From the time Al was 15 years old he knew that he wanted to be a musician..pianist. Growing up as a military dependent, Al and his family traveled from base to base (New Jersey to Japan) getting acquainted with the people or culture, whichever came first and soaking up the sounds that was around him, to inspire what he transpired onto the keyboard.
By the late 60s Al and his family returned home to Oahu, Hawaii where Al started to play in the local military clubs before he was old enough to drink, and drew a crowd everywhere Al and his band performed. Seeing the response that he got at that early age solidified what Al’s calling was. By the late 70’s Al was starting a buzz for his style of Fusion Jazz. At that time Al started a band by the name of Music Magic that was heavily influenced at the time by Earth Wind and Fire, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea to name a few, and released their first album under an Indy label. Music Magic caught on to the local scene very quick and opened up for many known acts that had a scheduled tour date in the islands such as the Average White Band, Chaka Khan and Bob James. Music Magic also had the number 1 single on the radio at the time called “One Man Lady†and in that same year had the island and local scene by storm playing to sold out crowds for locals and tourists every night. It seemed that Al had hit his stride but due to creative differences Music Magic went there separate ways by the end of the second album.
With the break up of Music Magic Al was not going to stop his quest to be that jazz pianist/composer in the industry and decided to move his talents to Los Angeles to expand his abilities and make a bigger name for him. Al started to play in different clubs in Los Angeles which caught the attention of different industry folks around town. At that time he met a hip-hop production team by the name of The Arsonists which comprised of Meech Wells and Def Jef. They saw the talent that Al had and wanted him to be their session player for a lot of the tracks they were doing at the time for different artists/labels. This is what Al was looking for and started to play on different records laying down tracks for Teddy Pendergrass, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Babyface, Lisa Stansfield, Patti Labelle and The Wells. Although Al enjoyed playing on other artist’s music, it was time for him to focus on creating his own sounds and material.
Time had past and while Al was creating his work of art in his studio, Al’s oldest son Ray “Ray-Ray†Pascua needed his father’s production help in the hip-hop, R&B and Film/TV side. They then collaborated on different tracks and quickly found out that there was a new found bond with each other communicating through music. This sparked a whole new love for what Al was blessed to do. Ray “Ray-Ray†Pascua is now following in Al’s footsteps and making a name for him along with creating a new name for his father. Ray “Ray-Ray†Pascua along with his good friend and business partner Jeremiah “Jay Cathey†Cathey started a record label in France called Globe Trotta Records and without hesitation signed Al to the Indy label along with a promise from Ray which was to handle his father’s business affairs and for Al to continue on his dream to be the best he can be playing, creating and soon release a long awaited album for the whole world to hear!
This is Al’s time to be heard, felt, understood and appreciated creatively through his peers and new listeners. Follow Al through his sound scapes and let him explain to you through his songs on where he has been and where he is destined to go.
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