PATRICE RUSHEN "Pizzaz" (Poster Print)

Patrice Rushen is an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, and educator born in Los Angeles, California. A child prodigy, she began playing the piano at age three and was giving classical recitals by age six. Her musical career spans multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, and pop.  Her legacy is defined by her defiance of the music industry. In 1982, after her album “Straight From The Heart” was rejected by her label, Elektra Records, she took matters into her own hands to get the hit single “Forget Me Nots” to radio. This proactive spirit defined her career, from navigating label struggles to securing a fair deal for the song's use in the “Men in Black” theme.  Beyond her successful recording career, she holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve as musical director for the Grammy Awards the Emmy Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards. She holds an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music and has served as an educator, including as the Chair of the Popular Music Program at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music.