Monterey and Boston, Sept. 20, 2002-- Berklee College of Music and the Monterey Jazz Festival announced today that Carlin Muccular of Richmond, CA is the seventh recipient of the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship at Berklee, a major jazz education prize. The scholarship is named in honor of the festival's late founder, James L. (Jimmy) Lyons, who began the festival more than 40 years ago with jazz education at its core.
The Lyons Scholarship is awarded each year to one Northern California student in recognition of their outstanding musical talent. Because it is a full-tuition, renewable award, satisfactory academic and musical progress in each successive year will allow each Lyons Scholar to attend Berklee through graduation, entirely tuition-free.
The presentation will be made by legendary drummer Albert “Tootie" Heath, one of the Heath Brothers, the 2002 Monterey Jazz Festival Artists in Residence. Tootie Heath has enjoyed a long and storied career, recording with his brothers as well as such icons as John Coltrane, J.J. Johnson, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, and Johnny Griffin.
Carlin Muccular (pron. McCuller), 18, is a gifted drummer who has been playing the instrument since he was five years old, with his earliest performances in church at the age of seven. In 1999, he received his first national exposure when he won the “Guitar Center National Drum-Off" competition at the House of Blues in Hollywood, and was named the top amateur drummer in the country.
Since that time, Carlin has recorded on three separate gospel CD projects, and this year has been touring with the acclaimed R&B singer Ledisi. He is the youngest endorser of both Remo Drumheads and Sabian cymbals, and currently studies with Cuban-American percussion legend Walfredo Reyes, Sr.
Carlin graduated from El Cerrito High School in June 2002, and begins his studies in Boston in September. He will be double majoring at Berklee, in Music Production and Engineering, and Music Business/Management. Carlin willingly attributes his musical gift and good fortune to a higher power. “Only God has blessed me with the musical talent to play the drums, as well as my hopes and dreams for a music career, which are unlimited. Attending Berklee will be a dream come true for me, one of what I hope will be many more to come after I graduate from the college."
Previous Lyons Scholars
Trumpeter Erik Telford of Pacific Grove was named the first Lyons Scholar in September 1996, and after a performing hiatus from the college, returned to Berklee in fall, 1999. Erik has studied privately with Wynton Marsalis, has performed with Ernie Watts (Berklee
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