Luca Mendoza and USC Thornton jazz ensembles win in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards

The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, the Thornton Monday Night Band, and undergraduate pianist and composer Luca Mendoza were winners in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards. The awards will be published in DownBeat’s June issue.

The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, led by Bob Mintzer, won in the category Large Jazz Ensemble for Graduate College Outstanding Performances. The Thornton Monday Night Band, led by Vince Mendoza, won in the category of Small Jazz Combo for Graduate College Outstanding Performance. And undergraduate Luca Mendoza, a pianist and composer, won two awards including in the category of Original Composition – Small Ensemble for his piece “Contract.” Additionally, Mendoza was a co-winner in the undergraduate category of Jazz Soloist. Congratulations to all.