Shows - Christo's

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

The Carter Collective Open Jazz Jam Last Sundays 5-9

Sun, Sep 27

NO COVER CHARGE, SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE (IGNORE THE "SOLD OUT" TICKET BUTTON)

Welcome to the last Sunday Jazz Jams in our lounge!

The sessions will be hosted by Salem stalwart drummer and friend of Christo's Jason Carter, and he is joined by pianist Marcus Harbaugh and bassist Ken Anoe.

Jazz musicians of all skill levels are welcome to come and add their name to the sign up list to join the jam session!

Doors open to the Lounge at 5:00. Jam runs from 5:30-9. Full dinner service will be available.

Joe Manis Quartet

Thu, Oct 01

So excited for the great saxophonist Joe Manis to bring his swinging band to Christo's! Featuring John Storie on guitar, Tyler Abbott on bass and Charlie Doggett on drums!

Originally from Dexter, Oregon, SteepleChase recording artist Joe Manis is noted for the strength of his "intense, updated take on the glorious Rollins-'Trane tradition." (Willamette Week) Manis was the recipient of a 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. His album for SteepleChase Records, The Golden Mean, features George Colligan on organ, Kevin Congleton on drums, and Lillie Manis on viola and was released in 2015. North By Northwest was released by SteepleChase Records in 2013.

He released his debut album Evidence in 2009 features Manis on tenor saxophone, Kevin Congleton on drums, and Portland luminary Dave Captein on bass: the Willamette Week called the album "explosive,” and said “(Manis) makes Pink Floyd's 'Money' sound like something a young John Coltrane might have played"; the Eugene Weekly said: "Fabulous... Will thrill fans of Monk, Rollins."

The Joe Manis Trio was featured at Rontoms during the 2010 PDX Jazz Festival, a high-energy performance that was a featured Willamette Week "Pick" and received praise from local music critics and bloggers; the Trio returned to the Festival in 2011, 2013 and 2020. Recent Joe Manis Trio appearances include Fat Cat NYC, the Shedd Institute’s jazz series, Jimmy Mak's, Tula's, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, and the Montavilla Jazz Festival.

Manis has toured Europe as a duo and in a trio with David Friesen, where they recorded Structures, a live album. He currently plays with Friesen's Trio. He also appears on Risky Notion (Four stars & Best Albums of 2015, DownBeat Magazine) on Origin Records with George Colligan's Theoretical Planets. Manis has played with Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, including a performance at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and appears on their album Rise Up! on Real World Records. He has also performed with the George Colligan Quartet, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Johnny Mathis, the Temptations, comedian Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, the Oregon Symphony with Gladys Knight, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Portland Opera, the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, and the Eugene Opera. Manis has performed on NPR’s Jazz Night In America, hosted by Christian McBride.

Manis has presented jazz masterclasses across the country, including at University of Nevada, Reno, California State University, Northridge, Whitman College, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, Ferris State University, Central Washington University, Willamette University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Pacific University, Lower Columbia College and Mesa, Glendale, Portland, Spokane Falls, Mt. Hood, Clackamas and Lane Community Colleges. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Studies-Performance with Academic Honor from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. Additional studies were at the Eastman School of Music. He is a current faculty member at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College and a former music faculty member at Portland State University and Umpqua Community College. Manis is the Director of the Oregon Jazz Workshop in Eugene. His article "Rhythmic Analysis: Jeff 'Tain' Watts - 'Housed From Edward'" was published in the March 2012 edition of JAZZed Magazine. Manis also has written for the Jazz Society of Oregon's Jazzscene. He is married to violinist/violist/educator Lillie Manis, with whom he has a son, Ellery.

Galen Clark Organ Trio ft. Peter Knudsen & Micah Hummel

Thu, Oct 08

The Galen Clark Organ Trio brings a genre bending approach to the classic organ trio instrumentation, exploring entropic soundscapes, psychedelic funk and groove heavy electronic tinged jazz. The music ranges from organ trio classics to soaring originals and takes influence from legends such as Jimmy Mcgriff, John Scofield and The Meters. The lineup features Micah Hummel on drums and Peter Knudsen on guitar. Galen Clark is a keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and educator based in Portland, OR. He leads the soul funk collective Outer Orbit and the genre bending group Trio Subtonic and he is 1/3 of the NW collaboration Patterns Fly with D'Vonne Lewis and Andy Coe. He has toured and collaborated with artists such as Anna Tivel, Sarah Clarke, Sleater-Kinney, A Love Electric, Jessica Lurrie and more.

