Bob Mintzer releases educational big band app, produced by Peter Erskine
Bob Mintzer, chair of the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, has released a new educational app for iOS devices called the Mintzr Big Band Essentials Play-Along. Produced by Thornton’s director of drumset studies, Peter Erskine, the app features ten of Mintzer’s own compositions performed by many of the area’s leading jazz musicians, including faculty members… Continue reading Bob Mintzer releases educational big band app, produced by Peter Erskine
Oscar nominations for Thomas Newman and John Williams
Two members of the USC Thornton family have received Academy Award nominations in the category of “Best Music – Original Score.” Composer and Board of Councilors member Thomas Newman received his nomination for the score to “Bridge of Spies.” In the same category, Thornton collaborator and honorary alumnus John Williams was nominated for “Star Wars:… Continue reading Oscar nominations for Thomas Newman and John Williams
New Jazz @ USC Thornton
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MUNA’s “Loudspeaker” at #1 on list of 50 best songs of 2015
The band MUNA, which was formed by USC Thornton Popular Music graduate Katie Gavin (BA ’15), current student Josette Maskin (BM ’16), along with Naomi McPherson, took the top spot in ShortList‘s “50 Best Songs of 2015.” The annual rundown, which highlights the publication’s favorite tracks from “big, small, old and new artists alike,” praised… Continue reading MUNA’s “Loudspeaker” at #1 on list of 50 best songs of 2015
Peter Erskine emerges as “Dr. Um” in new album release
Peter Erskine, director of Drumset Studies at USC Thornton, will release a new jazz fusion album, under the moniker of “Dr. Um,” this week. The album, which embraces the sound worlds that Erskine first created with the Weather Report and Steps Ahead, also features performances by Jazz Studies faculty members Bob Sheppard (saxophone), Aaron Serfaty… Continue reading Peter Erskine emerges as “Dr. Um” in new album release
Four stars for Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project with rapper Ice-T
The Langston Hughes Project, an ongoing series of music, artworks and performances by trumpeter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies professor Ron McCurdy, received rave reviews for its European premiere at the Barbican Theatre in London last month. The project realizes the late poet Langston Hughes’ ambitions to create a jazz accompaniment to his 1961 poem,… Continue reading Four stars for Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project with rapper Ice-T
Sérgio Mendes and band bring USC Thornton students to their feet
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Thornton students and alums give MAX’s “Gibberish” an orchestral edge
MAX, a rising star in popular music, featured a cast comprised almost exclusively of USC Thornton student musicians in a video for his newest single, “Gibberish.” In addition to the many Thornton students performing in the video, the orchestral arrangement is the result of a collaboration between MAX and Zi Zhu Zhao (MM ’16, piano),… Continue reading Thornton students and alums give MAX’s “Gibberish” an orchestral edge
USC Thornton ranks high on Hollywood Reporter’s list of top music schools
The Hollywood Reporter recently profiled USC Thornton on its list of the “Top 25 Music Schools of 2015,” ranking the school at number three. The profile noted that Thornton’s proximity to Los Angeles’ film and music industries fosters unparalleled opportunities for graduates of the school’s Contemporary Music Division, particularly in programs such as Music Industry,… Continue reading USC Thornton ranks high on Hollywood Reporter’s list of top music schools
SMPTV alum Ramesh Kumar Kannan and faculty Bruce Broughton nominated for awards
A score by Ramesh Kumar Kannan (GCRT ’13), alumnus of the USC Thornton Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television (SMPTV) program, for the independent film Labyrinth, has been nominated for the Hollywood Music in Media awards. SMTPV faculty member Bruce Broughton was also nominated for the score for the series Texas Rising, which he co-wrote… Continue reading SMPTV alum Ramesh Kumar Kannan and faculty Bruce Broughton nominated for awards