 Patti Austin
Jazz week is in full swing at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. On April 18th, USC Jazz Week presents the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra in an all-Gershwin concert with guest vocalist with Patti Austin at the USC Bovard Auditorium at 7:00 PM. On April 20th they present the ecletic DaKah Hip Hop Orchestra at the USC Bovard Auditorium at 7:00 PM. There is also a free Jazz in the Park series with concerts held daily fron April 16th throught Aprl 20th in Alumni Park form 12:00-1:00 PM. Patti Austin crosses all musical genres, has 16 solo albums to her credit, has performed her award-nominated hit songs on the Grammys and Oscars. As a performer, songwriter and vocalist, Patti began her star-studded career at the age of four. 2007 is yet another great year in the life of this extraordinarily talented artist.
Recently, Patti debuted her one-woman show, which she wrote and created, was nominated for yet another Grammy Award for her spectacular recording in Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald For Ella, recorded live with the WDR Big Band in Colon, Germany; and co-created the musical extravaganza Beboperella, a modern day music driven ritual, reuniting and fueling the return for the spirits of Bebop. Directed by Shelly Berg, the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra concentrates on the hard swinging style of the classic bands. Renowned as a great accompanist, Shelly has also been the pianist of choice for vocalists Monica Mancini, Tierney Sutton, Joli Jones, and now, Patti Austin. As the flagship of the Jazz Studies Department, Shelly’s Thornton Jazz Orchestra performs worldwide at jazz festivals, as well as for marquee television and live performing arts events. On April 18, Patti Austin and the Thornton Jazz Orchestra will come together on the Bovard Auditorium stage to infuse pure jazz unto the audience’s ears. This is truly a show that you won’t want to miss!
EVENT: USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra with Patti Austin
DATE: April 18, 2007
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Bovard Auditorium
PRICE: General Public $15 - USC Faculty/Staff $10 - USC Student with valid ID $5  DaKah Hip Hop Orchestra Since the orchestra’s debut in November of 1999, DaKah’s members have swelled from 23 to 70 musicians, playing to sold-out crowds. That encompasses 30 string players, including violin, viola, cello, harp; a full woodwind section, including clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, and flute; a brass section including trombone, tuba, French horns and trumpets; a slew of percussionists including a regular drum kit, congas, bells timbales, Brazilian sticks and bass drum, desert drums from the Mid East, and steel pans. On any given night, there are varying numbers of dancers, singers, rappers, deejays, and turntables, and sometimes even a sitar player. While regular hip-hop rarely uses live instrumentation, DaKah takes the essential funkiness, rhythm, and phrasing of hip-hop, and merges it into a symphonic anomaly. The eclectic and memorable sound is one that will surely enlighten audiences of all musical preferences.
EVENT: DaKah Hip Hop Orchestra
DATE: April 20, 2007
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Bovard Auditorium PRICE: General Public $15 - USC Faculty/Staff $10 - USC Student with valid ID $5
Jazz in the Park Daily: Monday 04/16/2007 - Friday 04/20/2007; 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
University Park Campus Alumni Park
A weeklong celebration of jazz takes over the lunch hour. Monday, April 16
Concert Jazz Orchestra
John Thomas, Director
Tuesday, April 17
Afro Latin-American Jazz Ensemble
Aaron Serfaty, Director
Wednesday, April 18
ELF Ensemble
Alphonso Johnson, Director
Thursday, April 19
Studio Guitar Ensemble
Frank Potenza, Director
Friday, April 20
Nebula Explosion
Richard Sears, Student Conductor
All concerts are free and will be held in Alumni Park, 12-1 p.m. Dedicated in 1935 as "Alumni Memorial Campus," the one-square block Alumni Park includes the Doheny Memorial Library, an expanse of lawn and sycamore trees, and a central fountain featuring the Youth Triumphant sculpture. The park provides space for outdoor concerts, celebrations, and a variety of special events from career days to international food fairs. The University's main commencement ceremony is held each May at Alumni Park.
There is another super jazz event coming up at USC in April:
Ella Fitzgerald Tribute Natalie Cole
University Park Campus
Galen Center
The stars descend on USC, as Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones and Wynonna Judd -- with help from the USC Thornton Symphony and Jazz Orchestra -- pay tribute to the first lady of song. Don't miss this amazing evening celebrating Ella Fitzgerald, Sunday, April 29, at 7 p.m.. Performers will include Natalie Cole, K.D. Lang, Nancy Wilson, Cyndi Lauper, Quincy Jones, Take 6, Wynonna Judd, Ruben Studdard, Patti Austin, Lizz Wright, Monica Mancini, Dave Koz, George Duke, James Moody and the USC Thornton Symphony and Jazz Orchestra, plus a special surprise guest!
Proceeds from the concert support the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (213) 821-GALEN. Faculty and staff get a $5 savings, and USC students receive a $10 savings. Get your tickets today! Admission: Upper Level, $50. Upper Level, $75. Lower Level, $100. Floor Seats, $125.
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