Join vocalist Shelly Rudolph on a soul-drenched tour through the timeless music of the divas who shaped her—Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin—alongside a few of her own smoldering originals. With a voice described as “equal parts sugar and whiskey” (All About Jazz), Shelly brings smoky elegance, raw emotion, and deep reverence to the music that raised her. She’ll be joined by an off-the-charts all-star trio: • Joe Bagg (piano & organ) – Known for his dynamic feel and fiery groove, Joe has toured internationally and recorded with jazz greats like Anthony Wilson and Peter Bernstein and the fabulous Jeff Goldblum. A true master of both Hammond B3 and piano, his playing brings deep swing and soulful shimmer. • Charlie Doggett (drums) – One of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved drummers, Charlie’s intuitive touch and rhythmic power have supported artists like Esperanza Spalding and Dan Balmer. His versatility moves effortlessly between hush and thunder. • Tim Willcox (saxophone) – A Portland saxophone treasure, Tim has been called “a modern master of tone and soul”. His improvisations bring both heat and heart, making every note count. Expect torch songs, gospel grit, slow burn ballads, and a few surprises in this unforgettable evening. 

Drummer Michael Raynor splits his time between Portland and Chicago, where he spent more than twenty years playing with tenor sax icon and NEA Jazz Master, Von Freeman. Raynor also toured extensively with vocalist Kurt Elling and can be heard on two of his Grammy nominated recordings, including “Live in Chicago,” featuring Jon Hendricks. Raynor has worked with Freddie Hubbard, Johnny Griffin, Eric Alexander, Steve Coleman, Tia Fuller, Ira Sullivan, Gary Bartz, Jon Faddis, Bobby Broom, Fareed Haque, Howard Levy, Arturo Sandoval, George Colligan, Chuck Israels, Bob Dorough, and Nancy King among others. In addition to playing festivals and venues throughout Europe, North America and Australia, Raynor has twice toured as a United States Jazz Ambassador. First under the artistic direction of the Kennedy Center, he traveled across Southeast Asia, and then in 2012, under the artistic direction of Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center, he toured southern Africa as co-leader of the Dennis Luxion/ Michael Raynor Quartet. Both tours included performance, teaching, and collaboration with local musicians. He continues to teach in both cities and on-line. Featuring Joe Bagg on organ and Jack Radsliff on guitar. 

On tour from NYC, the Nick Biello Quintet! Joined by an absolutely TREMENDOUS band featuring Charlie Porter on trumpet, Chris McCarthy on piano, Alex Tremblay on bass and Peter Kronreif on drums! Do NOT miss this one! Hailed as "a brash new voice to New York's vibrant jazz scene," by ALLAboutlazz.com, saxophonist, keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Nick Biello is developing a reputation as an exciting and artful musician. Nick has shared the stage with world-class artists, such as Slide Hampton, Cedar Walton, the Jimmy Heath Big Band, Rich Perry, Phil Markowitz, Steve Davis, Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band, Clarence Penn, John Benitez, Henry Cole, Harvie S, Victor Bailey, Jaime Johnson and Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers. He has performed at the Pescara and Bussi Jazz Festivals in Italy, as well as the Litchfield Jazz Festival, the New Haven Jazz Festival, and the Westchester Jazz Festival. Nick's saxophone has been heard at venues such as the Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center, The Iridium, B.B. King's, The House of Blues in Chicago, The Paramount Theater, The Birchmere Theater, Smalls, Smoke, Zinc Bar, The Kitano, Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, Bar Next Door, Rockwood Music Hall, Webster Theater, Infinity Hall, and Toad's Place. In demand as a composer and arranger, Nicholas has written arrangements that have been performed by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dave Koz, and Kelly Rowland. His work has been televised on networks such as ABC and ESPN, including the nationally aired 70th birthday celebration of Muhammed Ali. 

Guitarist Mike Gamble, bassist Garrett Baxter and drummer Machado Mijiga formed the band because, well, they're neighbors. Neighbors is a "garage band," whose garage happens to be The Center For Sound, Light, and Color AKA Color Therapy Studios in the historic Alberta Arts District of Portland, OR. Neighbors explores indie rock, pop, and folk through the lens of jazz improvisation, playing everything from through-composed compositions, to simple riffs, to co-written songs that span multiple genres and aesthetics. Neighbors writes and records new music every month—one month, the band performed 32 freshly written songs at a show in the span of two hours. Neighbors seems to bring neighborly music to neighborhoods around the world, one song at a time. 

Paula Byrne brings in her fantastic quartet featuring Todd Marston on keys, Tim Gilson on bass and Jason Palmer 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. 

Welcoming to Christo's for the first time, the SoulJazz Collective! Featuring the amazing vocal stylings of LaRhonda Steele, and featuring keyboardist Nick Milo, guitarist Richard Smith, bassist Kevin Deitz and drummer John Bishop. They'll be doing classics and originals from the Great American Soul Songbook. Nick Milo's career has brought him into the role of long-time music director for legendary musicians from Joe Cocker and Maria Muldaur to Tower of Power. As a composer Nick has worked in film and television and has composed for many top artists on the global R&B and soul scene, including Greg Adams and East Bay Soul. Kevin Deitz is an educator, a composer/arranger, and multi-instrumentalist who has performed with the Portland Opera Company, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Mose Allison, Frankie Avalon, Dave Brubeck, Terrence Blanchard, Andrea Bocelli, Paquito D’Rivera, The Eagles, Kurt Elling, Benny Golson, Ill Divo, The Moody Blues, Kenny Rankin and Brian Wilson amongst many others. He is an artist/endorser for Conklin Basses and Sidewinder strings and his album of original compositions, Skylines, is on the Origin Arts label. As a drummer, educator, record label owner, graphic designer, and festival presenter, John Bishop has been one of the primary voices in Northwest Jazz for 40 years. He has performed in concerts and clubs with Lee Konitz, Slide Hampton, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Ernestine Anderson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Sonny Fortune, Herb Ellis, Gary Peacock, Buddy DeFranco, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, and countless others. He’s appeared on more than 100 albums, including sessions with Hal Galper, Larry Coryell, Ernie Watts, Mark Murphy, Joe Locke, Bud Shank, George Cables, Ralph Towner, Teo Macero, and Jerry Bergonzi. He was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame in 2008 and was named a “Jazz Hero” by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2019. Richard Smith is a Los Angeles based recording artist and music professor at USC. His last 3 singles (2021 and 2022) have landed him in the most-played category on Sirius XM. His recordings feature Jeff Lorber, Kenny G, Vinnie Coaliuta, Alex Acuna and members of Tower of Power. He is a member of Greg Adams and East Bay Soul and helped pen the title cut of their last CD ‘The Real’