Alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry receives Tony nomination for featured role in “Hamilton”
Singer, actress, and USC Thornton alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97, jazz studies) has been nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Angelica Schuyler Church in the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton. The production, which is nominated for a record 16 Tony Awards, has received rapturous acclaim from critics and audiences, alike. Goldsberry has… Continue reading Alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry receives Tony nomination for featured role in “Hamilton”
Paul Cornish and Henry Solomon win Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program
Jazz pianist Paul Cornish (BM ’18, jazz studies) and saxophonist Henry Solomon (BM ’17, jazz studies), both students in USC Thornton’s Jazz Studies program, were named as winners of the 2016 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program, which recognizes exceptional young classical, jazz and contemporary musicians from around the world. Solomon, Cornish, and seven other winning… Continue reading Paul Cornish and Henry Solomon win Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program
Daedelus and Kneebody profiled in the Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal recently profiled USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (BA ’00 in Music), known professionally as Daedelus, and his role in the jazz sextet Kneedelus, which performed at the Echoplex last week. Darlington, who began experimenting in electronic music while at Thornton, took on the persona of Daedulus as he produced… Continue reading Daedelus and Kneebody profiled in the Wall Street Journal
Daily Trojan explores Music@RushHour series with Mak Grgić
The Daily Trojan, USC’s student-run newspaper, profiled USC Thornton’s weekly Music@RushHour concert series in their February 25th issue. The regular Wednesday concerts, which are coordinated by Classical Guitar doctoral candidate Mak Grgić (pictured), aim to provide a relaxing and engaging respite to USC students, faculty, and staff, who might otherwise by struggling through rush hour… Continue reading Daily Trojan explores Music@RushHour series with Mak Grgić
Peter Erskine talks with “Music Radar” about his new album
Peter Erskine, legendary jazz drummer and director of Drumset Studies at USC Thornton, was interviewed at length by Music Radar about his recently-released album, Dr. Um. The album, which features performances by numerous Thornton faculty and alumni, marks Erskine’s return to an electric jazz drumming style that defined his early career. In the interview, Erskine… Continue reading Peter Erskine talks with “Music Radar” about his new album
Rave review for jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire
Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07, jazz studies), former USC Thornton faculty member and an alumnus, received praise for his recent performance at Chicago’s Constellation club. Akinmusire headlined alongside a quartet of musicians who, according to reviewer Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune, “drew the largest crowd” seen at the venue in recent years. The Tribune… Continue reading Rave review for jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire
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
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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