USC Thornton appoints legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes to faculty; will perform with John Mayer at Bovard Auditorium

Contact: Sean David Christensen at seandavc@usc.edu, or USC Media Relations at uscnews@usc.edu

Greg Phillinganes, one of the world’s most sought-after keyboard artists and a five-decade veteran of the music industry, has joined the USC Thornton School of Music faculty as a part-time instructor, bringing unparalleled insight from his career as a performer, collaborator, and music director into the classroom.

Phillinganes will join longtime collaborator and Grammy Award-winning artist John Mayer on stage at USC’s Bovard Auditorium on Monday, March 2, for an exclusive masterclass and intimate conversation. Mayer, who has collaborated with Phillinganes on tour, in live performance, and on recordings, will share stories from his career, explore his creative process, and demonstrate the musicianship that has defined his work.

Phillinganes’ arrival at USC Thornton represents a rare opportunity for students to learn from a musician whose artistry has shaped nearly every corner of popular music. A Detroit native, he launched his professional career in 1975 with Stevie Wonder as part of Wonderlove. Since then, his work as a keyboardist, arranger, producer, and music director has placed him on the world’s biggest stages and in the studio with an extraordinary range of artists across genres.

His credits read like a who’s who of popular music: 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, among many others. In addition, Phillinganes has contributed to hundreds of Grammy Award–winning and nominated albums, including Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life,” Quincy Jones’ “Back on the Block,” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

“Greg Phillinganes’ contributions to music are nothing short of historic,” said Jason King, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music. “Our students will benefit immensely from his experience working at the highest levels of the industry, his artistry as a performer, and his deep knowledge of what it takes to build a long and impactful career. This is exactly the kind of artist-practitioner we are committed to bringing to Thornton.”

In addition to his prolific recording and performance career, Phillinganes served as music director for some of the world’s most high-profile tours and events. He directed Lionel Richie’s “Can’t Slow Down” tour, Michael Jackson’s “Bad” and “Dangerous” tours, and Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Special at Madison Square Garden. His work as music director also includes the 60th Emmy Awards, the Grammy Nominations Live Concert, MusiCares’ Person of the Year events, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Phillinganes was also the music director for Quincy Jones’ internationally broadcast “We Are the Future” concert in Rome, the Cirque du Soleil/Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour, and multiple “In Performance” at the White House specials. His credits extend to acclaimed tributes at Carnegie Hall, Grammy Salute broadcasts, and concert events honoring artists such as Dolly Parton, John Lennon, Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, and, most recently, Quincy Jones at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

“I’m honored to join the USC Thornton community,” said Phillinganes. “Passing on knowledge and mentoring the next generation is incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned through my journey.”

At Thornton, students will engage with Phillinganes through applied lessons, ensemble work, and workshops. Working directly with a musician who has collaborated with artists across generations, they will gain firsthand insight into the discipline, artistry, and adaptability required for sustained success in today’s evolving music industry.

Phillinganes recently performed with Toto on their Dogz of Oz World Tour and reunited with David Gilmour for his Luck and Strange tour, underscoring his continued presence on the world stage. His appointment reflects USC Thornton’s commitment to connecting students directly to the highest levels of contemporary performance and leadership in music.

“Greg embodies the spirit of USC Thornton: excellence, versatility, and mentorship,” said King. “We know he will inspire our students to dream bigger, work harder, and embrace the extraordinary possibilities of a life in music.”

Phillinganes’ “An Afternoon with John Mayer” masterclass, presented in collaboration with USC’s Visions and Voices, begins at 4:00 p.m. PST on Monday March 2 at 4 pm PT at Bovard Auditorium, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089. Admission is free and open to USC students, staff, and faculty. USC ID required for entry.

Greg Phillinganes — bio

Greg Phillinganes is one of the world’s most sought-after keyboardists. A Detroit native and 50-year music veteran, he began his career in 1975 with Stevie Wonder’s Wonderlove and went on to record, perform, and write with a staggering range of artists including Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, and Barbra Streisand. He co-wrote the hit “Love Will Conquer All” with Richie and has been a cornerstone of Grammy-winning albums such as Songs in the Key of Life, Thriller, and Back on the Block.

As a music director, Phillinganes has helmed tours and televised specials for Michael Jackson (Bad, Dangerous), Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, and In Performance at the White House. His MD credits also include major tributes to Quincy Jones, Bill Withers, Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, and John Lennon, along with Super Bowl and MusiCares events. A member of the Grammy-winning band Toto from 2003–2008, he appears on their Falling in Between album and DVD.

Phillinganes has produced and directed numerous large-scale events, from the Society of Singers tributes to Elton John and Natalie Cole to Quincy Jones’s 75th Birthday Celebration in Montreux. His work as MD for Songs in the Key of Life – The Performance earned him his first Emmy, followed by a second for the 2023 Gershwin Prize tribute to Joni Mitchell. Recent highlights include the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, tours with John Mayer and David Gilmour, and his return to the road with Toto on their Dogz of Oz world tour.

John Mayer — bio

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.

USC Thornton School of Music

Founded in 1884, the USC Thornton School of Music is one of the world’s premier music schools. Blending the artistry of a conservatory with the breadth of a leading research university, Thornton prepares students to excel as performers, composers, educators, and cultural leaders across genres. The school is recognized internationally for pioneering programs in popular music, screen scoring, and music industry studies, and is committed to shaping the future of music education through innovation, collaboration, and community impact.