Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards
Multiple USC Thornton artists and alumni-founded ensembles were awarded San Francisco Classical Voice’s Audience Choice Awards for the 2019-2020 season. This year was the first-ever Audience Choice Awards with a category dedicated to celebrating the vibrant classical music scene in Los Angeles. HOCKET, the piano duo of alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and… Continue reading Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards
Rozzi Releases new single, “Best Friend Song”
USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Rozzi Crane (BM ’13), known professionally as Rozzi, released her new single “Best Friend Song” on August 14 with S-Curve Records. The song is a fun and lighthearted friendship anthem dedicated to her best friend Tatti. “Quarantine has made me realize how much I’ve taken friendship for granted. I hope… Continue reading Rozzi Releases new single, “Best Friend Song”
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
Ginny Luke
Ginny Luke, adjunct instructor in USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, is a dynamic violinist and vocalist. Equally as comfortable in concert halls as giant arenas, Luke has both performed internationally to millions of people across the globe and alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry as a powerhouse vocalist, violinist and bandleader.… Continue reading Ginny Luke
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