Have you heard #LIZZO 's new Amazon Music Original “Someday at Christmas”? This cover of Stevie Wonder’s holiday classic not only features synths and instrumentation by Los Angeles College of Music’s Songwriting and Music Business faculty member Jameel "Jproof" Roberts, but also features guitar by LACM student David Spitzfaden.

Roberts started teaching at LACM ten years ago, in 2012, because, as he says, “Education is an element of music I’ve always been passionate about.” A multi-talented platinum-selling producer, songwriter, composer/arranger, educator and instrumentalist, he co-produced and wrote “Good Kisser” for R&B singing sensation Usher, which climbed to #1 on the US R&B/Hip Hop charts. The track garnered his first nomination for Best R&B Song at the 2015 Grammy Awards. Roberts’ songwriting and arranging were also featured on the 2020 Grammy nominated Album of The Year, Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande. More information on Roberts here https://lacm.edu/facultystaff/jameelroberts/.

"I was working with Lizzo on recording “Someday at Christmas” last summer and decided to call David in because we needed guitar,” Roberts says. “Dave's one of my students at LACM, and he's an excellent guitar player, vocalist and songwriter. And so, he was the first person I thought of to bring in.”

David knew he wanted to perform and be a professional musician from a young age, and got involved with the Summer at Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) program, a music program for students ages 12+, when he was 17. The Summer at LACM program motivated him to enroll full time after high school graduation, and he is now a current student in the Songwriting Program at LACM learning from some of the top songwriters, musicians and producers in the industry. 

When Roberts asked David to play guitar on a holiday record he was working on with Lizzo, his immediate response was “Uh, yeah! I’ll be there!” Here is a link to a video with Roberts and David talking about their experience recording with Lizzo.

“The LACM Faculty roster includes Grammy, BMI & People’s Choice award-winning musicians, recording artists, producers, and entrepreneurs who love to share their experiences and expertise with the next generation of music leaders,” said Erin Workman, Executive Vice President, LACM and Department Head, Songwriting & Music Business. “Collectively, they have worked with Jason Mraz, Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Randy Newman, Ariana Grande, Usher, Lizzo, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and many, many more, and their connections and industry relationships help our students learn, thrive and get industry experience in real time in the heart of Los Angeles.”

For more information, visit LACM and David Spitzfaden online. You can stream #SomedayAtChristmas now on Amazon Music and follow David on Instagram @david_spitzfaden for updates on performances and original music.