Shure

Alan Pasqua

• Artist Official Site

Born in New Jersey, Alan began studying piano at the age of seven, playing both classical and jazz. He attended Indiana University, and received his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory. His teachers at the time were Jaki Byard, Thad Jones, George Russell, David Baker and Gunther Schuller. While performing a concert at Carnegie Hall, Alan 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, Alan relocated in Los Angeles. His career in L.A. broadened, as he started playing with more rock and pop artists. He garnered a coveted spot in Bob Dylan’s band, and ultimately joined the band Santana. Some of his other album and touring credits include: Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Ry Cooder, Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, Elton John, Queen Latifa, Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach among others.

In addition, Alan has had an extensive studio career in L.A. He has worked with composers, John Williams, Quincy Jones, Dave Grusin, Jerry Goldsmith and Henry Mancini on many motion picture soundtracks. Also, Alan composed the soundtrack for Disney’s hit movie, The Waterboy, starring Adam Sandler.

In the jazz world, Alan is a highly regarded pianist and composer. His two CD releases, Milagro and Dedications on the Postcards Label hit the top of the jazz charts. All-stars Jack Dejohnette, Paul Motion, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker and Gary Bartz are featured on these recordings.

In addition, Pasqua has played and recorded with the likes of Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Eddie Daniels, Dave Weckl, Tom Scott, Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sam Rivers, Sheila Jordan, Joe Williams, Ivan Lins, Frank Foster, Alphonso Johnson, Narada Michael Walden, Les McCann, Stan Kenton, and Don Ellis.

Alan has been a co-leader of a trio with the legendary drummer Peter Erskine. The trio has released Live At Rocco, Badlands, and Standards. All the recordings have received critical acclaim, with “Standards” being nominated for a Grammy in the Best Jazz CD category of 2008.

Alan’s debut recording for the Cryptogramophone label entitled, My New Old Friend, reached #15 on the National Jazz Airplay charts and was highly praised. More recently, a new electric band recording, The Anti-Social Club, has been released. This CD features Nels Cline on guitar, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Alex Acuna playing percussion, Scott Amendola on drums, Jeff Ellwood on saxophones and Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet.

Alan has since teamed up with his former Tony Williams Lifetime band mate Allan Holdsworth, and is co-leading a quartet that will feature Jimmy Haslip and Chad Wackerman. A live HD DVD recording, Live at Yoshi’s  was released in the spring of 2007, and the follow up is a live CD from Europe, Blues For Tony, released in 2009.

Alan is also known for his contribution to jazz education. His published texts, “The Diminished Cycle”, and “The Architecture of Music” are part of his teachings. He is currently an Associate Professor and Chairman of the Jazz Studies Department at The Thornton School of Music, The University of Southern California in Los Angeles.