“Fly Me to the Moon: A Tribute to Quincy Jones” at the Soraya in October

Quincy Jones was a household name for decades. Long before the global impact of Michael Jackson and the “We Are the World” charity-driven project, the musician/arranger/producer worked his way up, first from humble beginnings as a jazz trumpeter and then on to scoring films when Jones moved to Los Angeles. His lifelong impact is huge, and there is a long list of those whom he mentored along the way. Among those is GRAMMY Award-winning bandleader and arranger Chris Walden, who is also founder and artistic director of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra. The Soraya and Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s 17-piece big band pay homage to Jones in a concert that features his work onstage and onscreen and will transport us to his beginnings in the 1950s.

Three Soraya veterans will come together for the first time to honor a giant in the musical universe — Quincy Jones.

Chris Walden, founder of Pacific Jazz Orchestra, counted Jones among his friends and mentors. Jones and Walden share a special skill for arranging charts for a big band. For the upcoming October 18 concert, Walden will bring to the stage some of Jones’ original arrangements as well as musical highlights from his television and film scores. Vocalists Lisa Fischer and José James have been invited to join the celebration.

In a video interview, Walden and James reflect on Quincy Jones’s influence and plans for this upcoming concert event, Fly Me to the Moon: A Tribute to Quincy Jones.

Fly Me to the Moon

A Tribute to Quincy Jones

Featuring the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, with Special Guests Ms. Lisa Fischer and José James

Chris Walden, conductor

Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8PM

Purchase tickets here.

This is a Soraya Original Production and one of five 15th anniversary events.