The Drop: Rufus Wainwright & Chris Walden

The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to welcome GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Rufus Wainwright and Composer/Director of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra Chris Walden to the Museum’s intimate 200-seat Clive Davis Theater for a panel discussion discussing their new album I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill, out November 21, and a special live performance with an orchestral trio. 

ABOUT RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released ten studio albums to date, three DVDs, and three live albums including the GRAMMY® nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. He has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys, Heart, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robbie Williams, Jessye Norman, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, and producer Mark Ronson, among many others. He has written two operas and numerous songs for movies and TV. 

His 2020 GRAMMY® nominated studio album of original songs, Unfollow the Rules, finds Wainwright at the peak of his powers, entering artistic maturity with passion, honesty, and a new-found fearlessness. In 2023, he embarked on a journey to his family folk roots with his GRAMMY® nominated album Folkocracy featuring reinvented folk duets with artists like Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, John Legend and Anohni and many more. 

His first musical of John Cassavetes’ Opening Night for the West End with Ivo van Hove premiered at the Gielgud Theater in March 2024. During this time he also completed his Dream Requiem, which premiered with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in June of 2024 and featured Meryl Streep as the narrator. The recording of the performance was released via Warner Classics in January 2025, which was followed by the US premiere at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles featuring Jane Fonda as the narrator. Co-commissioners for the Dream Requiem are the Master Chorale in Los Angeles, the Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, the Helsinki Symphony Orchestra, the RTE Orchestra in Ireland, and the Royal Ballet London.

ABOUT CHRIS WALDEN

Chris Walden, artistic director and conductor of the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, is a 7-time GRAMMY-nominated composer/arranger, who has worked with Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Rihanna, Seal, Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Herb Alpert, and many more. He serves as lead arranger at the Oscars and has conducted the LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Metropole Orkest, Boston Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, WDR Big Band Cologne and many more.

ABOUT PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The Pacific Jazz Orchestra® (PJO) is Los Angeles’ premier 40-piece ensemble for jazz and beyond, redefining the orchestral jazz experience. With an annual concert season featuring five distinct projects and an impressive lineup of guest artists, the PJO transcends genres to present a vibrant array of musical styles. Performances take place across select LA venues, showcasing the city’s rich cultural and musical diversity.

As the only orchestra of its kind in the United States, the PJO epitomizes the spirit of jazz—America’s original art form—brought to life by the unmatched talent of LA’s finest musicians. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, the PJO boasts an advisory board that includes legends like David Foster, Quincy Jones, Monica Mancini, Alan Bergman, Rickey Minor, Harvey Mason Jr., and Ledisi.

ABOUT I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF – WAINWRIGHT DOES WEILL

Rufus Wainwright and the Pacific Jazz Orchestra’s I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Wainwright Does Weill is a compelling tribute album that delves into the rich and complex songbook of German-American composer Kurt Weill. Known for his theatrical flair and vocal prowess, Wainwright brings a unique interpretation to Weill’s compositions, which are celebrated for their fusion of classical, cabaret, and jazz elements. Premiering in May 2023 at New York City’s Café Carlyle, “Wainwright Does Weill” marked Wainwright’s first extensive exploration of Weill’s repertoire. Rufus Wainwright’s fascination with Kurt Weill’s music goes back for decades — in his early twenties he wore out the vinyl grooves of Teresa Stratas’ famous Weill album. While Weill‘s musical influence can be heard in Wainwright‘s own songs, he had never dedicated an entire evening to singing the German musician’s songs, until now. With the Pacific Jazz Orchestra under the baton of Chris Walden he has expanded the orchestral palette for his approach to Kurt Weill.

Rufus Wainwright’s Hooray for Hollydays benefit concert will take place on December 6 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, and will feature a variety of special guests including Beck, Lucy Dacus, Jordan Firstman, Jake Wesley Rogers, and more. Net proceeds from the show will go directly to Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project, a heartfelt collaboration that he established with Cancer Can Rock in memory of his mother to provide musicians fighting with rare cancer the opportunity to record and release music.

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Member Check – In: 6:30pm

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Show Time: 7:30pm

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BAG POLICY: please note that only bags 9 inches x 6 inches and smaller will be allowed for this event. Vinyl, memorabilia, gifts, etc. will also not be allowed inside the building.   

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