USC Thornton students to perform at KAABOO Festival
USC Thornton Popular Music students Marshall Via (’21) and Shane Cronin (’22) will perform at the KAABOO Del Mar festival on Sat., Sept 14 with their band, Sir, Please. Their performance, part of the festival’s Amplify (VIP) lineup, will feature a horn section of current students from the Jazz Studies program: Sam Shapiro (’21), Gray… Continue reading USC Thornton students to perform at KAABOO Festival
Muna featured on NPR’s Morning Edition
Muna, the acclaimed band that formed while students in USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, were featured on NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss relationships and their ability to connect. NPR said: “The band’s latest album, Saves the World, is a shimmering homage to that cause.” “I’ve learned so much from them about intimacy, and what it… Continue reading Muna featured on NPR’s Morning Edition
Patrice Rushen featured in New York Times
“We’re living in Patrice Rushen’s world. We just might not know it yet.” That is how the New York Times summed up the 40-year career of Patrice Rushen in a feature on the chair of the USC Thornton Popular Music program. The article went on to explain that Rushen succeeded in making impactful jazz music… Continue reading Patrice Rushen featured in New York Times
Patrice Rushen to release compilation
On July 19, Patrice Rushen, Chair of USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, will release a new 15-track compilation, Remind Me: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978 – 1984, on Strut Records. The project will include all of the legendary R&B artist’s chart singles from that period, including “Forget Me Nots,” “Feels So Real,” and “Haven’t You… Continue reading Patrice Rushen to release compilation
USC Thornton represented in the top 24 of NBC’s “The Voice”
Two contestants who performed live in the round of 24 of NBC’s The Voice Monday night were–past and future–USC Thornton signers. Popular Music alumnus Jej Vinson ’18 punched his ticket into the final 13 with his performance of “Love Lives” by Khalid and Normani. Dominic Haynes, who deferred his admittance to USC Thornton to pursue… Continue reading USC Thornton represented in the top 24 of NBC’s “The Voice”
California Jazz Foundation honors Patrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen, chair of USC Thornton’s Popular Music Program, was awarded the prestigious Nica award by the California Jazz Foundation (CJF) earlier this month. The CJF bestows the honor to musicians who exemplify the legacy of Baroness Ponnica de Koenigswarter, a British-born jazz patron and writer who was a leader of bebop music. Robert Cutietta,… Continue reading California Jazz Foundation honors Patrice Rushen
USC Thornton musicians take the stage at the 2019 LA Times Festival of Books
Over 150,000 Angelenos will make their way to USC’s University Park campus this weekend for the annual LA Times Festival of Books. The two-day festival, taking place April 13-14, is a world-renowned gathering of writers, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians and emerging storytellers. As part of the programming, attendees will watch an impressive lineup of USC… Continue reading USC Thornton musicians take the stage at the 2019 LA Times Festival of Books
Elizabeth Gaba brings ‘American Idol’ judges to tears
On Sunday, Elizabeth Gaba, a second-year USC Thornton Popular Music student, earned a spot in the Hollywood round of ABC’s American Idol with her fantastic performance of Adele’s “All I Ask.” American Idol chronicled how the lives of Gaba and Amy Throckmorton, the woman who donated an egg for her birth, have changed since they… Continue reading Elizabeth Gaba brings ‘American Idol’ judges to tears
Patrice Rushen interviewed by Reverb
Reverb recently featured Patrice Rushen, Chair of the Popular Music program, in an article titled, “Mastery Over Marketing: An Interview With Patrice Rushen.” In this article, the pop music icon and Thornton faculty member discusses her love for piano, her relationship to Quincy Jones, her compositional style and what it means to be a contemporary… Continue reading Patrice Rushen interviewed by Reverb
LA Philharmonic Association to honor Ndugu Chancler
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will honor the late Ndugu Chancler, a former USC Thornton Jazz Studies and Popular Music faculty member, during the 41st annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, June 8-9. Hosted by George Lopez, the celebration of Chancler will be held with Patrice Rushen, Chair of Thornton’s Popular Music program,… Continue reading LA Philharmonic Association to honor Ndugu Chancler