Cape Henlopen 2018 graduate receives jazz scholarship

The Nammack-Ennis Memorial Jazz Scholarship was presented June 7 by True Blue Jazz Inc. to Cape Henlopen High School class of 2018 graduate Caleb Jones. The scholarship of $500 was established through the generosity of Russell and MaryAnn Scott, and Aina Nergaard-Nammack. A second scholarship of $125 was established by County Bank. 

The scholarship is a combined effort to honor John Nammack and David Ennis. John Nammack was serving on active duty as a pilot and intelligence officer with the U.S. Air Force when he met his future wife Aina Nergaard-Nammack, while stationed in Rota, Spain. Meanwhile, David Ennis held various jobs as a longshoreman and stevedore. He was married to the late Rena Ennis for 57 years until her death. While Nammack and Ennis held different jobs, both had a desire for the same true passion – jazz. Ennis played the saxophone and drums, while Nammack enjoyed teaching jazz and being a jazz historian. 

True Blue Jazz was given the charge to administer and award the newly founded John Nammack-David Ennis Memorial Jazz Scholarship on an annual basis. Local jazz fans Russell and MaryAnn Scott contacted True Blue Jazz in late April to express their desire to fund a scholarship to help a graduating Cape senior and honor two great jazz men in the process. The Scotts had a long and loving friendship with Philadelphia-based drummer and saxophonist David Ennis. When they moved to the Cape Region many years ago, they took a Jazz Appreciation class at the Osher Lifelong Learning Center offered by charismatic jazz educator John Nammack.

They knew they had to get John Nammack and their friend David Ennis together. When Ennis had an opportunity to visit, the Scotts took him to meet Nammack, and an instant friendship and bond cemented around their love for jazz. In a note written to the Scotts after Ennis’ passing, Nammack referred to him as his “soul brother,” and he thanked the Scotts for their introduction to the man who had become a treasured friend.

The Nammack-Ennis Memorial Jazz Scholarship is presented by the Scotts and John Nammack’s widow, painter Aina Nergaard-Nammack. It will be given annually to a deserving Cape senior who intends to pursue a career in music. True Blue Jazz Festival Producer Eddie Sherman said, “This scholarship represents the very best part of our community ... the part where people stand up to make a difference. People give lip service to their support of the arts. So many businesses and individuals in our community have the ability to make a difference in the life of a child, but few actually do. These three people put their money where their hearts are.”

True Blue Jazz was also able to gift an additional $125 in funds to Caleb Jones from the generosity of County Bank Rehoboth’s contribution from the Parade of Trees Fundraiser.

Anyone can be a part of helping a local music student by making a donation to the True Blue Youth Jazz Initiative or donating specifically to the Nammack-Ennis Memorial Jazz Scholarship. To learn more about True Blue Jazz and its stellar lineup of events for the True Blue Jazz 2018 Festival, visit www.truebluejazz.org.