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THOMAS PRIDGEN OF BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL WINS LYONS SCHOLARSHIP TO BERKLEE
15-Year-Old Drummer Is Youngest-Ever Winner
Monterey and Boston, September 16, 1999 -- Thomas Pridgen, of Berkeley, Calif., is the fourth recipient of the James L. Lyons Scholarship to Berklee College of Music, alma mater of Quincy Jones, Joe Lovano, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis and a host of other major figures in contemporary music. Pridgen, 15, is an outstanding drummer who began recording music professionally at age 8.
The scholarship is named in honor of the Monterey Jazz Festival's late founder, James L. (Jimmy) Lyons, who founded the festival 40 years ago with jazz education programs at its core. It is awarded in recognition of the outstanding talent demonstrated by one Northern California area student. Because it is a full-tuition, renewable award, satisfactory academic and musical progress in each successive year will allow the recipient to attend Berklee through graduation, entirely tuition-free.
"For Jimmy Lyons, having a festival was largely 'about the kids,' getting them involved with the music," said Tim Jackson, MJF general manager. "We think having a scholarship of this weight at Berklee is a fitting tribute to a true jazz education pioneer."
Three senior Berklee faculty were flown to Monterey at the time of the California High School Jazz Competition in April of this year, expressly to audition some 25 students, who were themselves winnowed from a large number of tapes received at Berklee throughout the spring. Pridgen was chosen the top performer from this group of live auditioners, despite the fact that he was just high school sophomore. The college also awarded a number of scholarships to other top students auditioned in Monterey.
Just 15 years old, Pridgen recently entered his junior year at Berkeley High School, yet he has already amassed an impressive list of credentials. Since beginning a recording career at age 8, he has performed on 11 gospel albums, with an additional three more albums to be released by April 2000. He won the Guitar Center Drum-Off at the age of 9, and by the time he was 10 years old, Pridgen was convinced he wanted to attend Berklee.
"I talked to so many people who went there or teach there and they all said it was a great place to go," Pridgen said. "Then after I attended [the Berklee in Los Angeles summer program] I really wanted to go there because I liked the teachers and I just liked the atmosphere."
A serious student of jazz, Pridgen has studied with David Garibaldi, Walfredo Reyes, Sr., Troy Lacukatta and Curtis Nutall. He is currently a member of the well-known Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, under the direction of Charles Hamilton, and participated in the ensemble's tour of Japan this past year. During summer vacations, he has studied at Stanford Jazz Camp and the Berklee in Los Angeles program. Pridgen must complete high school before being admitted to Berklee. He plans to enroll after graduating from Berkeley High in 2001.
"I didn't think I would win the scholarship because everyone was telling me you had to be a senior," Pridgen said. "I felt really honored and excited when I found out I won because I'm younger than everyone else."
Pridgen's talents have captured the attention of many professional drummers. Louie Bellson invited him to participate in a special drum performance in San Jose, Calif. He also was invited to perform on clinic tours with Walfredo Reyes, Sr. and Dennis Chambers. He has performed with the Bay Area Grammy All Star Band. Pridgen is the youngest drummer ever to be endorsed by the Zildjian Cymbal company. He also is endorsed by Pearl Drums, LP Latin Equipment, Zendrum and Remo drum heads.
The James L. Lyons award will be presented to Thomas Pridgen on Sunday, Sept. 19, on the festival's Jimmy Lyons Stage at approximately 2 p.m., following the performance of the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All-Star Big Band. Pridgen is expected to sit in with the Berklee-Monterey Quartet '99, which will play the Garden Stage on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Founded in 1945, Berklee College of Music recently completed its 50th year of advancing careers in contemporary music. The worldis largest independent college of music, Berklee has a multicultural enrollment of over 3,000 students, 40 percent of whom are international. The college's alumni include some of the most respected figures in contemporary music, including many multi-Grammy award winners.
