Press Reviews

“L.A.’s New Pacific Jazz Orchestra Unveils Plans Before Star-Studded Crowd at United Recording Studio” (Jon Burlingame)

“Chris Walden brought to fruition — and to the stage — an ambitious idea whose time had come” (Josef Woodard)

“The Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a full-blown jazz adventure” (Joseph Collins)

San Francisco Classical Voice

“Pacific Jazz Orchestra takes big band to the next level.” (Victoria Looseleaf)

Santa Barbara Independent

“… the ensemble successfully reaches across the demographic aisle by blending elements of the jazz big band with a string section and smartly integrating featured moments for singers from the pop, jazz, and R&B worlds.” (Josef Woodard)

Wakefield 805 on KZSB

“One of the greatest orchestras in the history of orchestras!” (Drew Wakfield)

Newport News (p.11)

“The Pacific Jazz Orchestra…showed the audience what it truly means to push boundaries.” (Kelly Bennett)

Stage and Cinema

“PJO’s lush, full, golden sound—like a POPS ensemble and a Count Basie big band on steroids” (Tony Frankel)

LA Jazz Szene

“Pacific Jazz Orchestra (with Chris Walden’s arrangements) proved to be a mighty impressive outfit.” (Scott Yanow)

Jazz Weekly

“If this is the type of music that Walden sees as the future, I’m buying my bonds now!” (George W. Harris)

Local News Pasadena

“A Master Class in Jazz and Generosity - Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s fundraiser hits all the right notes” (Sheryl Turner)

LA Jazz Szene

“The acceptance and popularity of the unique performances featuring artists from pop, jazz, country and other genres with PJO has been phenomenal” (Chris Walker)

The Montecito Journal

“There's nothing like it. Literally. The PJO is the only such ensemble in the country.” (Steven Libowitz)