Alan Pasqua

Kozo Suganuma, Robert Walter, Snarky Puppy and Allan Holdsworth

by Len Davis
January 15, 2023

Drummers Kozo Suganuma and Senri Kawaguchi. Funky sounds from Robert Walter and Snarky Puppy. Allan Holdsworth, Jimmy Haslip, Alan Pasqua and Chad Wackerman from Proto Cosmos, plus Virgil Donati, Alex Lofoco and CAB. Playlist Into The Night “War Elephant" from Into The Night (Arpeggio Musicl) 00:00 Robert Walter “Security" from Better Feathers (Royal Potato Family) 06:44 Snarky Puppy “Mean Green" from Empire Central (GroundUp) 13:29 Alan Holdsworth “Red Alert" from Proto Cosmos (Blue Canoe) 20:07 Alan Pasqua “Fast ...

Allan Holdsworth & Alan Pasqua: Proto-Cosmos

by Jim Worsley
December 19, 2022

If the song title “Proto-Cosmos" brings Tony Williams to mind then step to the front of the class. Alan Pasqua's tune is featured on the drummer's 1975 album, Believe It (Columbia). The record is considered by some to be the best fusion album of all time. In addition to Pasqua and bassist Tony Newton, a young British guitarist named Allan Holdsworth introduced himself to the masses. Fast forward to 2022 and it has been five and a half years since ...

Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Darek Oles: Live In Italy

by Jim Worsley
December 16, 2022

Pianist Alan Pasqua and drummer Peter Erskine have been playing together for over fifty years now. For over twenty years Darek Oles has completed the trio on double bass. While brilliant upper-echelon musicians in their own right, the magic that ensues in this trio is remarkable. Could playing together for so long, performing thousands of shows over the years lead to burnout or it becoming “old hat?" Not for these three true jazz cats. The conversations just get deeper, their ...

Matt Gordy: Be With Me

by Richard J Salvucci
February 10, 2022

There is an expression of high regard for playing, “in the tradition," which basically means, yeah, that is jazz, music of the highest order. Matt Gordy's “Be With Me" is particularly arresting because it is in the tradition, but neither a recreation nor an exercise in nostalgia. Everyone from Charlie Christian to Modern Jazz Quartet has played “Topsy" (1937) in one form or another. It lends itself to multiple blues changes and swing to boppish solos, all of ...

The Matt Gordy Jazz Tonite Sextet: Be With Me

by Jack Bowers
January 11, 2022

In 2006, drummer Matt Gordy heeded the mandate to “go west, young man," moving from Boston to Los Angeles, while he was still “young at heart," and quickly becoming a mainstay of the local scene, after years of success as a jazz and classical drummer in New England, and even with the Maracaibo, Venezuela, Symphony Orchestra, where he spent nine years as chief percussionist. After fifteen years gigging in Los Angeles, Gordy decided it was time to record his first ...

Jeff Ellwood: The Sounds Around The House

by Pierre Giroux
March 8, 2021

As a professional musician hoping to have a meaningful career, hiding one's light under a bushel, may not be the best way to recognizable success. Such might be the case for tenor saxophonist Jeff Ellwood. He may have fallen into the trap evinced by the Dave Frishberg ditty “I Want To Be A Sideman." But as the saying goes; “better late than never" as Ellwood released a self-produced debut, The Sounds Around The House. ...

Alan Pasqua: Day Dream

by Jim Worsley
March 6, 2021

When you hear that Alan Pasqua has put out a new record, the first thought--other than perhaps happiness--is what genre are we talking about? Pasqua has worn many hats in his career. To his credit, he looks quite fashionable in any of them. Maybe you think of fusion Pasqua, who mixed it up with the genre's finest, from Tony Williams to Allan Holdsworth. Perhaps it is the highest order of straight ahead jazz with the likes of Peter Erskine on ...

Alan Pasqua on Bill Evans

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
September 20, 2011

It takes a lot of courage for a pianist to take on Bill Evans. It requires even more courage for that pianist to overdub himself recording Evans' songs. After all, any pianist who would attempt such a thing would be asking for a ton of trouble. Evans fans are pretty particular, passionate and protective of the late pianist and have a low tolerance for intruders. Unless, of course, a pianist paying tribute to Evans actually pulled it off. Alan Pasqua ...
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Pianist/Composer Alan Pasqua Releases New Recording "Twin Bill" on BFM Jazz

Source: Two for the Show Media
September 13, 2011

The concept behind Twin Bill, Alan Pasqua's new album for BFM Jazz, is right there in the title—there's nothing ambiguous about it. “Bill Evans was my hero," says the artist, and, with that as a starting point, Pasqua has embraced a handful of pieces composed by or associated with the transformative jazz pianist, added in a rearranged traditional tune and an original, and topped it all off with an indisputable classic that ties the music in with the other love ...
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Fuzzy Music Release New Recording Titled "Standards 2 - Movie Music" with Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Darek Oles, and Alan Pasqua

