Thornton Combo takes top prize at Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival

The USC Thornton Jazz Composers Collective recently took first place at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Under the direction of faculty member Vince Mendoza, the Composers Collective performed all original music and have been invited back for a special engagement at the Monterey Jazz Festival this coming September.

Thornton saxophonist and DMA candidate Ramsey Castaneda and undergraduate student Logan Kane both won Outstanding Soloist Awards in the College Combo Division.