PRESS RELEASE
Pacific Jazz Orchestra,
Led by Acclaimed Composer/Arranger/Conductor Chris Walden, Announces 2024-25 Season
40-Piece, LA-Based, Hybrid Big Band and String Orchestra
Presents Four Distinctive Programs
Featuring a Range of Music Icons
at Five Southland Venues in
Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Desert, and Santa Barbara
Ensemble also Launches New Intimate Jazz Series at The Aster Club in Hollywood and Hosts First Fundraiser
Of Note:
Ivan Lins, Lee Ritenour, Christopher Cross, John Pizzarelli, Sy Smith, Jane Monheit, Om’Mas Keith, and Others among Special Guests to be Featured with Ensemble;
Programs Span Straight-Ahead Jazz, Swing, Hip Hop, R&B, Broadway, Pop, Brazilian Jazz, and Bossanova;
Ensemble Headlines at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills; The Soraya in Northridge; Orange County’s Irvine Barclay Theater and Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts; Palm Desert’s McCallum Theater; and The Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara;
Pacific Jazz Orchestra Launches New Intimate Jazz Showcase Series at the Aster Club in Hollywood, with a Rotating Quartet of PJO Musicians Joined by Emerging and Established Artists;
Founded in 2022 and Comprised of Leading Studio Musicians, Pacific Jazz Orchestra, Sponsored in Part by the Herb Alpert Foundation, Is LA’s Only Resident Jazz Orchestra.
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 16, 2024) – Pacific Jazz Orchestra, LA’s only resident 40-piece hybrid big band and string orchestra, announces an ambitious and adventurous 2024-25 season. Founded and led by esteemed seven-time GRAMMY®-nominated composer/arranger/conductor Chris Walden, Pacific Jazz Orchestra, comprised of leading studio musicians, flexes its considerable musical muscle with a range of compelling programs showcasing straight-ahead jazz, swing, hip hop, R&B, Broadway, Brazilian jazz, bossa nova, pop, and more at five leading venues in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara.
“Pacific Jazz Orchestra fills a unique role in LA’s bustling music scene,” says Walden. “There hasn’t been a bona fide professional jazz orchestra that combines a big band with a string orchestra based in LA in nearly 20 years. This instrumentation provides the ultimate in flexibility, enabling Pacific Jazz Orchestra to perform a vast array of musical styles.
He adds, “Since our musicians are true thoroughbreds who can play anything put in front of them, creating music for Pacific Jazz Orchestra is such a joy for me. This season, we will be stretching our musical boundaries with wide ranging programs designed to captivate people of all ages. Each show we present has a unique musical theme, offering a phenomenal cross section of music and artistry.”
Pacific Jazz Orchestra launches its 2024-25 season with two back-to-back nights of exceptional straight-ahead jazz, swing, and traditional big band jazz featuring jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli – hailed for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz” (Boston Globe) – and Sy Smith, “one of the hardest working women in soul music” (Plano Magazine). (Friday, September 6, Granada Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA; and Saturday, September 7, 2024, Barclay Irvine Theater, Irvine, CA)
Next up, Pacific Jazz Orchestra hosts Ivan Lins’ 80th Birthday Celebration, showcasing the considerable talents of iconic Brazilian songwriter/vocalist/pianist who holds “legendary status both in Brazilian and American music circles” (Downbeat). Joining the guest of honor for the celebration are adult contemporary vocalist Jane Monheit, applauded for her “first-rate music” (NPR), and musical chameleon Lee Ritenour, famed for his “virtuosic guitar” chops (Jazziz) and fusion, post-bop, and Brazilian jazz stylings jazz. (Friday, January 17, 2025, Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, Costa Mesa, CA; Sunday, January 19, McCallum Theater, Palm Desert, CA)
Shifting its considerable musical gears, Pacific Jazz Orchestra offers a dazzling Broadway Tribute with notable guests (Saturday, February 1, 2025, The Soraya, Northridge, CA)
Capping its season, Pacific Jazz Orchestra returns to The Wallis with a program of genre-bending musical styles. (Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, 2025, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills, CA)
In addition to these four dynamic main-stage shows, Oscar® and five-time GRAMMY®-winner Christopher Cross joins Pacific Jazz Orchestra for its first-ever benefit concert, offering a rare opportunity to see the beloved artist in an intimate venue. The pop sensation and yacht rock pioneer, an Oscar and five-time GRAMMY®-winner with such enduring hits as “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind,” “Arthur’s Theme” “Alright,” and “Think of Laura,” has sold over 10 million albums. Co-headlining with Cross is Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s own saxophonist Jacob Scesney. The woodwind specialist has more than 50 chart-topping performance credits with world-renowned acts such as Maroon 5, The Jonas Brothers, Shawn Mendes, & John Legend. (Thursday, October 10, 2024, Vibrato Jazz Club, Los Angeles, CA)
Pacific Jazz Orchestra also launches a new intimate jazz showcase series at the Aster Club in Hollywood with four programs slated. They will feature a rotating quartet of the ensemble’s musicians joined by emerging and established artists. (Dates and artists TBA.)
Plans are in the works as well for a Pacific Jazz Orchestra hip hop extravaganza, featuring eminent artists in the field, curated by GRAMMY®-winning hip hop producer/composer/musician Om’Mas Keith, known for his work with Frank Ocean, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu, and John Legend. Among numerous career highlights, Om’Mas partnered Shafiq Husayn and Taz Arnold to form the alternative hip-hop sensation Sa-Ra, described as “stylish, experimental, eccentric, and eclectic… a foundational inspiration for a new generation” (NTS radio). (Date and location TBA.)
