säje awarded grand prize in John Lennon songwriting contest
Female vocal supergroup säje, which features Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek, was recently awarded the grand prize in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Their track “Wisteria” was the winner in the Folk category for Session II.
Vince Mendoza featured in JazzTimes
USC Thornton faculty member Vince Mendoza was featured in Jazz Times magazine about “Freedom Over Everything,” his latest album and debut on the new Modern Recordings label.
Renée Elise Goldsberry to co-star in Marvel’s “She-Hulk” series
Tony winner and Jazz Studies alum Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97) will be co-starring in Marvel’s new Disney+ series, “She-Hulk”.
Nick Stoubis awarded the Distinguished Faculty Service Award
Nick Stoubis, the Chair of the Studio Guitar program at USC Thornton, was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Service Award by the USC Academic Senate. The award honors faculty service to the University that is beyond normal research, administrative, clinical, and teaching responsibilities. The plaque that was part of the award given to Stoubis on Wednesday,… Continue reading Nick Stoubis awarded the Distinguished Faculty Service Award
Ambrose Akinmusire interviewed in Grammy.com article
Jazz Studies alum Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) was featured in an article for Grammy.com about jazz musicians pushing the genre into the future. The Grammy-nominated trumpeter is described as “A Pathfinder Through The Modern Avant-Garde” and is mentioned among four other pioneers in the field. In the piece, Akinmusire discussed how he considers social context… Continue reading Ambrose Akinmusire interviewed in Grammy.com article
Gretchen Parlato featured on cover of Jazzwise Magazine
The April 2021 issue of Jazzwise Magazine featured Thornton alumna and Grammy-nominated composer & vocalist Gretchen Parlato (GCRT ’03) as the cover story. The feature discusses the release of Parlato’s long-awaited and Brazilian-inspired new album, “Flor” on Edition Records. Parlato refers to the work as “a blossoming, an opening, an offering, a return.”
Luca Mendoza and Jon Hatamiya receive 2021 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
Luca Mendoza, a student in the Composition program, and trombonist Jon Hatamiya (’16, jazz studies) have been awarded the 2021 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. The award from the ASCAP Foundation and The Herb Alpert Foundation recognizes twenty young jazz musicians each year for their original compositions and arrangements. Each of the winners was… Continue reading Luca Mendoza and Jon Hatamiya receive 2021 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in television comedy “Girls5Eva”
Jazz Studies alumna and Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97) will star in the upcoming Peacock musical comedy “Girls5Eva.” The series, which is being executive produced by Tina Fey, Robert Carlock and Meredith Scardino, follows a former one-hit-wonder girl group from the ’90s who reunite only to find that each member is in… Continue reading Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in television comedy “Girls5Eva”
Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
The 63rd annual GRAMMY Awards, held virtually on Sunday, March 14, brought wins for faculty and alumni at USC Thornton. Celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alum and Judge Widney Professor at USC, won for Best Orchestral Performance for the San Francisco Symphony’s “Copland: Symphony No. 3.” And the many alumni and faculty who… Continue reading Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
Gretchen Parlato releases new album, Flor
USC Thornton alum and jazz vocalist Gretchen Parlato (GCRT ’03) released a new album on March 5, titled Flor. The album features several special guests, including fellow Thornton alum, pianist Gerald Clayton (BM ‘07). Parlato was interviewed by DownBeat Magazine about her journey from her 2014 album, Live In NYC, which earned her a GRAMMY… Continue reading Gretchen Parlato releases new album, Flor