UPCOMING SHOWS
2026/27
SUTTON FOSTER
The Soraya
SEP 16, 2026
QUINCY JONES TRIBUTE
Feat. Nayanna Holley & Adam “Aejaye” Jackson
Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center
OCT 18, 2026
HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
Feat. Sy Smith, Billy Valentine & Brenna Whitaker
The McCallum Theatre
DEC 23, 2026
KANDACE SPRINGS
The Wallis
FEB 9, 2027
QUINCY JONES TRIBUTE
Feat. Adam “Aejaye” Jackson
The Granada Theatre
APR 3, 2027
THE MUSIC OF CHARLIE
BROWN & PEANUTS
Feat. David Benoit
Irvine Barclay Theatre
MAY 20, 2027
Education Program
PJO SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE
PJO SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE
In order to foster the next generation of musicians and artists, starting in June 2026 the PJO and Heart of Los Angeles will establish a three-day summer seminar/workshop for young musicians. Participants will receive group lessons from orchestra members on their respective instruments and then rehearse together as an ensemble and at the end perform a concert as the “Pacific Youth Jazz Orchestra”.
Under the guidance of the artistic director, the PJO will give guest conductors and arrangers the opportunity to lead concert projects in an effort to advance diversity in the field of music directors.
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra®
The Pacific Jazz Orchestra® (PJO) is Los Angeles' premier 40-piece ensemble for jazz and beyond, redefining the orchestral jazz experience. With an annual concert season featuring five distinct projects and an impressive lineup of guest artists, the PJO transcends genres to present a vibrant array of musical styles. Performances take place across select LA venues, showcasing the city’s rich cultural and musical diversity.
As the only orchestra of its kind in the United States, the PJO epitomizes the spirit of jazz—America’s original art form—brought to life by the unmatched talent of LA’s finest musicians. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, the PJO boasts an advisory board that includes legends like David Foster, Quincy Jones, Monica Mancini, Alan Bergman, Rickey Minor, Harvey Mason Jr., and Ledisi.
Artistic Director
CHRIS WALDEN, artistic director and conductor of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, is a 7-time Grammy-nominated composer/arranger, who has worked with Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Rihanna, Seal, Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Herb Alpert, and many more. He serves as lead arranger at the Oscars and has conducted the LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Metropole Orkest, Boston Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, WDR Big Band Cologne and many more.
“If music be the food of love, play on.”
— William Shakespeare
Photo by Takuo Sato
Photo by Beate Walden
Luis Luque | Luque Photography
Photo by Peter Erskine
Photo by Ryan Clemens
Photo by Beate Walden
Photo by the Irvine Barclay Theatre
Photo by Peter Erskine
Luis Luque | Luque Photography
Photo by the Irvine Barclay Theatre
SEE MORE
Mission Statement
The mission of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra® is to entertain and enrich the lives of the people of Los Angeles and the greater Southern California community, as well as a global community through performance and educational programs.
Sponsors
Donors
Jim & Penny Coulter
Susan McCaw
Howard Stern
Katharine McPhee
Carole Gaba
Charles Ortner
Gary Oakland
Shelly Berg
Bob & Randi Fisher
Don & Betsy Dixon
Matt Serletic
Anonymous
Michael Lazarus
Dale & Don Franzen
Jonathan Fryd
Robert Reeder & Marcie Maxwell
Anne Akiko Meyers & Jason Subotky
Dr. Ron Karlsberg
The PJO is actively looking for private donors as well as corporate sponsors to help fulfill the vision of a resident jazz orchestra in LA with a program of performances that will entertain, enrich, and educate a diverse audience reaching far beyond LA.