Ambrose Akinmusire and Gerald Clayton perform in NEA Jazz Masters ceremony
USC Thornton alumni Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) and Gerald Clayton (BM ’07) performed in the virtual edition of this year’s National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters ceremony. The virtual concert on August 20 honored Dorthaan Kirk, Bobby McFerrin, Roscoe Mitchell and Reggie Workman with a packed lineup of performances and speakers. Pianist Clayton performs… Continue reading Ambrose Akinmusire and Gerald Clayton perform in NEA Jazz Masters ceremony
Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ’84) and Screen Scoring faculty member Laura Karpman were recently quoted in a Variety article about the increase in the diversity of the Emmy Awards’ music categories. Abels and Karpman are both award-winning composers and founders of organizations that work to support underrepresented composers in film and television. Abels, who… Continue reading Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Jason Goldman releases “Hypnotized,” new EP of jazz arrangements
Jason Goldman, chair of the Jazz Studies program and a celebrated producer and arranger, has released a new EP, “Hypnotized,” featuring arrangements from the American Songbook and original songs in the same style. Known for his award-winning arrangements with singer Michael Bublé, Goldman, often known professionally as “Spicy G,” featured three exceptional vocalists: Erin Bentlage,… Continue reading Jason Goldman releases “Hypnotized,” new EP of jazz arrangements
The Darkroom partners with Billie Eilish’s family to fight food insecurity
The Darkroom, an Interscope Record imprint founded by Music Industry alum Justin Lubliner (BS ’12), has partnered with Billie Eilish’s mother Maggie Baird and other organizations to provide healthy meals to food insecure communities during the pandemic. The campaign was started by Baird’s organization Support + Feed, and has provided thousands of meals to families… Continue reading The Darkroom partners with Billie Eilish’s family to fight food insecurity
Jensen McRae featured on KCRW
Popular Music alum Jensen McRae (BM ’19) was recently featured on KCRW’s In Residence series, with the outlet describing McRae as “unquestionably one of KCRW’s favorite new artists of 2020.” In her interview, McRae talks about the music she’s currently writing and why visibility is important as a Black artist in the folk-rock genre. “Black… Continue reading Jensen McRae featured on KCRW
Tish Oney publishes Peggy Lee biography for icon’s centennial
Jazz Studies alum Tish Oney (DMA ’07) celebrated the 100th birthday of music icon Peggy Lee with the publication of her new biography, “Peggy Lee: A Century of Song,” released in July. Oney’s book focuses on Lee’s artistic development, cultural impact, musicianship, and legacy as a songwriter. Oney’s exploration of Peggy Lee’s legacy began as… Continue reading Tish Oney publishes Peggy Lee biography for icon’s centennial
Simon Hwang sets Cleopatra’s life to music
Simon Hwang, a double major in Jazz Studies at USC Thornton and Business Administration at USC Dornsife, took an unconventional approach to his final project for a general education course, foregoing a traditional term paper to create two new jazz compositions based on the life of Cleopatra. His cross-disciplinary project was recently highlighted in a… Continue reading Simon Hwang sets Cleopatra’s life to music
Laura Karpman scores HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”
Laura Karpman, an Emmy Award-winning composer and faculty member in the Screen Scoring program, was recently announced as one of the composers for HBO’s highly anticipated new horror series, “Lovecraft Country,” alongside Raphael Saadiq, with whom Karpman has scored multiple projects. As the pair created the score during the COVID-19 pandemic, Karpman and Saadiq utilized… Continue reading Laura Karpman scores HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”
Lindsay Wolfington offers career insights on music industry podcast
Music Industry faculty member Lindsay Wolfington recently appeared on the I Love Music podcast with colleague Laura Webb discussing her career as a music supervisor for film and television. Wolfington offers insights into the early influences that led her to a career in music supervision, how she got her start in the industry, and her… Continue reading Lindsay Wolfington offers career insights on music industry podcast
Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview
USC Thornton alum and GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Billy Childs (BM ’79) is set to release a new album on Aug. 28, and reflects on its influences in a recent JazzTimes interview. Childs reminisces on the artists and projects that have inspired his music, such as his time playing at World Stage, a historic art and… Continue reading Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview