David Foster, Kartharine McPhee, JoJo Levesque, Anne Akiko Meyers, Others Headline Pacific Jazz Orchestra Benefit Concert
Emmet Cohen, Veronica Swift and Adam AeJaye Jackson round out the lineup for the evening's buffet reception and dancing.
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Pacific Jazz Orchestra's Benefit Concert on Saturday, October 10, 2026, 7:00 pm, at a historic private estate in Toluca Lake, CA, promises to be a musical night to remember. The evening under the stars celebrating Founder/Artistic Director Chris Walden's 60th birthday is anchored by an intimate concert featuring a stellar line up of guest artists from the worlds of pop music, Broadway, jazz, and classical music.
They include legendary 16-time time GRAMMY-winning songwriter/producer David Foster; film/television/Broadway/vocal star Katharine McPhee; GRAMMY-winning singer and Broadway luminary Joanna “JoJo” Levesque; virtuosic jazz pianist Emmet Cohen; multi-GRAMMY-winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers; critically acclaimed vocal sensation Veronica Swift; and R&B/soul singer Adam “AeJaye” Jackson.
The acclaimed artists perform with Pacific Jazz Orchestra, a 40-piece hybrid big band and string orchestra, led by Walden, a seven-time GRAMMY-nominee who is creating original arrangements for the genre-spanning program that embraces jazz, swing, Latin, R&B, pop, and musical theater.
The second half of the program features Walden leading Pacific Jazz Orchestra's 17-piece Big Band Ensemble.
“I can't think of a better way to turn 60 than surrounded by the music, musicians, friends and family I love,” says Walden, who is also the lead arranger for the Oscars. “This will be a very special event with remarkable artists in an iconic location.”
In addition to the al fresco performance, the celebration includes a sweet and savory buffet reception and hosted bar. It also features a live auction of enticing musical, entertainment, and travel packages capped by dancing under the stars to the Pacific Jazz Big Band Ensemble comprised of LA's leading studio musicians. Tickets ($325) include complimentary valet parking as well. Cocktail attire is suggested.
Pacific Jazz Orchestra has garnered critical acclaim for thrilling performances that “entertain, inspire, and enrich” (Variety). Pacific Jazz Orchestra thanks the Herb Alpert Foundation for its ongoing leadership support. Major funders for Pacific Jazz Orchestra include
GRoW @ Annenberg Foundation; the Alesia Alpert Family Foundation; the Natalie Cole Foundation; the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation; and Anonymous.
Walden states, “I'm tremendously grateful to everyone who has supported Pacific Jazz Orchestra since its inception in 2022 and the esteemed guest artists who have appeared with us. They have helped propel LA's only resident jazz orchestra into one of the country's leading ensembles. It is an honor to work with our immensely talented musicians who consistently deliver inspired performances.”
The address of the estate in Toluca Lake will be provided upon confirmed reservation. For single tickets ($325), sponsorship packages, and information about Pacific Jazz Orchestra, visit www.pacificjazz.org.
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