Alan Pasqua is a Steinway Piano artist, Grammy Nominee and Professor of Jazz Studies at USC Thornton School of Music.
He has played and recorded with Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sheila Jordan and Joe Williams.
While performing a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1975, Pasqua met the legendary drummer Tony Williams. Pasqua was asked to join The New Tony Williams Lifetime along with guitarist Allan Holdsworth. After recording two “Lifetime” albums for Columbia Records, Pasqua relocated in Los Angeles. His career in L.A. broadened as he started playing with more rock and pop artists. He has been a member of the bands of Bob Dylan and Santana. Some of his other pop album credits include: Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John and Queen Latifa. In addition, he has worked with composers John Williams, Quincy Jones, Dave Grusin, Jerry Goldsmith and Henry Mancini and on motion picture soundtracks. Alan composed the soundtrack for Adam Sandler’s Disney hit movie, The Waterboy, and is the co- composer for the CBS Evening News Theme during the Dan Rather, Scott Pelley and current Nora O’Donnell tenures.
He also recently composed and performed the piano improvisations for Bob Dylan and his Nobel Prize acceptance speech.
Aside from his many critically acclaimed recordings as a leader in jazz, in 2008, Pasqua joined forces with Peter Erskine and Dave Carpenter, arranging, co-producing and playing on the Grammy Award nominated trio album “Standards”. His recent releases are “Twin Bill” (BFM JAZZ) and “Northern Lights”. “Twin Bill” features Pasqua recorded on two pianos, playing the music of Bill Evans. “Northern Lights” is a new set of Pasqua original compositions, exploring his roots in classical, pop and jazz idioms. Both CDs have received critical praise from DOWNBEAT with 4 star reviews. His newer releases, “Soliloquy” and “Day Dream” are solo piano recordings of Alan’s favorite standards recorded on his own Hamburg Steinway concert grand piano.
Most recently, Alan teamed up again with Peter Erskine and Darek Oles to produce the 2022 Grammy nominated recording, “Live in Italy” and also added George Garzone to the trio to record “3 Nights in L.A.” The quartet will perform throughout Italy, July/August 2023.
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[…] About Peter Erskine Quartet: Peter Erskine: Peter Erskine has played the drums since the age of four and is known for his versatility and love of working in different musical contexts. He appears on 700 albums and film scores, and has won two Grammy Awards, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music (1992). Fifty albums have been released under his own name or as co-leader. He has played with the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson Big Bands, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny and Gary Burton, John Scofield, et al, and has appeared as a soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Frankfurt Radio, Scottish Chamber, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Royal Opera House, BBC Symphony, Oslo and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. Peter is Professor of Practice and Director of Drumset Studies at the Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California. Learn more. Bob Mintzer: Bob Mintzer is a saxophonist / arranger / educator who resides in Los Angeles. He currently holds the Barbara and Buzz McCoy endowed chair at the USC Thornton School of Music. Bob is a 30-year member as saxophonist with the Yellowjackets. He is also the chief conductor of the WDR Big Band in Cologne Germany. Bob has written over 500 big band arrangements, several jazz study books, orchestral and chamber works. He has played on over 1000 recordings and has performed with Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones Mel Lewis Big Band, Eddie Palmieri, Jaco Pastorius, Mike Manieri, Randy Brecker, and the New York Philharmonic. Learn more. Alan Pasqua: Alan Pasqua is a Steinway Piano artist, Grammy® Nominee and Professor of Jazz Studies at USC Thornton School of Music. He has played and recorded with Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sheila Jordan and Joe Williams. Learn more. […]