Pacific Jazz Orchestra
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikitia's general notability guideline. |
Pacific Jazz Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Add a Photo | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, Big band, Orchestral, Latin jazz |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Website | pacificjazz |
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra (PJO) is a 40-piece nonprofit jazz ensemble based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2022 by German-born composer, arranger, and conductor Chris Walden, the orchestra combines a traditional big band instrumentation with a string section. It is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and presents an annual concert season at venues across Southern California.
Background
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra was founded by Chris Walden in 2022.[1] The ensemble made its public debut in April 2023 at United Recording studio in Hollywood, where Walden conducted a 30-minute performance and announced the orchestra's inaugural season before an audience that included Grammy and Emmy Award recipients.[1] The orchestra signed a collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.[2]
Walden described his motivation for founding the ensemble: "Los Angeles has not had a resident jazz orchestra since 2006 when the Henry Mancini Institute, led by Patrick Williams, closed its doors after an acclaimed ten-year run."[2] The orchestra was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with Walden noting that "a project like this can't survive on ticket sales alone."[2]
Ensemble
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra consists of 40 musicians drawn from the Los Angeles studio recording community.[3] Its instrumentation combines a standard big band brass and woodwind section with a string orchestra, a format Walden has described as a "hybrid ensemble."[1] The orchestra also fields a smaller 18-piece big band configuration for touring engagements.[3]
Chris Walden serves as founder, artistic director, and principal conductor. He is a seven-time Grammy Award-nominated composer and arranger who has written arrangements for artists including Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder, and has served as lead arranger for the Academy Awards since 2019.[4]
Seasons and programming
Each season consists of five concert projects, each built around a specific musical theme and a different featured guest artist, and each performed at a different venue in the Los Angeles area.[5] Genres represented have included jazz, Latin jazz, hip hop, R&B, bossa nova, and musical theater.[5]
Guest artists who have performed with the orchestra include singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, singer and actress Katharine McPhee, Grammy Award-winning vocal group Take 6, Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, saxophonist Ben Wendel, violinist Caroline Campbell, and vocalist Ledisi.[6]
The orchestra's 2025–26 season included a tribute to Quincy Jones, who served on the PJO's advisory board until his death in November 2024, and a centenary program honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane, both born in 1926.[6] The ensemble has also toured Japan in its 18-piece configuration.[3]
Education programs
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra operates a youth education program. An annual summer workshop, held in partnership with Heart of Los Angeles, trains young musicians who then perform as the Pacific Youth Jazz Orchestra.[7] The organization also provides opportunities for guest conductors and arrangers, with a stated goal of advancing diversity among music directors.[7]
Organization
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra's board of directors includes Rafa Sardina (Chair), Alexander Walden (Treasurer), and Don Franzen (Secretary), among others.[8]
The ensemble's advisory board has included David Foster, Quincy Jones, Monica Mancini, Alan Bergman, Rickey Minor, Harvey Mason Jr., Ledisi, Dave Grusin, and others.[8][3]
The Herb Alpert Foundation has served as the primary financial sponsor of the orchestra since its inaugural season.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "L.A.'s New Pacific Jazz Orchestra Unveils Plans Before Star-Studded Crowd at United Recording Studio". Variety. April 10, 2023. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Pacific Jazz Orchestra Launches Spectacular Debut Season". AFM Local 47. January 5, 2024. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Pacific Jazz Orchestra". San Francisco Classical Voice. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ "Chris Walden". Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Pacific Jazz Orchestra Announces 2024–25 Season". Musical America. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Pacific Jazz Orchestra Announces 2025–26 Season". Musical America. August 12, 2025. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Pacific Jazz Orchestra". GRoW @ Annenberg. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "About". Pacific Jazz Orchestra. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
External links
This article "Pacific Jazz Orchestra" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.