Thornton School of Music’s Jazz Night was in full swing Monday evening at Carson Soundstage, with sets led entirely by two bands composed of the students enrolled in the honors jazz program. 

These performances are a key component of the curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to apply their classroom training in a live setting and develop skills essential for professional musicianship. Monday’s program showcased original compositions by each member of both bands.

Thornton’s events emphasize curiosity, providing students with numerous opportunities to engage with music of various genres, said Steven Frankland, a concert attendee and a recent transfer to USC majoring in philosophy, politics and economics, found the variety of Thornton’s performance opportunities exciting for nonmusical students.

“They have so many events in Thornton, they make it very accessible,” Frankland said. “I want to consume as much music as I can with all different genres, to be as exposed [to] unique [genres] as possible.”

The first group opened with an original composition titled “Once Upon a Time,” composed by drummer Nathan Friedman, a master’s student in jazz studies. Upright bassist, Max Frissen, a senior majoring in jazz studies, opened with an intricate solo that set a measured tone before the ensemble crescendoed toward a layered, full-sounding peak. 

Between introducing pieces, jazz studies master’s student Simon Hwang’s saxophone traded lines with pianist and jazz studies doctoral candidate Sam Hirsh’s percussive notes, balancing sharp rhythmic phrases with melodic passages. With the next few pieces, the ensemble continued to showcase precision and musicality, producing a tight, punchy sound that carried through the room.

Jazz studies sophomore Jack Simpson’s guitar skills added warmth and harmony to every song, keeping the music’s textures grounded and fluid. The performance left a lasting impression on the audience, who nodded along to the music that brought the scores to life.

The performance’s professionalism played to the audience regardless of their familiarity with jazz music. Sam Street, a freshman majoring in electrical engineering who attended the performance, likened the first band to a “Dave Holland recording,” referring to the renowned jazz bassist and composer, known for his groundbreaking work in modern jazz and his intricate ensemble experience. 

As the set progressed, the band settled into the moment and found its stride, with Friedman’s percussion driving the ensemble forward, maintaining a steady rhythm and supporting each soloist while keeping the energy high. 

The instrumentality of each composition was evident in the precision, creativity and playfulness throughout the entire set. Joshua C. Childress, a first-year doctoral student in jazz studies, took the music in stride after reflecting on his experience of working with the band; his devotion to the ensemble, along with that of his bandmates, displayed technical mastery and emotional depth.

“It’s great. It pushes me, it keeps me on my toes, and encourages and motivates me to continue to just be the best musician I can be, to work on my craft outside that way, when I come in, I’m actually bringing a gift to the ensemble,” Childress said.

In the second half, the honors program introduced another ensemble. Trombonist, Kazeem Elebute, a junior majoring in jazz studies, and his partner on saxophone, Sylvester Onyejiaka, a master’s student in jazz studies, shaped the front line, with contrasting timbers that shaped much of the group’s melodic weight. 

Jazz studies junior Quinn Sims’ work on the upright bass, accompanied by the drummer — now Rene Grajfoner, a master’s student in jazz studies — kept the energy and passion for each piece high, transporting the audience into a percussive playground. 

As the second group’s performance came to a close, the show ended with pianist Tim Martersteck, a master’s student in jazz studies, and his original piece, “Exodus.” The piece was powerful: His score showcasing the full range of the band’s abilities, and he tied a clean bow on all 10 performers’ work from the night.

Thornton’s Jazz Night highlighted the immense variety of skill and dedication of USC’s honors jazz students, with both ensembles showcasing technical skill, creative improvisation and strong collaboration. From the tight interplay of the first set to the dynamic chemistry of the second, the performances left the audiences engaged and impressed, tapping their feet and nodding their heads along to the music.

The program’s emphasis on ensemble work, original writing and musical growth offered a vivid snapshot of the passion, discipline and artistry nurtured and upheld by the students and faculty at Thornton.

“The band, specifically in the second group, was great. The chemistry was really there,” said Matias Castro, a sophomore majoring in jazz studies who attended the event. “It was one of the best-sounding groups I’ve heard at the school so far. … I think it’s just the way everyone plays together … They were all listening to each other and kind of creating that sound together.”