Source: Two for the Show Media
January 18, 2011

Music is often spoken of as forming the soundtrack of our lives. Movie score music compounds the effect, marrying melody with image, the exponential power of 24 frames per second combined with soaring tunes and magical counterpoint to provide all of us who love the movies a powerful emotional and cultural reference point, time and again. And who doesn't love a good movie or song? These songs are standards in both the jazz and cinematic sense. Compiling any sort of ...
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Guitarist/Composer Wayne Brasel Releases New CD Titled "If You Would Dance" on Brajazz Records Featuring Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, and Tom Warrington

Source: Two for the Show Media
April 20, 2010

On If You Would Dance, jazz guitarist Wayne Brasel teams up with a top west coast rhythm section and records a beautiful CD of his own lyrical compositions. Wayne's friendship with world class drummer Peter Erskine goes back to when Peter was only 19 and touring around with the Stan Kenton big band. Over the years Wayne and Peter have kept in touch playing live in various settings and recording Wayne's 1995 trio record “ The Beatnik Walk". The other ...
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Allan Holdsworth / Alan Pasqua / Jimmy Haslip / Chad Wackerman - East Coast Tour

Source: All About Jazz
September 29, 2009

HOLDSWORTH PASQUA HASLIP WACKERMAN EAST COAST USA TOUR Allan Holdsworth guitar Alan Pasqua keyboards * (except January 26) Jimmy Haslip bass guitar Chad Wackerman drums Promoting the upcoming MoonJune Records' release Blues For Tony (double CD). Tour Schedule January 26 – Alexandria, VA (The Birchmere) (this show only: HOLDSWORTH HASLIP WACKERMAN) January 27 – ...
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Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Darek Oles Play in Red Carpet Jazz Series Upstairs at Vitello's Studio City

Source: All About Jazz
September 11, 2009

Peter plays with his current band with Alan Pasqua and Darek Oles. Whatta TRIO! Upstairs at Vitello's is becoming known as “one of LA's best listening rooms". This combination will present a stellar evening for music aficionados on Wednesday September 16, 2009 in Studio City. Reservations 818-769-0905 concert 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, Ca 91604. Peter Erskine began playing the drums at the age of four, and has now been at the forefront of world-class ...
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Alan Pasqua Renowned Pianist Appointed Chair USC Thornton School of Music Jazz Studies

Source: All About Jazz
July 17, 2009

Acclaimed Artists Saxophonist/Composer Bob Mintzer and Drummer Peter Erskine also Named to Jazz Faculty. USC Thornton introduces New Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Jazz.

Legendary jazz pianist Alan Pasqua has been appointed Chair of USC Thornton School of Musics illustrious jazz studies department. The announcement was made by Dr. Robert Cutietta, dean of the school, who also named two other internationally renowned artists to the jazz studies faculty: saxophonist/composer Bob Mintzer and drummer Peter Erskine.

Additionally, USC Thornton is introducing ...
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Marcus Miller to Play with Bob Sheppard, Alan Pasqua, Bernie Dresel, and More...

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2009

MARCUS MILLER, ALAN PASQUA, BOB SHEPPARD, BERNIE DRESEL, CHRIS TEDESCO, BOB MCCHESENEY, MATT HARRIS, SCOTT WHITFIELD AT THE HW JAZZ FESTIVAL Eight world-renowned jazz musicians will be playing together one time only at the 4th Annual Harvard Westlake Jazz Festival on April 18th. The “All Star Combo” will have Marcus Miller on bass, Bob Sheppard on sax, Bernie Dresel on drums, Alan Pasqua on piano, Chris Tedesco on trumpet, Bob McCheseney on trombone, Matt Harris and Scott Whitfield playing at ...
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Allan Holdsworth & Alan Pasqua - Live at Yoshi's DVD - Avalable 04/15/08

Source: All About Jazz
March 9, 2008

Captured live in HD at Yoshi's (2007), this incredible DVD features four of the world's most proficient jazz musicians today. Description: This DVD is a must have for any Jazz aficionado. With an approximate run time of 90 minutes, every song from this incredible tour is featured. Touring worldwide in 2007, this ensemble is a must see. Captured live in HD at Yoshi's, this incredible DVD features four of the world's most proficient jazz musicians today. Allan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua, ...
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Keyboardist Alan Pasqua Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
February 18, 2008

Any discussion of Alan Pasqua must start with at the scintillating beginning of his official discography. His first recorded performance featured the then 23-year-old wunderkind of Fender Rhodes on The New Tony Williams Lifetime's Believe It (Columbia, 1975). His first sounds committed to wax were texturized Rhodes thickening “Snake Oil," then shadowing its serpentine melody as stated by Allan Holdsworth, a guitarist seemingly stolen from the future by the unit's provocative leader, the now-legendary Williams. At that time, the drummer ...
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