Katie Thiroux
Following her prodigious beginnings on bass at age 8 and studies under renowned vocalist Tierney Sutton at 12, Katie Thiroux was mentored by the legendary bassist John Clayton and was awarded a Phil Ramone Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music while gaining experience on the bandstand with artists including Terrell Safford, Terri Lyne Carrington,… Continue reading Katie Thiroux
Jon Hatamiya
Since first arriving to Los Angeles in 2014, trombonist, composer and B.A.C. endorsing artist Jon Hatamiya has established himself as a go-to creative and improvising musician in L.A.’s vast music scene. Noted as one of the most promising trombonists to emerge from the Sacramento area, Hatamiya’s journey led him to New York and then Los… Continue reading Jon Hatamiya
Gretchen Parlato wins 2022 German Jazz Prize
USC Thornton alumna and GRAMMY-nominated composer and vocalist Gretchen Parlato recently won a German Jazz Prize for Vocal Album of the Year (International) at Deutscher Jazzpreis 2022 for her album Flor. The Deutscher Jazzpreis aims to highlight the diversity and creativity of the German jazz scene and honors exceptional, artistic and innovative achievements in a… Continue reading Gretchen Parlato wins 2022 German Jazz Prize
Henry Solomon performs with HAIM at the Hollywood Bowl
Saxophonist, composer, producer and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Henry Solomon (’18) performed with HAIM during their sold-out homecoming show at the Hollywood Bowl on May 1. Solomon is currently on tour with the band and was previously featured in the music video for their single “Summer Girl.” Earlier this year, he released an EP… Continue reading Henry Solomon performs with HAIM at the Hollywood Bowl
Thornton Jazz Studies Department students named winners at DownBeat’s 45th Annual Student Music Awards
Several USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department students won awards in DownBeat’s 45th annual Student Music Awards. These awards will be published in the June edition of DownBeat Magazine. The Michael Neufeld Quintet, led by USC Thornton faculty member Michael Stever, won in the category of asynchronous small jazz combo for undergraduate college outstanding performance. Trombonist,… Continue reading Thornton Jazz Studies Department students named winners at DownBeat’s 45th Annual Student Music Awards
Ennis Harris receives 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
Ennis Harris, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department, won a 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. This award is given to young jazz composers up to the age of 30 through a partnership between the ASCAP Foundation and The Herb Alpert Foundation. Each recipient is selected through a juried national… Continue reading Ennis Harris receives 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
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