Musical Bruins: Vol. 1

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rom rock legends to indie trailblazers, UCLA has been home to musical icons like Jim Morrison of The Doors, composer John Williams ’53 and pop sensation Sara Bareilles ’03. Whether scoring blockbuster films, performing in chart-topping bands or producing genre-bending tracks, Bruins prove that the spirit of creativity thrives long after graduation. 

In this first installment of Musical Bruins, we’re shining a spotlight on alumni who’ve turned their passion into powerful sound. The work from these talented Bruins spans pop, hip-hop, rock and more. 

Ready to keep rocking? Stream this playlist on Spotify for a curated soundtrack of both rising and legendary Bruin artists.

Musical Bruins - Vol. 1: Listen Here

Featured Artists:

Rey Fresco

True to their Ventura roots, Rey Fresco combines rock, reggae, world, soul and Latin music — the perfect soundtrack for a sunny day in Southern California. The key to their unique sound? A 36-string Veracruz harp played by founding member and UCLA Ethnomusicology graduate Xocoyotzin “Xoco” Moraza ’06. The band continues to perform along the California coast and opened for Ziggy Marley this summer. 

D Smoke

Previously a Spanish and music theory teacher in the Los Angeles public school system, Daniel “D Smoke” Farris ’07 became a breakout artist after winning Netflix’s 2019 season of “Rhythm & Flow.” A three-time Grammy nominee, his music pays homage to his upbringing in Inglewood, California, exploring themes of family, faith, and Black and Latinx cultural identity. His Wake Up Supa tour kicks off Oct. 28.

Alison Brown

Trading investment banking for live touring, Grammy-award winning banjo player Alison Brown, MBA ’86, blends traditional bluegrass with jazz sensibilities. With a career spanning more than three decades, she’s earned international acclaim for her progressive approach to the instrument. She frequently collaborates with fellow Bruin and comedian Steve Martin, and their latest track, “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back,” debuted on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last month.

BEL

Isabel “BEL” Whelan ’18 grew up in a bilingual, music-filled home, often harmonizing to Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez with her Argentine mother. A third-generation Bruin, she refined her songwriting at UCLA, where she won Best Solo Act at Spring Sing in 2017. Since then, she’s been carving out a space in the indie-pop world, infusing dreamy vocals with introspective lyrics. Her debut album “Holy Grail” arrives Oct. 17.

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Interested in being featured on a future Musical Bruins playlist? Email connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu with your name, grad year and link to your Spotify profile.