True Blue Jazz awards scholarships to Cape grads
True Blue Jazz recently awarded the remaining two of four $1,000 scholarships slated for the year to two 2022 Cape Henlopen High School graduates. The nonprofit, dedicated to youth education in the preservation of jazz, awards annual scholarships to Cape Region graduates through its True Blue Jazz Kids Youth Jazz Education Program. The organization conducts masterclasses and clinics by bringing internationally renowned headline artists into area schools to work with local students. In addition to scholarships, the program provides instruments to students in need, private instruction as deemed warranted by band directors and multiple performance opportunities throughout the year.
Guitarist Elliott Bastian received the $1,000 Nammack/Ennis Memorial Scholarship Aug. 3 during True Blue Jazz’s 1st Wednesdays concert at Nassau Valley Vineyards. Elliott and Cape junior Conor Weidmann opened the concert for The Eric Byrd Trio. Members of the Cape High School Jazz Ensemble have regularly opened for the 1st Wednesdays series since early in 2021.The Nammack/Ennis Memorial Scholarship was initiated by Mary Anne and Russ Scott to remember the friendship they kindled between local jazz historian John Nammack and jazz saxophonist David Ennis.
Pianist Marcus Gromofsky was awarded The True Blue Jazz “Scotty” Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 Aug. 21 at the Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers Market. This scholarship honors Cape Region musical icon Lawrence “Scotty” Scott. Breaking the color barrier in area clubs and restaurants, Scott became the first African American artist to perform in local establishments designated “for whites only.” This pianist, mentored by Erroll Garner and accompanist to Billie Holiday, became a friend to all who knew him, and a mentor and teacher to countless up-and-coming musicians across Sussex County.
The 10th Annual True Blue Jazz Festival will take place Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 12 to 16, at multiple venues in Rehoboth and Lewes. Among the many shows, Elliott Bastian with join Cape alumnus Will Warick in a performance at Bramble & Brine at The Buttery. The Cape Henlopen High School Jazz Band will open True Blue Jazz’s six-hour Big Band Marathon at Rehoboth Beach Fire Station 1 Saturday, Oct. 15. All show proceeds benefit the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company.
To learn more, go to truebluejazz.org.
