We’re deeply saddened by the news that our beloved Adjunct Associate Professor Henry Gaffney passed away yesterday (May 23rd).

Henry began his career in music as a solo recording artist, releasing albums on both RCA  (“Waiting For A Wind”), and United Artists Records (“On Again Off Again”).  He was a staff writer for Koppleman / Bandier (EMI) for 9 years. His songs have been recorded by artist from all over the world, including: Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, The Four Tops, Jennifer Warnes, Tanya Tucker, Stephanie Mills, Glen Campbell, The Pointer Sisters, Nana Mouskouri, Chris Thompson, Peaches & Herb, Faye Wong and Camillo Sesto among dozens of others. He wrote numerous songs for the Emmy winning Television series “Fame”, in addition to other TV features and in 1987 composed, arranged and produced the original score to “Sidewalk Stories, winner of the Prix Du Public at the Cannes Film Festival.

Henry taught our required freshman core Songwriting course – “Writing the Hit Song” – for many years consecutively. With his trademark mix of folksy charm and razor-sharp intellect, Henry played an instrumental role on The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music’s faculty, bringing plenty of enthusiasm and vibrant ideas to the table. Above and beyond all else, we’ll remember Henry as a warm and generous human being.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Henry’s family and friends and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

We like this video of Mick Rock talking about Punk Drunk Love, an amazing DVD collection of images and scenes from Glam Rock.

We’re happy to have Mick teaching a Photography Masterclass with us at The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music this summer. More info is here.

HOW TO REGISTER

It’s so EASY!

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

ENROLL NOW IN THIS SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

Click on the video below to check out on our crazy awesome summer music masterclass series.

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

“MAKING IT IN THE MUSIC BIZ WITH KEVIN LILES”

Entrepreneur and philanthropist and KEVIN LILES – the storied former Executive Vice President of The Island Def Jam Music Group and The Warner Music Group – will offer a three-week masterclass entitled “Making It in the Music Biz.” He’ll teach the course alongside Recorded Music Chair Jeff Rabhan, the multiplatinum music manager for artists like Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkson and Jermaine Dupri. Liles will draw from lessons relayed in his popular how-to book Make It Happen: The Hip-Hop Generation Guide to Success, giving students the inside track on how to turn their music business fantasies into reality and providing hands-on workshopping of student music demos and business plans.

The Clive Davis Department also offers an official INTERNSHIP CLASS during the summer – one smart way to get in the door at major record labels and recording studios among other potential places of employment.

“MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS WITH MICK ROCK”

The visual genius behind the landmark iconic images of Bowie, Queen, T-Rex and Lady Gaga among others, MICK ROCK will join NYU’s faculty to offer sage advice in this summer’s “Music Photography Masterclass.” Teaming up with former Geffen Records creative director Joe Mama-Nitzberg, Rock will reveal his unique artistic process and will work directly with students to help shape their photographic vision. Students who enroll in the class will get the added benefit of studying music fashion history and they’ll also get the extraordinary opportunity to observe on a Mick Rock photography session as well.

“DJ-ING, PRODUCTION, MIXING AND REMIXING MASTERCLASSES”

NYC music maven DJ REKHA, one of the key figures behind the South Asian dance music scene, will team up with 2009 DMC World DJ Champion DJ SHIFTEE. Together they’ll offer “DJ History, Culture and Technique,” a masterclass that provides DJ history, entrepreneurial training and technique for aspiring turntable fiends, regardless of skill level. The course is taught both at New York University and at state of the art DUBSPOT DJ facilities just blocks away.

Journeyman remixer/producer MOCEAN WORKER will offer “The Art and Business of the Remix” for those interested in the finer points of cutting and mixing. Abd Grammy-award winning studio wizards KEVIN KILLEN (U2, Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello), and BOB POWER (D’Angelo, Common, Erykah Badu) will be on hand to offer masterclasses in mixing and production, respectively.

HOW TO REGISTER

It’s so EASY!

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17, 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call 212.992.8400 for more information.

See ‘ya in class.

As part of our Pop Speaks discussion series here at The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, we’re happy to be hosting a guest lecture for students with multiple Grammy-winning rock producer Steve Lillywhite.

Steve began his illustrious career producing records for Ultravox, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Peter Gabriel, before helming legendary sessions for U2, The Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, XTC, Morrissey, Dave Matthews, Phish, Chris Cornell, The Rolling Stones, Matchbox Twenty and many others. Beyond his career in the studio, Lillywhite has been an influential music executive, signing and producing at Universal Records and Columbia Records. In 2006 he received Grammy awards for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Best Rock Album and Album of the Year for his contribution to U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

Steve is a great example of what we try to train our students to become: he’s an innovative and creative producer who also happens to have a solid background in the music business itself.

Welcome Steve!

