Peter Esrkine featured on the cover of “JAZZed” magazine
“One of the most celebrated jazz drummers of the past half century,” Peter Erskine, USC Thornton Jazz Studies professor and director of Drumset Studies, was featured as the cover story for the October issue of JAZZed magazine, one of the premier resources for jazz educators and music education advocacy for the past decade. In the… Continue reading Peter Esrkine featured on the cover of “JAZZed” magazine
Scott Jeppesen releases second album with help from jazz alumni, faculty
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus and DMA candidate, Scott Jeppesen (MM ’08), celebrates the release of his second album, “Wonders,” which features original compositions that were inspired by the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The recording includes Jeppesen and fellow Thornton alumni Larry Koonse (’84, jazz) on guitar and Dan Schnelle (’05, jazz) on… Continue reading Scott Jeppesen releases second album with help from jazz alumni, faculty
Ron McCurdy to join Ice-T in London for the Langston Hughes Project
Ron McCurdy, professor of Jazz Studies at USC Thornton, headlines with rapper Ice-T later this month at the Barbican concert venue in London (UK) as part of the Langston Hughes Project. Together, they present a realization of poet Langston Hughes’ creative masterpiece, Ask Your Mama, the work of a major figure in African-American cultural history… Continue reading Ron McCurdy to join Ice-T in London for the Langston Hughes Project
Bob Mintzer releases 20th big band album
Bob Mintzer, chair of the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, saxophonist and a respected, GRAMMY-winning bandleader, has released “Get Up!,” his twentieth big band album to date. The R&B influenced album, recorded live at the Manchester Craftsmen Guild in Pittsburgh, features four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, guitar, piano, bass and drums, including performances by… Continue reading Bob Mintzer releases 20th big band album
Pat Kelley headlines first annual Chet Baker Festival
Pat Kelley, senior lecturer in USC Thornton’s Studio Guitar program, headlined at the first annual Chet Baker Jazz Festival on October 10, 2015. The event was held in Yale, Oklahoma, the birthplace of the renowned jazz trumpeter and vocalist. Kelley and his trio performed in one of several concerts honoring Baker’s musical legacy.
Jazz alumnus featured guest on Jazz Access podcast
Trumpeter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Walt Simonsen (MM ’06, DMA ’10) was a featured guest on the Jazz Access podcast, on which he talked about the experience of being a professional jazz musician in Los Angeles and reflected about his time at USC. Simonsen leads a trumpet quintet called Trumpetology, which will release… Continue reading Jazz alumnus featured guest on Jazz Access podcast
Jazz Studies faculty pay tribute to Jaco Pastorius at Hollywood Bowl
Several USC Thornton Jazz Studies faculty members performed on stage at the Hollywood Bowl on August 12, 2015, as part of a tribute to the late electric-bass legend, Jaco Pastorius. Among the many esteemed featured musicians were Peter Erskine, director of USC Thornton Drumset Studies, Bob Mintzer, chair of the Jazz Studies program, and saxophonist… Continue reading Jazz Studies faculty pay tribute to Jaco Pastorius at Hollywood Bowl
Jazz alumna Kait Dunton releases new album with trioKAIT
Jazz pianist and composer Kait Dunton (DMA ’13), an alumna of the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, will release a new album with her ensemble, trioKAIT. The group includes fellow alumnus Jake Reed (MM ’10, DMA ’13, Jazz Studies) on drums, as well as electric bassist Cooper Appelt. Dunton has previously released two albums of… Continue reading Jazz alumna Kait Dunton releases new album with trioKAIT
Alumni and faculty receive EMMY nominations for outstanding film scoring
USC Thornton alumni and faculty have been honored with EMMY Award nominations. Duncan Thum (BA ’06, Guitar, GCRT ’13, SMPTV) has been nominated for Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) for the documentary series “Chef’s Table.” Several other alumni, including composers Tyler Sabbag (BS ’05, Jazz Studies) and Steve Gernes (GCRT ’13,… Continue reading Alumni and faculty receive EMMY nominations for outstanding film scoring
SoCal VoCals a cappella group wins fourth international championship in New York City
The premiere USC a cappella group, SoCal VoCals, recently won first place at the 2015 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, or the I.C.C.A., in New York City. This was the fourth time that the group has taken the title, following wins in 2008, 2010 and 2012. The SoCal VoCals’ 2015 I.C.C.A. triumph was documented… Continue reading SoCal VoCals a cappella group wins fourth international championship in New York City