Andris Mattson of Moonchild remixes Sara Gazarek’s “Cocoon”
Andris Mattson (BM ’13), Jazz Studies alum and one third of neo-R&B trio Moonchild, recently released a remix of Björk’s “Cocoon” performed by Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek, skillfully merging faculty and alumni talent. Though Mattson primarily performs with Moonchild, a band of Jazz Studies alumni, he also releases music independently. Gazarek originally recorded… Continue reading Andris Mattson of Moonchild remixes Sara Gazarek’s “Cocoon”
Moonchild makes NPR Tiny Desk debut
USC Thornton alumni trio Moonchild made their debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk series this week, performing two songs from their new album, Little Ghost, and one from their previous album, Voyager. With their unique blend of soul, jazz and R&B, the group pulled out all the stops for their set, bringing in additional percussion and… Continue reading Moonchild makes NPR Tiny Desk debut
Armen Movsesyan announced as semi-finalist in International Guitar Competition
Studio Guitar alum Armen Movsesyan (BM ’15) has been announced as a semi-finalist in the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition. Movsesyan and 11 other guitarists will compete in the semifinals on Dec. 2 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Three finalists will be selected to compete at the Kennedy… Continue reading Armen Movsesyan announced as semi-finalist in International Guitar Competition
Jazz Studies student receives Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award
Jazz Studies student Spencer Lemann has received the Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Los Angeles Chapter. Lemann will be recognized for his work with Music Mends Minds, a nonprofit that creates musical support groups for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Lemann has volunteered with Music Mends Minds since its founding… Continue reading Jazz Studies student receives Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award
Andrew Harrison selected as Beverly Hills National Audition winner
USC Thornton alum and saxophonist Andrew Harrison (DMA ’15) was recently selected as a 2019-2020 Beverly Hills National Audition winner. Performers are awarded annually, and subsequently perform monthly in various concert series to celebrate and showcase their selection. After a recent installment of the concert series The Interludes, Harrison received a glowing review in the… Continue reading Andrew Harrison selected as Beverly Hills National Audition winner
USC Thornton faculty and alumni enter GRAMMY Award consideration
A number of Thornton faculty and alumni have entered consideration for GRAMMY award nominations. Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek’s album Thirsty Ghost is up for consideration in multiple categories including Best Jazz Vocal Album. Alumnus Gernot Wolfgang’s (GCRT ’94) chamber music album, Vienna and the West, was entered in the Best Classical Compendium category.… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty and alumni enter GRAMMY Award consideration
Patrice Rushen returns to Monterey Jazz Festival with Christian McBride Situation
Patrice Rushen, chair of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, was recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle ahead of her return to the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 27 with the Christian McBride Situation. Rushen first performed at the festival as a senior in high school in 1972, when she led her combo to… Continue reading Patrice Rushen returns to Monterey Jazz Festival with Christian McBride Situation
Daedelus to release new album, the Bittereinders, on Brainfeeder
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (’00), widely known as Daedelus, will release a new album on Sept. 20. The Bittereinders will close out his End of Empire musical trilogy, which also includes Righteous Fists of Harmony (2010) and The Light Brigade (2014). Like the previous installments of his trilogy, The Bittereinders is inspired… Continue reading Daedelus to release new album, the Bittereinders, on Brainfeeder
Moonchild follows album release with national tour
Moonchild, a Los Angeles based neo-R&B triad, will set off on a national tour this fall for their recent album Little Ghost, which was released on Sept. 6. Jazz Studies alumni Amber Navran (’12), Max Bryk (’11) and Andris Mattson (’13) formed Moonchild in 2012 and have released several projects since. Moonchild will kick off… Continue reading Moonchild follows album release with national tour
USC Thornton students to perform at KAABOO Festival
USC Thornton Popular Music students Marshall Via (’21) and Shane Cronin (’22) will perform at the KAABOO Del Mar festival on Sat., Sept 14 with their band, Sir, Please. Their performance, part of the festival’s Amplify (VIP) lineup, will feature a horn section of current students from the Jazz Studies program: Sam Shapiro (’21), Gray… Continue reading USC Thornton students to perform at KAABOO Festival