The Gallatin School of Individualized Study in association with
The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU
Record Label Series  |  Motown U
present

MAXINE POWELL:

A SPECIAL CONVERSATION WITH MOTOWN’S FIRST LADY OF ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
and a RARE MASTERCLASS EVENT
In the 1960s, Detroit image builder and personal motivator Maxine Powell co-founded Motown’s artist development unit,
the first such department at any record label. It was her responsibility to ’school’ artists like Diana Ross, Martha Reeves
and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Temptations on how to effectively present themselves to the public.
No record label has ever surpassed Motown’s brilliance in the artist development arena. Ms. Powell helped set a standard
for artist training that is still unparalleled in the music business.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 at 7 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
MAXINE POWELL: IN CONVERSATION w/ MICHAEL DINWIDDIE
Maxine Powell talks to Gallatin School Professor and biographer Michael Dinwiddie in a rare conversation and Q&A
Followed by a post-discussion reception
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THIS EVENT

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10 at 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
MAXINE POWELL: SCREENING AND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASS
After a special screening of a documentary film, Maxine Powell demonstrates her unique artist training
techniques by working with a selected group of NYU student performers. Open to the public. Come see Ms. Powell at work!
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THIS EVENT

WHERE:
Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts,
1 Washington Place (at Broadway, a block below Astor Place)

Both events are FREE but RSVP REQUIRED (see above)
Seats are limited, first come first served. No one will be admitted without a reservation

This event is part of Motown U, an eclectic Fall conversation series curated by Jason King, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the legendary record label

This Fall, The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University is proud to commemorate Motown’s 50th anniversary year with a FREE eclectic conversation series on the famous record label, open to students and the general public.

NYU students also get to attend private, closed Motown events, and they can enroll in accredited courses on the label.

ABOUT MOTOWN

Started in 1959 in Detroit by budding entrepreneur Berry Gordy, Motown was boldly named “Hitsville USA,” serving as a label home to such artists as Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, The Jackson 5, the Four Tops, and many others. Motown changed the concept of the record label and redefined the very idea of entrepreneurship in recorded music, serving as core inspiration to artists from The Beatles to Beyoncé.

ABOUT THE SERIES

MOTOWN U kicked off on Thursday September 17th with REMEMBERING MICHAEL JACKSON, an exciting panel discussion celebrating the music and career of the pop superstar (who got his start on Motown in 1969 with The Jackson 5). The panel featured luminaries Spike Lee, Margo Jefferson and others.

The next event, held on October 9th and 10th: a rare conversation with Motown Artist Development co-founder MAXINE POWELL, now in her 90s. Ms. Powell will also perform a masterclass for NYU students demonstrating her artist training techniques. This event is produced in collaboration with NYU’s Gallatin School for Individualized Study.

The series will focus on lesser-known artists and executives associated with Motown, such as R&B superstar and Rick James protégée TEENA MARIE and songwriter-producer LEON WARE who famously penned the 1976 classic, I Want You album for Marvin Gaye.

MOTOWN COURSES

NYU students also have had the unique opportunity this Fall to enroll in a 14-week course, The Motown Legacy, taught by Harry Weinger, Grammy-winning reissue producer and Vice President at Universal Music Enterprises, where he helps oversee the Motown catalog. NYU Gallatin School professor and award-winning playwright Michael Dinwiddie is offering students a course entitled The Motown Matrix: Race, Gender and Class Identity in the Sound of Young America.

New York University’s Clive Davis Department Artistic Director Jason King, who is curating the MOTOWN U series, felt it was important for students to know more about the record label in its 50th Anniversary year. “Through brilliant music,” King remarked, “Motown helped integrate blacks and whites and rewrite the narrative of race and class in America. No serious student of music and the music business can afford not to know about Motown.”

RSVP AND SCHEDULING

The schedule and RSVP information for the rest of the series will be posted on this blog as the events unfold. Join our blog, Facebook and Twitter sites to be the first to find out about events.

Stay tuned!

pictured above: Arianne Phillips, guest lecturing at The Clive Davis Department, summer 2009.

It’s not often we’re discussed in the context of fashion and glamor, but this summer The Clive Davis Department was glad to get a shout out in August’s fifth anniversary issue of T, the New York Times’ style magazine, distributed on Sundays.

The subject was legendary fashion stylist/costume designer Arianne Phillips (pictured above), who gave a guest lecture/Q&A in adjunct instructor Joe Mama-Nitzberg’s summer “Music and Fashion: Glam, Punk, Hip-Hop and Beyond” class.

Joe’s class focused on major historical moments in subcultural fashion and pop music…and students got a kick out of hearing Ms. Phillips talk about her groundbreaking work dressing iconic artists like Lenny Kravitz and Madonna.

It’s all here.