Wilfs Restaurant

Wednesday, March 17th is Wilfs’ 35th Anniversary! It also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day, so a little Irish and a lot of fun will be the theme of the day. We’ll be adding corned beef & cabbage, Irish stew, and Guinness Stout beer, to our regular menu for both lunch and dinner.

Performing live jazz at 7:30PM will be our long-time friend, Ron Steen with Karen Maria Capo, Steve Christofferson, and Dennis Caiazza. Plus, special food and drink items from our menu will benefit MercyCorps. Please make your reservation now at 503-223-0070 and join us as we celebrate this special day!

Continue Reading

PBS Design Presents…

The duo of Amy & Freddy return to Portland for the 3rd year, with two shows at Wilfs on Friday, March 12th benefiting Camp Starlight – a week-long residential summer camp for children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

Amy Armstrong’s beautiful voice, edgy humor and quick wit, combined with Freddy Allen’s impeccable musical arrangements and sly repartee, come together to form a “dynamic duo”, presenting an enjoyable and unforgettable entertainment experience. Based in Chicago, Amy & Freddy have been captivating audiences for more than 10 years in the classic tradition of such legendary entertainers as Bette Midler and Liza Minnelli. The duo brings three shows to Portland with a different flavor to each show. Returning this year is drummer extraordinaire, Steve Moretti. If you attend one show, you will definitely want to come back for more!

This incredible night of entertainment and generosity is presented by Phil Sparks Design and Cascade Aids Project. Performances start at 6:00PM and 9:00PM with $30 tickets available at Cascade Aids Project (208 SW 5th Avenue, #800 — contact Eva at 503.278.3801) or through Phil Sparks Design at 503-546-9662.

Continue Reading

The Godfather of the local jazz scene, Ron Steen and the Earshot Jazz 2009 “Northwest Vocalist if the Year”, Greta Matassa will be performing for two nights at Wilfs Restaurant & Bar as part of this year’s Portland Jazz Festival … tonight (2/23) and Wednesday the 24th — both shows start at 7:30PM.

Seattle native Greta Matassa is one of the country’s most talented and popular jazz singers. With hints of Ella, Sarah, Billie and Carmen, Greta is increasingly recognized as a unique voice in jazz. With her recent tours of Russia, Singapore and Hawaii and Japan, Greta’s sound is now reaching new audiences. Greta has released seven CD’s on the respected jazz label Origin Records and a DVD live concert with Mimi Fox.

“Matassa’s performance was a marvel of virtuosity.” —Los Angeles Times

“Boppish, Snappy and conversational”– Downbeat

“Greta Matassa is one of America’s finest singers, and stands firmly among the best in today’s jazz.” —Jazz Review

Portland jazz legend Ron Steen has been playing percussion with everyone in the local jazz scene since he just a kid when he played the Cotton Club in North Portland at the age of 15. He now performs regular gigs as bandleader of his own trio at Wilfs and other clubs, plays on numerous recording sessions, and hosts his famous weekly jam sessions with veterans and newcomers alike, where he has mentored more than a few of today’s best local artists.

Visit our Entertainment Calendar or the Portland Jazz Festival website to learn more.

Continue Reading

Wednesday 2/17

The Ron Steen Trio plays Wednesday, February 17th at 7:30PM with James Benton, Toni Lincoln, George Mitchell, Scott Steed.

Thursday 2/18

Tasha Miller will be appearing at Wilfs this Thursday, February 18th at 7:30PM with Mike Horsfall on the piano, Kevin Deitz on bass and Todd Strait on drums…and hopefully, you too!

Friday 2/19

The Mia Nicholson Trio performs Friday night at 8:00PM

Saturday 2/20

Rounding-out a fantastic week of live music, The Shelly Rudolph Trio appears Saturday Night at Wilfs at 8:00PM.

