PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA’S HOLIDAY JAZZ SPECTACULAR

This past weekend, I finally made it out to a performance by the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, which I had heard a lot about. My friend, Nina2, and I went to their Holiday Jazz Spectacular. And it was exactly that!

The show was at Glendale’s Alex Theatre, which I had not been to in a very long time. Seeing the show in such a historic building, (it was built a hundred years ago!,) made it even more special.

I think this was actually Nina2’s favorite event that I had ever brought her to in our almost three years of friendship. She really loved it. A few minutes in, she whispered, “It’s a very full sound. It’s lovely.”

If you’re wondering what a jazz orchestra is, (as opposed to a jazz band,) it’s a forty-member hybrid big band and string orchestra. And the Pacific Jazz Orchestra is actually the only ensemble of its kind in the whole country! The conductor is Chris Walden, who not only led the musicians, but broke-out his own flugelhorn for a number near the end of the show! What a special surprise that was!

In addition to the talents of all the musicians on display, we were treated to a trio of vocalists: Sy Smith, Brenna Whitaker, and none other than Aloe Blacc! They sang five songs each, and ended the evening with all of them together on a jazzy version of Jingle Bells.

I was so glad that Sy sang the holiday song that means the most to me personally, Christmas Time Is Here, which I just refer to as “the Charlie Brown song!” Nina said, “Sy has a very holiday kind voice,” and I know just what she meant.

This was amusing—Brenna began her third Act One song, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, with the wrong words, (as Jingle Bell Rock,) so when she came out for the second act to start that set with the latter this time, she said, “Let’s do this right.” Very cute of her. (And I have to admit that I mix-up those two holiday ditties, as well!)

After that bit of frivolity, Brenna went with the more serious Grown-up Christmas List, whose message we need more than ever in this crazy year! She sang it beautifully, and told us that David Foster and Linda Thompson wrote it. I had no idea of that authorship! I thought it was from way before their time.

Aloe sang the social justice song, One Good Thing, that he released earlier this year, explaining that it was inspired by Martin Luther King and Harry Belafonte. He said it’s about “finding something good about each person, to move the world along.” I really appreciate that sentiment because that’s exactly what I try to do every day. (By the way—I couldn’t find an explanation of the impetus behind this song anywhere on the internet, so you may actually be reading an exclusive here!)

One music thing that I especially enjoyed was that we were sitting on the correct side to see the hands of the pianist, Josh Nelson. As someone whose piano abilities ended with Putt Putt Putt Goes the Flashy Speedboat, (just about the first piano composition that all kids learn,) I like seeing what talented people can do on those keys!

It was also nice to be among so many enthusiastic jazz fans! I’m used to being in audiences for dance and theatre, but this music one was entirely different. There was a different kind of upbeat energy in the place. I hadn’t hung with jazz peeps that much in my life, so they were a nice surprise. I got a kick out of that they were of all ages—I even spotted a few babies in the crowd!—and in so many different modes of attire.

One thing that made the whole evening even more special for Nina2 and me is that we were invited to two intimate private receptions—one at intermission and the other at the end of the concert. We got to discuss what we had just seen and heard with people who really know the genre. I even got to laud Brenna Whitaker in person. And eat some delicious cookies and pastries, to boot! It was the perfect capper to a charming holiday event.

To learn more about Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s performances, check-out their website right here: www.pacificjazz.org.