Overview
With one of the first free-standing jazz studies departments in the nation, the USC Thornton School was one of the pioneers in the development of an academic curriculum dedicated to the only truly American musical art form. With a faculty second to none, the goal of the jazz studies department is to prepare talented young musicians for prominence in the professional performance arena. As a result, recent graduates have assumed prominent roles in jazz and popular music. It is no surprise to find that the USC Thornton jazz studies department ranks in the top three or four in the nation as enumerated by the major jazz periodicals.

Professional Ensembles
USC Thornton students and alumni perform as members of elite combos, studio bands, and big bands led by internationally-acclaimed artists and faculty.

Bob Mintzer Big Band
Andrew Boyle – student, drums
Erik Hughes – student, trombone
Jacob Kraft – student, trombone
Blake Martin - student, trumpet
Drake Smith – student, trombone
John Daversa – alumnus, trumpet
Vikram Devasthali - alumnus, trombone

Moonchild
Max Bryk - student, saxophone
Andris Mattson - student, trumpet
Amber Navran - student, vocals/saxophone

Bill Holman’s Big Band
Erik Hughes – student, trombone
Jake Reed – student, drums

Bruce Forman’s Cow Bop Band
Jake Reed – student, drums

Pinot Funk
Sam Brawner - alumnus, drums

Recording Artists
Ambrose Akinmusire - alumnus, trumpet (Bluenote Records)
Gerald Clayton - alumnus, piano (Decca Records)
Eldar Djangirov - alumnus, piano (Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.)
Taylor Eigsti - alumnus, piano (Concord Records)
Tigran Hamasyan - alumnus, piano (Universal Music Classics & Jazz France)

Television Shows and Studio Musicians
Erik Hughes – student, trombone
Drake Smith - student, trombone
Dan Weidlein - student, saxophone
David Benoit - alumnus, drums
Robert Schaer – alumnus, trumpet
Dan Schnelle - alumnus, drums
Matt Slocum - alumnus, drums
Jamie Tate - alumnus, drums

Degrees Offered
BM, MM, DMA, Graduate Certificate

Curriculum Requirements
The BM in Jazz Studies is a four-year, 132-unit program, consisting of courses in the major, including individual instruction, theory, history, ensembles, and related topics, coupled with the University's general education and writing programs. The program culminates with a senior recital.

The MM in Jazz Studies is a two-year, 30-unit program, focusing on individual jazz instruction, jazz composition, jazz pedagogy, jazz ensemble development, and ensembles, coupled with traditional music history. Two graduate recitals are required.

The DMA in Jazz Studies requires a minimum of 65 units beyond the bachelor's degree and consists of five areas of study: the basic DMA curriculum, course work in the major, an academic field, and two elective fields. Three doctoral recitals are required.

Ensembles
USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, Bob Mintzer, music director
USC Thornton Jazz Honors Combo, Jason Goldman, music director
USC Thornton Concert Jazz Orchestra, Jason Goldman, music director
USC Thornton Afro-Latin American Jazz Ensemble (ALAJE), Aaron Serfaty, music director
USC Thornton CreSCendo Vocal Jazz Choir, Sara Gazarek, music director

Faculty
Ambrose Akinmusire
David Arnay
Gilbert Castellanos
Ndugu Chancler
Peter Erskine
Russell Ferrante
John Fumo
Sara Gazarek
Jason Goldman
Kathleen Grace
Alphonso Johnson
Edwin Livingston
Thom David Mason
Ronald C. McCurdy
Roy McCurdy
Vince Mendoza
Bob Mintzer
Darek Oles
Alan Pasqua
Otmaro Ruiz
Aaron Serfaty
Bob Sheppard
John Thomas
Jacques Voyemant
Bill Watrous

Contact
Department of Jazz Studies
USC Thornton School of Music
Los Angeles, California 90089-0851
(213) 740-3119
uscjazz@usc.edu