Fernando Ferrarone Quartet

Sun, Oct 11

Jazz trumpeter and saxophonist Fernando Ferrarone and his quartet will be performing original compositions from his upcoming album entitled 'Travel With Me' and also from his first album entitled 'Now Till Forever' which has been heard on KNKX 88.5 Seattle. Fernando attended Berklee College of Music on a full tuition scholarship in Boston. He has performed in various jazz festivals such as the Pompano Beach Jazz Festival, Clermont jazz festival and others. Fernando has performed throughout New York City jazz clubs such as Smalls, Ornithology, and many others. He has also performed with bands like Tony Succar, Gafieira Rio Miami, and The Horizons Jazz Orchestra. Internationally he has performed extensively in Argentina, Peru and Colombia.

Featuring musicians from Miami, New York and Argentina:

Fernando Ferrarone - Trumpet and Alto Saxophone (Miami)

Bob Bruya - Bass (New York)

Sam Hart - Drums (Miami)

Russell Kranes - Piano (Argentina)

Jun Iida Quintet

Thu, Oct 15

Award winning trumpeter, composer, and educator Jun Iida is known for his dynamic and versatile contributions to the jazz and contemporary music scenes. With an impressive array of performances at renowned venues and festivals across the world, Iida has built a reputation as a skilled performer and a dedicated educator.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri as the son of Japanese immigrants, Iida was immersed in a broad range of musical influences during his upbringing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Iida’s musical journey has taken him from Los Angeles to Seattle, and he is currently an active figure in the New York music scene. His performance credits include Jazz at Lincoln Center (Shanghai), Pit Inn (Tokyo), 100BAN Hall (Kobe), Smalls Jazz Club, Nublu, and Soapbox Gallery (NYC), as well as a number of prestigious venues in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, such as Sam First, Blue Whale, The Baked Potato, Gold Diggers, SFJazz, Black Cat, Benaroya Hall, and The Triple Door. He has also performed internationally, with notable tours in Canada, the US, and China.

As a bandleader, Iida leads the Jun Iida Group (Los Angeles/NYC), and has been a part of successful ensembles such as FADE Quintet (Seattle), Salt Petal (Los Angeles) and Todo Mundo/WITHIN (San Diego). He has performed at renowned festivals including SXSW, PDX Jazz Fest, and Earshot Jazz Festival. Over the years, he has shared the stage with a range of acclaimed musicians, including Deltron 3030, Mike Phillips, Takuya Kuroda, Anat Cohen, and Skerik.

A recipient of multiple awards and grants, Iida’s artistry has been recognized by the greater music community, earning him several Golden Ear Awards nominations and a spot on the 2025 Jack Straw Artist Support Program. His debut album as a leader, Evergreen (OA2 Records), was released in January 2024 to great acclaim, showcasing his evolving voice as a composer and performer.

Fluent in both English and Japanese with strong connections to both Japanese and American cultures, Iida continues to push the boundaries of jazz performance and education, fostering a deeper appreciation for the genre while engaging with diverse audiences worldwide. His passion for both performance and mentorship solidifies his place as one of the emerging voices in contemporary jazz.

“All compositions are reflective of both his Japanese heritage and his command and fluency in jazz

composition and stylings, the two worlds being complementary and mutually enriching on this showing.

The diversity of mood and style, not to mention thoughtful programming of tracks, is a real strength of

this album. All in all, there is a great deal to enjoy here.” – London Jazz News

Featuring Chris McCarthy on keys, JK Kim on drums, Giulio Xavier Cetto on bass, Masami Kuroki on guitar.

The Kemtone Quartet

Thu, Oct 22

Bandleader & saxophonist Randy Kem is joined by an all star band featuring bassist Tim Gilson, pianist Jof Lee, and drummer Mike Snyder. A fantastic group of players who always put on a great show! Randy Kem, saxophones Jof Lee, piano Tim Gilson, bass Mike Snyder, drums

Christo's's Upcoming Shows