ARN Stories

The University of Southern California is home to one of the oldest, free-standing jazz departments in the country. But the idea of getting a formal jazz education is something relatively new that would’ve been quite foreign to the founders of the musical tradition.

Jelly Roll Morton is widely considered one of the essential early jazz musicians and made his living playing jazz in the roughest joints and clubs across the country. His experience was radically different from that of musicians today who are generally respected by a public that sees jazz as a legitimate art form. It’s safe to say that there weren’t any jazz performances being held in beautiful concert halls during the majority of Jelly Roll Morton’s life.

Improvisation is the foundational principle of jazz and many have questioned whether learning the music in a university environment is effective.  “To really be able to do this, you don’t learn that in school,” contemporary trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah said in a performance for Paste Magazine.

Despite skepticism, the number of students headed to jazz school is on the rise. Today, a large majority of the best musicians that play at the best clubs have some form of professional jazz education. And many great contemporary musicians are employed by universities to teach students jazz music.

Jason Goldman, the chair of the jazz department at USC, is no exception. In addition to completing his undergraduate education at the Berklee College of Music, he also holds advanced degrees from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and USC.

For Goldman, going to jazz school is definitely not a must, but the merits of spending time working with faculty and other students are invaluable. In addition to learning a lot about music, he wants students to learn a lot about life and a lot about working with other people.

During the 1940s, George Tirebiter was a shaggy mutt adopted by the student body of USC. He was named “Tirebiter” due to his love of chasing cars and biting their tires. He was beloved by all, taken to football games and prided as the unofficial mascot of the school. Eventually, he grew so popular that the student body decided to vote him in as the school’s first official mascot in 1947. During his time here, he was the subject of many tall tales, such as when students from UCLA kidnapped him, shaved “UCLA” into his fur, and covered him in honey and feathers.

But as time droned on, the original Tirebiter was eventually retired to a farm in San Diego. Alas, his time on Earth was brought to an end after being hit by a car while biting at its tires. The subsequent Tirebiters did their best, but none could live up to the fighting Trojan spirit of the original Tirebiter, and the dogs were eventually retired for the more prestigious Traveller the Horse.

Cinematographer Todd Somodevilla attended USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in the early ‘90s. He became quick friends with classmate Rian Johnson, who went on to direct huge blockbusters like “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Knives Out.”

Although he studied cinematography and editing at USC, Somodevilla spent a little time in front of the camera as well. He played the lead role in one of Johnson’s student films, portraying a thief who’s haunted by a mysterious supernatural force. The short is now 25 years old, and Somodevilla has many fond memories of the production.

As April ends, we head into May. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The US has seen a rise in anti-Asian violence this past year, but it must be acknowledged that this is not a new occurrence. And as Mendy Kong reports, it has to do with the history and modern day effects of colonialism and imperialism.

Where did the word “meme” come from and why do we like it?

Thinking of girlbossing your way into a new job? Learn about the word’s origin and how its meaning has evolved.

As we reach the end of the school year, there’s one word you might be hearing over and over

On today’s show, students participate in a campus wide walkout against sexual violence, the real reason behind basketball player Ethan Anderson leaving USC, urban farming in Compton’s food desert, and our producers share their recent reporting on Ukrainian refugees. All that and more, “From Where We Are.”  

Compton lacks readily-available fresh produce and grocery stores at large. One organization has set out to change that by creating an urban farm.

Denim Day, April 27, is dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence and spreading awareness. USC organizations led a walkout today in solidarity with survivors.