Pacific Jazz Orchestra, A Tribute to Quincy Jones
featuring Adam “Aejaye” Jackson & Nayanna Holley

Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center

Pacific Jazz Orchestra presents A Tribute to Quincy Jones, an exploration of Jones’ masterful early work from the 1950s and 60s, featuring guest vocalists Nayanna Holley and Adam “Aejaye” Jackson.

Quincy Jones was a household name for decades, but long before Michael Jackson and “We Are the World,” the musician/arranger/producer worked his way up, first from humble beginnings as a jazz trumpeter and then scoring films when he moved to Los Angeles. His lifelong impact is considerable, including a long list of those whom he mentored, among them seven-time GRAMMY Award-nominated bandleader and arranger Chris Walden, who is also founder and artistic director of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra and conducts the concert. Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s 19-piece big band pays homage to Quincy Jones in a program that features his work onstage and onscreen and transport us to his beginnings in the 1950s.

Highlighting Jones’ prolific output, the program features selections from his big band recordings, among them The Quintessence (1962), which exemplify his innovative approach to jazz orchestration. Also featured are some of Jones’ masterful arrangements for legendary singers such as Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan, including his collaboration on Vaughan and Violins (1959), in which Jones' orchestration beautifully complements her vocal prowess. From Jones' contributions to film and television scoring, Pacific Jazz Orchestra performs themes from The Pawnbroker (1964) and In the Heat of the Night (1967), which illustrate his tremendous versatility and uncanny ability to convey complex emotions through music as well as his significant impact on the soundscape of American cinema.

Holley, a vocalist and vocal contractor, has been a member of the house band for NBC’s The Voice for more than ten seasons and also performed several seasons in the house band of American Idol. Her film credits include The Color Purple, The Eternals, Encanto, Coming 2 America, and Mulan. As a background singer, Holley has toured with Pink, Kelly Clarkson, St. Vincent, Robbie Williams, Selena Gomez, and Sheryl Crow, among others. As a vocal contractor, Holley assembles and hires singers for film and TV programs such as the Academy Awards, The Voice, American Idol, The Talk, and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Jackson, hailed for his smooth expressive vocals, is noted for his signature blend of R&B, soul, and jazz. He has toured and recorded with Toni Braxton, John Tess, Billy Griffin, David Foster, Charo, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder, Melissa Manchester, Kenneth “BabyFace” Edmunds, Macklemore, Carole Bayer Sager, Patti Austin, Marilyn McCoo, and Billy Davis Jr, to name a few. Jackson’s additional credits include national commercials for Mazda and Honda, and several others that have aired during The Super Bowl. The Detroit native, who began singing in church at the age of three, relocated to Los Angeles after college to launch his vocal career.

Pacific Jazz Orchestra transcends genres to present a vibrant array of musical styles. Its performances take place across select Southern California venues, showcasing the city’s rich cultural and musical diversity. Pacific Jazz Orchestra has garnered critical acclaim for thrilling performances that “entertain, inspire, and enrich” (Variety).