Springfest Transforms mcmarthy quad

The annual music festival featured Ty Dolla $ign, Frost Children and EASTWEST

"'As a band and as EASTWEST, we want to show how we are able to twist these songs to fit our band, and how we can employ our own sounds into these different types of genres, different types of music,' said Bakhari Nokuri, a junior majoring in composition and one of two EASTWEST founders. 'We want to make a lot of songs familiar to a lot of different people...'

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“In the Mix” Podcast with Ravenn Sanders

In the debut episode of In the Mix, host Ravenn Sanders sits down with EASTWEST, a duo formed at USC that’s redefining collaboration in modern popular music. Comprised of producer, composer, and drummer Bakhari Nokuri and singer, songwriter, and producer Luc Edouard Eldridge, EASTWEST blends jazz, R&B, classical composition, and contemporary pop influences while prioritizing feel over formula. In this conversation, they unpack how their partnership began, the story behind their name, and how their distinct musical backgrounds shape their creative process. This episode explores the art of collaboration, creative trust, and what it means to build a shared sound as emerging artists in today’s music industry. 🎧 Episode 1: The Art of Collaboration.

Thornton Symphony Orchestra plays musical chairs

The winds section brought a breath of fresh air to Bovard Auditorium on Friday.

"...The musical tempo escalated after the next rearrangement, introducing a larger ensemble to perform “Afrospire” by Bakhari Nokuri, a junior majoring in composition. His second piece to be performed by a Thornton ensemble and the first with the wind ensemble, “Afrospire” was bounding and adventurous, as well as unique in its inclusion of a drum set."

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The ASCAP Foundation Announces 2025 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award Recipients

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

NEW YORK, March 28, 2025 -- The ASCAP Foundation announces the recipients of the 2025 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards. Established in 2002, the program recognizes gifted young jazz composers up to the age of 30. It carries the name of the great trumpeter and ASCAP member Herb Alpert in recognition of The Herb Alpert Foundation’s multi-year financial commitment to the program. The recipients, who receive cash awards, are selected through a juried national competition. The 2025 ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award recipients are listed below with their age, current residence and place of origin...Bakhari S. Nokuri, age 19 of Los Angeles, CA (Dayton, MD); Marc Perez, age 24 of Los Angeles, CA; Artur Ponsà of Boston, MA (Barcelona, Spain)...

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The ASCAP Foundation Names Recipients of 2024 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

"NEW YORK, June 5, 2024 – The ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams today announced the recipients of the 2024 ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, which encourage talented young creators of concert music ranging in age from 14 to 29...The following composers received Honorable Mention... Bakhari Nokuri of Los Angeles, CA (Dayton, MD); Jaylin Vinson of Oklahoma City, OK; and Johnny Wagner of KY."

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"Get to know Bakhari Nokuri, Glenelg' self-taught Composer and virtuoso"

The Glenelg Shield

​"Bakhari Nokuri has been composing music since he was in fifth grade. From video game adaptive music to band ensemble pieces, it’s Nokuri’s ability to explore emotions through music that resonates most with..."

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