Bob Sheppard’s “The Fine Line” named album of the week
WRTI, a radio station in Philadelphia, recently named USC Thornton faculty member and saxophonist Bob Sheppard’s The Fine Line the jazz album of the week. The album, Sheppard’s fifth as a leader, features an eclectic range of tracks where the musician showcases his versatility by performing both tenor and soprano saxophone as well as on… Continue reading Bob Sheppard’s “The Fine Line” named album of the week
Jane Bushmaker named Director of Royalty Audits at international accounting firm
USC Thornton Music Industry alumna Jane Bushmaker (’06) has been named Prager Metis CPAs’ newest Director in the Royalty Audit & Contract Compliance Group. Bushmaker joins the international accounting firm after serving as Senior Manager of Digital Audits at Royalty Review Council. In the role, Bushmaker will utilize her extensive experience in conducting royalty examinations… Continue reading Jane Bushmaker named Director of Royalty Audits at international accounting firm
Louis Cole continues collaboration with Bob Mintzer’s WDR Big Band
USC Thornton alumnus Louis Cole (’09) and Genevieve Artadi, his partner in their celebrated electronic funk-pop band, Knower, have spent the summer collaborating with Bob Mintzer, chair of the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, and his WDR Big Band. They most recently got together to create a wonderful video of a big band arrangement Mintzer… Continue reading Louis Cole continues collaboration with Bob Mintzer’s WDR Big Band
Henry Solomon performs in new HAIM video
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Henry Solomon (’18) is featured prominently in the music video for HAIM’s new single, “Summer Girl,” that has surpassed over a million views in two days. Throughout the video, Solomon, who studied with Bob Mintzer while at USC Thornton, follows the Haim sisters, playing the saxophone, as they walk throughout… Continue reading Henry Solomon performs in new HAIM video
Patrice Rushen featured in New York Times
“We’re living in Patrice Rushen’s world. We just might not know it yet.” That is how the New York Times summed up the 40-year career of Patrice Rushen in a feature on the chair of the USC Thornton Popular Music program. The article went on to explain that Rushen succeeded in making impactful jazz music… Continue reading Patrice Rushen featured in New York Times
Billy Childs to join Berklee as visiting scholar
USC Thornton alumnus and celebrated jazz musician Billy Childs ’79 will serve as a visiting scholar at Berklee College of Music for the 2019-20 academic year. During his stint in Boston, Childs, a five-time GRAMMY award recipient, will teach jazz composition classes, coach a student ensemble and offer master classes.
Carly Rose profiled by LA Times
The LA Times recently profiled USC Thornton Music Industry student and pop singer Carly Rose. The article discusses Rose’s new “knockout” debut single, “Birds & Bees,” and the singer’s decision to circumvent traditional labels. Rose enjoys the freedom of being an independent artist and has teamed up Sean Lewow, who is also a USC Thornton… Continue reading Carly Rose profiled by LA Times
Ron McCurdy publishes essay in Wall Street Journal
USC Thornton Professor of Jazz Studies Ron McCurdy recently penned a fantastic essay on his father, Charles M. McCurdy, in the Wall Street Journal. Charles M. McCurdy was the principal of a mostly black high school in the rural town of Belle Glade, Florida for 15 years in the 1950s and 1960s. Although it was… Continue reading Ron McCurdy publishes essay in Wall Street Journal
Patrice Rushen to release compilation
On July 19, Patrice Rushen, Chair of USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, will release a new 15-track compilation, Remind Me: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978 – 1984, on Strut Records. The project will include all of the legendary R&B artist’s chart singles from that period, including “Forget Me Nots,” “Feels So Real,” and “Haven’t You… Continue reading Patrice Rushen to release compilation
Thornton alumni and faculty recognized by BMI at annual awards
At the 35th annual BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Awards, USC Thornton alumni and faculty were recognized as top performing composers. Ludwig Göransson (GC ’08) added to his long list of 2019 awards, which includes three GRAMMYs and an Oscar, and won an award for Venom and Creed II. Additionally, in the BMI Cable… Continue reading Thornton alumni and faculty recognized by BMI at annual awards