Alan Pasqua is a jazz pianist, educator and composer who 

co-composed the CBS Evening News theme. He also has 

had an extensive career in pop and rock music, most notably 

as a founding member, keyboardist and songwriter of the 80s

hard rock band, Giant. His latest album Twin Bill, released on 

October 20, 2011, has been recently nominated a 

Grammy award.

 

Founded in 1982 by Pancho Romero, the 17-member Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra (AJO) has been delighting audiences throughout the Southwest for nearly thirty years. For many years under the leadership of trombonist John Sanks, the band has had the opportunity to perform for an impressive list of guest artists, including Pete Christlieb, Jim Pugh, Scott Wendholt, John Fedchock, Wayne Bergeron, Butch Miles and jazz trumpet legend and Albuquerque native Bobby Shew, who served as the Musical Director of AJO from 2007 to 2010. Recently the AJO was honored to be a part of the 2010 New Mexico Jazz Festival, performing the music of Toshiko Akyioshi with Ms. Akyioshi conducting and Lew Tabackin as featured soloist.

 

The personnel in the AJO features professional and semi-professional musicians, and public school and university educators:Glenn Kostur, Eric Lau, Lee Taylor, Diantha Swoboda, Paul Blakey, woodwinds; Derek Warren, Brad Dubbs, Henry Estrada, Kent Erickson, Bruce Dalby, trumpets; John Sanks, Christian Pincock, Larry Wheeler, Bill Austell, trombones; Chris Ishee, piano; and Colin Deuble, bass.