Nicole McCabe receives Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award from Los Angeles Jazz Society
Nicole McCabe, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department, is the 2022 recipient of the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award. As this year’s unanimously chosen winner, McCabe will compose and premiere a new suite of original music at the Angel City Jazz Festival.
Nicole McCabe Quintet takes home first place at international jazz festival
The Nicole McCabe Quintet won the twelfth edition of the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award. USC Thornton Jazz Department master’s student Nicole McCabe leads the group along with fellow classmates Marcello Carelli, Ethan Chilton, Sam Reid and Thornton alumnus Logan Kane (’19). McCabe also won the award for best non-conservatory student soloist. The Keep… Continue reading Nicole McCabe Quintet takes home first place at international jazz festival
JJ Kirkpatrick tours with Phoebe Bridgers
USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department alumnus J.J. Kirkpatrick (’14) heads out on tour with Phoebe Bridgers this April for her 2022 Reunion tour. Kirkpatrick toured with Bridgers last year and has previously toured with groups AJR and Brasstracks.
Ron McCurdy Quartet performs with Pacific Symphony
USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department faculty member and assistant dean of the justice, equity, diversity and inclusion committee Ron McCurdy and his quartet play with the Pacific Symphony on Feb. 27 in a multimedia concert performance of Langston Hughes’ jazz poem suite Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz. Directed by artistic leader and principal… Continue reading Ron McCurdy Quartet performs with Pacific Symphony
Marcello Carelli releases debut album
Marcello Carelli, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department, releases his debut album, The Era, on Feb. 11. The album is a culmination of Carelli’s first four years as a composer and features seven original compositions.
Gretchen Parlato joins the SFJAZZ Collective
GRAMMY-nominated vocalist and USC Thornton alum Gretchen Parlato (GCRT ‘03) recently joined the SFJAZZ Collective, an eight-person jazz ensemble and democratic composer’s workshop. She made her debut with the group, along with two other new members, at the SFJAZZ Center in late October. Parlato is the sole soloist amongst a band of instrumentalists, a situation… Continue reading Gretchen Parlato joins the SFJAZZ Collective
Jazz Studies faculty and alumni collaborated with Michael Bublé on chart-topping holiday album
This month, Michael Bublé’s tenth anniversary edition of Let It Snow! topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Charts. The album features arrangements by Thornton Jazz Studies Department Chair Jason Goldman (BM ’04) and features several Thornton alumni including pianist Alan Chang (BM ’02), trumpeter Bryan Lipps and drummer Robert Perkins (BM ’97, MM ’02). USC Thornton faculty… Continue reading Jazz Studies faculty and alumni collaborated with Michael Bublé on chart-topping holiday album
Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza honored at 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert
USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department faculty members Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza will be honored at the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert on December 4 at The Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Erskine will be recognized as the Tribute Honoree and Mendoza will receive the Composer/Arranger Award. This annual concert celebrates jazz… Continue reading Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza honored at 2021 Jazz Tribute Awards Concert
Olivia Morreale interviewed on American Songwriter’s “Bringin’ it Backwards” Podcast
USC Thornton alum Olivia Morreale (BM ‘18) was interviewed on American Songwriters’ podcast series “Bringin’ it Backwards.” In the episode, Morreale discussed her musical upbringing and how she started songwriting and collaborating with fellow alum Eli Koskoff (BM ’19, Jazz Studies) on her new EP, Space Dreams. The EP features four tracks and draws from… Continue reading Olivia Morreale interviewed on American Songwriter’s “Bringin’ it Backwards” Podcast
Ethan Chilton releases first full-length album, “The Planets”
Ethan Chilton (’20), a Jazz Studies alum and current Master’s student, released his first full-length album, “The Planets.”