Pacific Jazz Orchestra has garnered critical acclaim for thrilling performances that “entertain, inspire, and enrich” (Variety). Thanks to the generosity of The Herb Alpert Foundation (HAF), the Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s inaugural season was fully funded, and HAF continues to support the ensemble in its 2024-25 season. Additional support this season is provided by Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg.
For tickets and information, visit www.pacificjazz.org.
About Pacific Jazz Orchestra
PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA embraces and reflects the diverse and enthralling soundscape of Los Angeles, where the 40-piece ensemble was born, bred, and resides. The ultimate cross-over sensation, the nimble hybrid jazz big band and string orchestra comprised of powerhouse studio musicians deftly navigates musical styles ranging from jazz, Latin, hip hop, and R&B, to pop, musical theater, symphonic, and cinematic soundtracks.
Founded in 2022 by seven-time GRAMMY®-nominated composer/arranger/conductor Chris Walden, Pacific Jazz Orchestra has garnered critical acclaim for thrilling performances that “entertain, inspire, and enrich” (Variety). As artistic director and conductor, Walden creates a melting pot of original music and unique arrangements for every show, each with a specific theme, distinctive jazz flair, and lush orchestrations.
The ensemble is also noted for its ambitious collaborations with a wide range of guest artists, among them acclaimed singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, singer/actress Katharine McPhee, GRAMMY®-winning vocal group TAKE 6, and Tony Award-winner Aaron Tveit. Other projects have featured eminent violinist Caroline Campbell, celebrated saxophonist Ben Wendel, GRAMMY®-winning artist Ledisi, R&B/soul singer Adam “AeJaye” Jackson, vocal stylist Sheléa, and veteran blues and funk singer Billy Valentine.
Pacific Jazz Orchestra presents an annual concert series at various Southern California venues and has toured to Japan with its 18-piece big band configuration. It is LA’s first resident jazz orchestra since 2006, when the Henry Mancini Institute closed its doors after an acclaimed ten-year run. A 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization, Pacific Jazz Orchestra is sponsored in part by the Herb Alpert Foundation. Its Advisory Board Members include David Foster, Quincy Jones, Monica Mancini, Alan Bergman, Rickey Minor, Harvey Mason Jr., and Ledisi.
About Chris Walden
Seven-time GRAMMY®-nominated composer/arranger CHRIS WALDEN is the artistic director and conductor of Pacific Jazz Orchestra. Hailed as a “distinguished conductor” (Audio Media International) and “gifted and well-connected arranger-composer” (Santa Barbara Independent) who pens “exquisite string arrangements” (The Arts Desk), Walden “has built an illustrious career working behind the scenes with some of music's biggest names” (grammy.com).
He has scored more than 40 feature and TV films and written more than 1,500 orchestral and big band arrangements for such artists as John Legend, Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney, SEAL, Stevie Wonder, Rihanna, Barbra Streisand, and Josh Groban. He has also collaborated as an arranger and bandleader with jazz artists Diana Krall, Herb Alpert, Michael Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, and the Count Basie Orchestra and served as the lead arranger for the Academy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, American Idol, and even the Super Bowl, arranging Jennifer Hudson’s National Anthem performance. In addition to working closely with producers David Foster, Tommy LiPuma, and Phil Ramone, Walden’s credits include conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Holland’s Metropole Orkest, Boston Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, and WDR Big Band Cologne, among others.
The German-born musician, who performs on trumpet and flugelhorn as well, composed music for German films and TV before emigrating to Los Angeles at the age of 29. Walden, who lives in Los Angeles, has served as trustee on the national board of the Recording Academy and past president of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).
EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: CALENDAR LISTINGS (in chronological order)
Pacific Jazz Orchestra Presents John Pizzarelli and Sy Smith in a Program of Straight-Ahead Jazz, Swing, and Traditional Big band Jazz
Friday, September 6, 2024, Granada Theatre, 1214 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Saturday, September 7, 2024, Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92697
Benefit Concert: Pacific Jazz Orchestra Welcomes Christopher Cross and Saxophonist Jacob Scesney
Thursday, October 10, 2024, Vibrato Jazz Club, 2930 Beverly Glen Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Pacific Jazz Orchestra Hosts Ivan Lins’ 80th Birthday Celebration, featuring Ivan Lins, Jane Monheit, and Lee Ritenour
Friday, January 17, 2025, Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Sunday, January 19, 2025, McCallum Theater, 73000 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Pacific Jazz Orchestra Presents a Broadway Tribute with Special Guests
Saturday, February 1, 2025, The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91325
Pacific Jazz Orchestra Returns to The Wallis with a Program of Genre-Bending Musical Styles
Thursday, May 29, The Wallis, 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Friday, May 30, 2025, The Wallis, 9390 N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Details to be Announced for:
Pacific Jazz Orchestra New Intimate Jazz Showcase
Aster Club in Hollywood, 1717 Vine St Floor 6, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Dates/Artists TBA
A Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s Hip Hop Extravaganza Curated by Om’Mas Keith
Artists/ Dates/Location TBA
TICKETS AND INFORMATION:
Dates, times, locations, and artists subject to change
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