ADMISSION:
Admission is free and open to USC students, staff, and faculty only. USC ID required for check-in.

Advance reservations are full, and the waitlist is now closed. We often receive last-minute cancellations and no-shows, and we encourage you to attend the event on standby. USC students, staff, and faculty may join the standby line when check-in opens at 3:30 p.m. Unclaimed tickets will be distributed to the standby line at 3:55 p.m.

DESCRIPTION:
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with GRAMMY Award–winning artist John Mayer. In an intimate conversation and live masterclass with USC Thornton School of Music's newest faculty member, legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, Mayer will share stories from his life and career, explore his creative process, and demonstrate the musicianship that has made him one of the most influential artists of his generation. Blending insight and inspiration, this special event promises a rare behind-the-scenes look at artistry in action—captivating for musicians and music lovers alike. 

There’s nobody quite like John Mayer. He has emerged as a GRAMMY® Award–winning artist, celebrated songwriter, and iconic guitar player all at once. The Bridgeport, CT native introduced himself on the quintuple-platinum Room For Squares in 2001 and has earned three #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with the triple-platinum Heavier Things [2003], double-platinum Battle Studies [2009], and gold Born and Raised [2012]. In addition to selling over 20 million albums worldwide and gathering billions of streams to date, he has garnered seven GRAMMY® Awards, including “Song of the Year” for “Daughters,” and has earned a record seven U.S. No. 1s on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and 25 entries on the Hot Rock Songs chart, the most for any solo artist. In 2015, Dead & Company was founded, with Mayer on lead guitar as well as vocals and quickly became one of the most successful bands, touring consistently, including a highly successful, 50-show residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, which drew over 800,000 attendees, 10 U.S. tours, playing to almost five million fans across 300 shows; and became a record-breaking stadium act. In addition, $15+ million has been raised to support nonprofits and environmental and social causes. In 2021, Sob Rock, Mayer’s eighth studio album was released to critical acclaim featuring the hits, “Last Train Home” and “Wild Blue.” In November 2023, Life With John Mayer launched—an exclusive, 24/7, year-round SiriusXM channel curated and presented by Mayer. 

Greg Phillinganes is one of the world’s most sought-after keyboard artists. A Detroit native and music veteran for 50 years, he began his career in 1975 with Stevie Wonder as part of his band, Wonderlove. Since leaving Stevie in 1979, Phillinganes went on to record, perform, tour, and/or write with a staggering array of Grammy Award-winning artists. A short list includes Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger, Babyface, David Gilmour, John Mayer, Garth Brooks, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Richie, Bruno Mars, Santana, and Paul McCartney. Phillinganes is an ASCAP Pop Award winner for the song “Love Will Conquer All,” which he co-wrote with Lionel Richie.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices and the USC Thornton School of Music.