Patrice Rushen is a pianist, composer, producer, and music director whose pioneering career bridges jazz, R&B, classical, and pop genres. A classically trained pianist, she emerged in the 1970s with a distinctive sound blending melodic sophistication and instrumental prowess.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rushen attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in music education with a minor in piano performance. In 1974, while still at USC, she signed with Prestige Records, where she recorded two albums, Prelusion and Before the Dawn.
She has recorded 14 solo albums and performed with artists such as George Benson, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Dianne Reeves, Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Nancy Wilson, and Stevie Wonder. In 1997, Rhino Records released her greatest hits album, Haven’t You Heard: The Best of Patrice Rushen. Rushen has also collaborated with Ndugu Chancler, Alphonso Johnson, and Ernie Watts on two albums.
She has one of the most sampled catalogues by contemporary artists across genres and her 1982 hit Forget Me Nots has been sampled by artists such as Will Smith (“Men in Black”), George Michael, and Kirk Franklin.
Rushen has been musical director for many of the entertainment industry’s top awards shows and was the first woman to serve as musical director for the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards.
A composer of symphony music as well, in 2000 and 2001 she served as composer in residence with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Rushen was chair of the USC Thorton Popular Music Program from 2013-2023 and since 2008 served as Ambassador for Artistry in Education at Berklee College of Music. She participates in educational initiatives, including through the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences’ Grammy in the School program and Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs.
In 2005 Rushen received an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee. She continues to perform at major jazz festivals worldwide and to compose for films, television, and orchestras.
