington State Music Teachers Association's District One Recital (2011), Phase I Scholarship Competition (2012-2016), and The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (2015 and 2016). In 2016, Brandon was also selected as the pianist to play at Hamp's Club. Currently a working musician, Brandon is playing with jazz and rock groups around Vancouver and Portland.

Tim Gilson has been a mainstay in the Northwest for many years. In 1985 he joined the Mel Brown Quintet with which he recorded the award winning 'Gordon Bleu' CD. During this time Tim had the opportunity to play with many nationally acclaimed artists including Mose Allison, Ritchie Cole, Bud Shank, Herb Ellis, Julian Priester, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and many others. In 1988 Tim won 2nd place in an international bass competition in Los Angeles and shortly thereafter substituted for John Clayton with 'Slide Hampton and the New Jazz Masters' in a concert in Sacramento. He toured Japan in 1993 with the Mel Brown Quintet with special guest artist Chuck Findley on trumpet; then in 1994 he moved to Madison Wisconsin where he served as Principal Bassist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and substituted on a regular basis with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Since returning to Portland in 2002 Tim plays regularly with the Oregon Symphony backing guest artist such as Dee Daniels, Byron Stripling and Herbie Hancock. Tim has also accompanied several guest artists including Wycliff Gordon, Antonio Hart, Matt Wilson, Ingrid Jensen and Wynton Marsalis during their tours of the Pacific Northwest.

Raised on a farm in Southern Illinois, the first thing Brent Follis can remember is picking up a pair of wooden spoons, and tapping out rhythms on some old popcorn tins. Since then, his journey has led him cross country and around the globe, performing music for thousands of people, while in search of inspiration and culture. After receiving his degree in Advertising and music performance from Southern Illinois University, he transplanted himself in the fertile soil of the Pacific Northwest. After receiving a call from a friend and musical writing partner on the East Coast, and needing to fulfill his yearning for diversity, culture, and thin crust pizza, he moved to New York City. After a decade of performing, traveling, and immersing himself deep within the trenches of NYC, he made the sojourn back to the Rose City, where he maintains a busy recording and performance schedule, and can be found backing up many talented singer-songwriters, jazz and pop artists.

Celebrating Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, & Louis Prima

Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny and his all-star band celebrate the classic jazz, blues and jump swing of American music icons Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, and Louis Prima.

“Heroes!” Matheny says. “What a thrill to immerse ourselves in the sound and spirit of these three legendary recording artists and popular entertainers, known for delighting audiences worldwide with virtuosity and verve. This season's show promises to be lively, fun, and full of surprises!”

Matheny and friends will put a fresh spin on such familiar favorites as I’ve Got The World On A String, I Wanna Be Like You, Jump, Jive & Wail, Let The Good Times Roll, What A Wonderful World, and more!

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 eleven 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.”

The Dmitri Matheny Group is "an all-star jazz band featuring some of the most accomplished musicians in the western United States" (All About Jazz). Featuring Adam Harris on saxophones, Joe Bagg on keys, Eric Gruber on bass and Michael Raynor on drums.