Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s Holiday Jazz Spectacular delivers a festive – yet sophisticated – evening of orchestral jazz magic brimming with holiday classics, jazz standards, and original arrangements. The 40-piece hybrid big band and string orchestra, led by seven-time GRAMMY-nominated arranger/composer Chris Walden, is joined by vocal sensations Brenna Whitaker, Sy Smith, and Billy Valentine. Whitaker’s vintage jazz charm, Smith’s genre-spanning versatility, and Valentine’s rich, soulful baritone add warmth and sparkle to the festivities.

Sy Smith, known as “the Queen of Underground Soul,” has carved out a unique place in the world of jazz, R&B, and funk with her powerhouse vocals. She has toured and recorded with artists Whitney Houston, Chris Botti, and Sheila E, among many others, and has released several acclaimed solo albums showcasing her smooth vocals and sophisticated artistry. Onstage, Smith captivates audiences with her radiant energy and effortless command of style and groove.

Brenna Whitaker is a Los Angeles-based singer celebrated for her glamorous, soulful, and “phenomenal” performances (Harper’s Bazaar) that channel the spirit of the Great American Songbook. A protégé of David Foster, Whitaker has performed around the world with artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, and Stevie Wonder. Blending vintage jazz, blues, and pop influences, her voice evokes the golden era of cabaret with a modern sensibility and heartfelt emotion.

Billy Valentine has enjoyed a career spanning film, television, and stage and collaborations across jazz, blues, and soul music. Highlights include opening for Roberta Flack, appearing in the first national touring company of The Wiz, singing lead vocals for Champions Forever, a documentary film about Ali, Frazier and Foreman, and providing the singing voice for the lead vocalist character in Robert Townsend’s film, The Five Heartbeats. Valentine’s singing can also be heard on the TV series Son’s of Anarchy and the theme song for Boston Legal. He appeared on stage at LA’s Geffen Theatre and San Diego Rep.