Kerry Politzer Quartet

Kerry Politzer Quartet

Thu, Dec 04

So glad to have the Kerry Politzer Quartet back at Christo's! Featuring the great George Colligan on drums, Joe Manis on sax & Robert Rodriguez on bass! Kerry Politzer is a Portland-based jazz pianist, composer, and educator. She is on the music faculty of Portland State University, and she has taught at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Swing University, the University of Portland, and the Oregon Jazz Workshop. Kerry received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Piano from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied improvisation and composition with the late jazz guru Charlie Banacos. In May 2023, she earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Rowan University. Kerry is an alumna of the 2003 and 2005 Banff Jazz Workshops. Prior to moving to Portland, Kerry lived in New York for many years, where she studied Brazilian music and performed original compositions at clubs including Smalls. She also toured with DIVA No Man’s Band, playing with Diane Schuur, Slide Hampton, and Larry Coryell. In 1996, Kerry was one of six finalists in the American Pianists Association’s 3rd Biennial Jazz Piano Competition. Her composition Rhodes Rage won Third Prize, Jazz Category in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition. Kerry has released seven jazz CDs as a leader, including Blue in Blue, which featured saxophonist Donny McCaslin and was termed a “first-rate jazz outing” by AllAboutJazz.com. She has also been a featured sideman on albums of George Colligan, Laura Dreyer, and the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble and was featured on Sax And The City: Musical Contributions From New York’s Best Women Jazz Instrumentalists (Apria Records, 2004). The pianist’s latest CD is In a Heartbeat (PJCE Records, 2022). 

Shelly Rudolph Sings Sinatra for the Holidays! ft. Chance Hayden

Shelly Rudolph Sings Sinatra for the Holidays! ft. Chance Hayden

Thu, Dec 11

Put on your holiday best, grab your fedora, and sashay on down to Christo’s for an unforgettable night of Swank Frank Favorites, heartwarming holiday tunes, and maybe even a sing-along (or two)! 🎶 Ms. Rudolph’s well-loved blend of soulful jazz and innate merriment shines even brighter this time of year. Her sweet and sultry take on Sinatra conjures the magic of the season — guaranteed to fly you to the moon and back. Honeyed arrangements by guitarist Chance Hayden bring new life to old chestnuts as he masterfully leads this extraordinary trio through a repertoire steeped in swing, swagger, and swoon. So don’t be a stranger in the silent night — bundle up you and yours for an evening of cheer, charm, and pure delight. 🎄✨ Featuring Chance Hayden on guitar, Ross Garlow on bass and Michael Raynor on drums. 

David Friesen Christmas Concert

David Friesen Christmas Concert

Thu, Dec 18

David Friesen always puts on a phenomenal Christmas show presenting both unexpected interpretations of classics and original compositions. Featuring the great Joe Manis on sax, Dan Gaynor on piano & Charlie Doggett on drums. "The David Friesen compositions are all gorgeous, rich and accessible, each tune more beautiful than the first and absolutely wonderful soloing and ensemble play at its highest level. " -JM/Jazz Clubscene 

A New Years Eve Soiree with Mike Winkle & Conversation

A New Years Eve Soiree with Mike Winkle & Conversation

Wed, Dec 31

Join us to ring in the New Year at Christo's Lounge with the fantastic Mike Winkle Conversation Quartet! They'll be performing three sets of music from 7PM to 10PM! The lads will be doing a mix of standards, new classics and the swinging music of the 60's re-imaged as jazz. Beatles, Animals, Cream, Traffic, Zombies, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Procol Harem and more! Tickets include a complimentary prosecco toast. The San Francisco Bay Area in the 60’s had such a diverse and vibrant music scene, and growing up there, Michael was exposed to and influenced by so many different artists of that era who performed at Winterland, The Fillmore and other venues that a kid could get into! Artists ranging from Santana to Miles Davis, Otis Redding to Cream! What a fantastic time that was! Being influenced and inspired first, by the British bands who stormed our radio airwaves and later by Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Kenny Rankin, Bobby Caldwell, Donny Hathaway and many others. Jazz vocalists like Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra came later to Michael, and whether intentional or not, he believes that all of those influences coalesced into what he sounds like today. Michael's voice has been compared to a host of artists including, Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Bobby Caldwell, Sam Cooke, Michael Buble' and others. There are probably bits and pieces of all of them in that voice! Michael's original tunes are Jazz(ish) with nods to his influences. Michael has recorded songs from artists as varied as Sinatra, The Animals, Coltrane, Bill Henderson, Van Morrison, Beatles to Bill Evans. As Michael says, "If it has a great melody and lyric, I'm in!"