Christo's's Upcoming Shows

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! 

David Friesen presents a new spin on his Circle 3 Trio, with the Circle 4 Quartet! David has performed and recorded with countless jazz legends, including Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Chick Corea, and Philly Joe Jones, to name a few. And lest we forget the two other incredible players in this trio, powerhouse drummer Charlie Doggett and explosive saxophonist Joe Manis. The great John Nastos will be joining them on alto saxophone! Great musicians, terrific original compositions and unique arrangements! "It’s been said of David Friesen that he does for the art of bass playing what Pythagoras did for the triangles." Patrick Hinely/Jazz Times "In the age of mediocrity and clones, John Stowell's uniqueness and originality are a breath of fresh air." Paul Horn "Saxophonist JOE MANIS has made a name for himself, not only in the world of jazz, but through performances and collaborations that have reached into the realms of classical and world music…" KLCC "JOHN NASTOS John is Portland, Oregon-based saxophonist, composer, and educator. While living in New York City, he studied at the Manhattan School of Music with Dick Oatts, Bob Mintzer, and Steve Wilson, completing the 4-year degree program in just 3 years. He has toured internationally as part of Diane Schuur’s band and has had his orchestral arrangements played by orchestras all of the globe. In 2011, Nastos released Metronomics — an innovative metronome app for iOS geared towards professional musicians. He currently maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule in the Northwest." bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com "CHARLIE DOGGETT, drummer/percussionist, is one of the most enigmatic drummers in the Portland and the greater Northwest music scene. He is a creative and versatile musician who makes himself heard." Origin Records Artists 

Affinity Trio consists of Eric Jacobson on trumpet, Clay Schaub on bass, and Pamela York on piano. Collectively, Affinity Trio maintains a steady schedule of performing, touring, and recording. Individually, they have worked with some of the biggest names in the jazz world: Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Bruce Barth, Brian Lynch, Greg Tardy, and Frank Morgan. Their second album for Origin Records, New Outlook, was released on October 17, 2025. Affinity Trio's debut recording, Hindsight, ranked Top 55 on the national jazz charts. The trio formed in 2021, beginning an ongoing weekly residency at the Mason Street Grill inside Milwaukee's historic Pfister Hotel. Drawing their repertoire from the Great American Songbook, bebop, and their original compositions, Affinity Trio performs without a drummer – creating an intimate ambience with a strong rhythmic groove. Equipped with an arsenal of standards from the Great American Songbook, as well as Latin jazz, bebop, and original compositions, Affinity Trio creates an intimate ambience while still possessing a strong rhythmic drive. "Jacobson, York, and Schaub are masters of sound, touch and feel. This outing showcases them in a drumless trio format which allows for all three of their gorgeous sounds to be heard with clarity. It's a swinging record that will keep you on the edge of your seat." - Dan Nimmer, pianist with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. 

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. 

Ed Bennett has long been considered one of the West Coast's premiere string bass players. Since his arrival in 1990, Ed has become a acoustical force in the Portland jazz community. Ed's got a spectacular band put together for this show, featuring Paul Mazzio on trumpet, Tim Wilcox on tenor sax, Steve Christofferson on keys, and Tim Rap on drums! Together they'll be performing Ed's original compositions from his new album and beyond. The fresh sounds of Bennett’s original compositions are be-bop influenced, but unique with twists in their harmonic progressions and unusual forms. “Ed Bennett is one of those powerhouse players whose virtuosity inspires the other participants on the bandstand to give it all they've got”. GEORGE FENDEL / JAZZSCENE