Alumni perform with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Fugees in Los Angeles
On Nov. 4-5, USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Jordan DeTiege (’22) and Strings alumna Karoline Menezes (MM ’15, GCRT ’17) performed in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour with Ms. Lauryn Hill and the Fugees. DeTeige played saxophone as a member of the brass ensemble, The Regiment Horns, while Menezes played violin as… Continue reading Alumni perform with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Fugees in Los Angeles
Luciana Souza featured in November 2023 issue of DownBeat Magazine
USC Thornton Jazz Studies faculty member Luciana Souza was on the cover of DownBeat Magazine for their November 2023 issue. In this issue, the Brazil-born, Los Angeles-based jazz singer discussed her collaboration with the renowned Trio Corrente on her new album, Cometa. Photo courtesy of Luciana Souza.
Paul Cornish wins third place at Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Paul Cornish (‘18) won third place in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition, which took place on October 15 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City. Cornish, a recent graduate of the Institute, earned a $10,000 cash prize as one of three finalists.… Continue reading Paul Cornish wins third place at Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition
Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
USC Thornton Board of Councilors Chair Gregg Field was featured in a new CBS Sunday Morning segment on the late composer Henry Mancini. Field discussed the fame of Mancini’s film and television music, such as the ubiquitous “Pink Panther Theme” and “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The segment included a recording session of his… Continue reading Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
Saxophonist Simon Hwang wins 2023 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition
Simon Hwang, a double major in Jazz Studies at USC Thornton and Business Administration at USC Dornsife, was selected as a winner of the 2023 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition. Presented by Yamaha Corporation of America, the YYPA Competition recognizes young musicians who study and excel in the jazz, classical and contemporary genres. The… Continue reading Saxophonist Simon Hwang wins 2023 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition
Jazz pianist Donald Vega featured in Trojan Family Magazine
Jazz pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Donald Vega (’99) was featured in the Summer 2023 issue of Trojan Family Magazine. He discussed studying classical piano in Nicaragua, emigrating to the United States and finding community at USC. Vega is a Jazz Studies faculty member at The Juilliard School. He is preparing to release an album… Continue reading Jazz pianist Donald Vega featured in Trojan Family Magazine
Luciana Souza
Luciana Souza was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1966. Souza grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators—her father, a singer and songwriter, her mother, a poet and lyricist. Her work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music and an enlightened… Continue reading Luciana Souza
Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance welcomes Ambrose Akinmusire as artistic director
Celebrated trumpeter, composer and USC Thornton Jazz Studies department alumnus Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) was named artistic director of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance. A graduate of the esteemed music education program, Akinmusire will return to lead the next generation of jazz artists. Founded in 1995, the Institute was previously known as the… Continue reading Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance welcomes Ambrose Akinmusire as artistic director
Ennis Harris receives ISJAC/USF Prize for Emerging Black Composers
USC Thornton Jazz Studies DMA candidate Ennis Harris has been selected as the 2023 winner of the ISJAC/USF Prize for Emerging Black Composers. His song, “Eye in the Sky,” was performed by the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra. The award is given to young, up-and-coming composers of color through a partnership between the International Society of… Continue reading Ennis Harris receives ISJAC/USF Prize for Emerging Black Composers
2022-2023 Year in Review
Looking back on a remarkable year at USC Thornton.