Continue Reading

Valentines Day falls on Sunday this year, but you can start the weekend off with delicious first courses of romantic music. On Thursday, February 12th at 8PM John Gillmore sings the love songs of Sinatra, and the Ron Steen Trio featuring Marilyn Keller performs on Saturday, February 13th at 8PM.

Our dinner menu will change just a bit, not quite as many choices, but still a great selection, table side preparations will be limited both evenings. No “set menu” for this weekend.

Call for reservations! Ask about the “special rate” for the Benson Hotel, we have partnered with them so you can have an incredible weekend downtown. Need flowers? Order through Flowers In Flight at 503.274.7088 and for the chocolate, Van Duyn at 503.227.1927 is the only choice.

Not in the mood for Valentine’s Day this year? Try Stumptown Stages “Un-Valentine’s Night Out” on Wednesday, February 11th at 7PM.

Continue Reading

Valerie Day has a voice that is evocative of another time, yet refreshingly modern. Remembered for her work with the Grammy nominated band NU SHOOZ, Valerie has returned to her musical roots and her love of jazz. Whether fronting a big band or singing with a small jazz combo, Valerie injects new life into standards from the Great American Songbook with impressive range and effortless delivery.

An in-demand singer and session player, Valerie performs and records with artists ranging from the Oregon Symphony Pops to pianist Michael Allen Harrison, celebrated jazz songwriter/pianist David Frishberg, African drummer Obo Addy and many others as well as recording for regional and national radio commercials.

“…Day sings with a warm, assured tone and interpretive depth…” – The Oregonian

You can experience Valerie Day’s unique vocal stylings when she performs at Wilfs with her quartet as part of the Portland Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 27th at 8:00 PM. Please call 503-223-0070 for reservations.

Continue Reading

Please join us on Thursday, February 11th for an Evening of Down with Love Songs, as Stumptown Stages presents UNVALENTINE’S NIGHT OUT. This cabaret showcase of great Portland singers and performers promises to be a fun and funny (and maybe a little poignant, too) evening of entertainment. RSVP now at 503-223-0070.

Continue Reading

Experience the “superb” guitar sounds of Chance Hayden this Thursday at 7:30PM when he performs live with David Goldblatt.

One of Portland’s youngest rising talents, Chance Hayden continues to labor tirelessly shaping and polishing his craft and experimenting at the boundaries of both the acoustic and electric guitar. Committed to developing an individual voice, he’s willing to take risks to develop as a musician and act as a leader despite being younger than most of his colleagues. While leading an array of groups from small combos to a nine-piece electric salute to Miles Davis to Troubled Boots, his Vintage Americana project, Chance also performs avidly as a sideman to artists such as Shelly Rudolph, Tom Grant, Darrell Grant, Devin Phillips and the Oregon Jazz Orchestra.

You can learn more about Chance on his MySpace page.

Continue Reading

Tickets are available now for the 2010 Portland Jazz Festival. Wilfs Restaurant and Bar will be hosting 5 evenings of the best local jazz artists as part of the festival, including Ron Steen, Greta Matassa, Dave Fleshner, Curtis Salgado, Tony Pacini, and the Valerie Day Quartet with Mike Horsfall, Dave Captein and Gary Hobbs.

Wilfs is proud to have become the home for local jazz musicians and singers throughout the year, while serving lunch, dinner and infused cocktails in an intimate and swanky atmosphere. Please see our Entertainment Calendar for a complete list of current shows, and click on the Jazz Fest program ad at left for a larger view.

Visit the Portland Jazz Festival website to learn more.

Continue Reading

Richard Arnold & the Groove Swingers, led by Richard Arnold on lead vocals, and supported by an “all star” rhythm section featuring keyboards, upright bass, pecussion and sax, will bring a touch of class and excitement to any and all musical tastes! Richard performs various styles from Jazz to classic standards, swing, blues, and Motown. Richard’s rich and powerful bass and bariton vocals are reminiscent of such greats as Lou Rawls, Frank Sinatra, Billy eckstein, Joe Williams, and Barry White. Visit their website for more information

Continue Reading