Linda Moody and JAZZ HOUSE KiDS are pleased to announce that drummer Mecadon McCune of Newark will receive the 2023 James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey
About the James Moody Jazz Scholarship
The James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey recognizes an outstanding high school senior who embodies the qualities that NEA Jazz Master James Moody expressed through his life and music. The scholarship seeks to foster the qualities of this jazz icon — musicianship, creativity, leadership and community involvement.
According to Linda Moody, “This scholarship would be an immense source of pride for Moody. He fondly recalled growing up in Newark and was always thrilled when he could provide aspiring musicians with the resources he never had. Moody’s enormous presence will always be with us.”
LINDA MOODY AND JAZZ HOUSE KiDS ANNOUNCE WINNER OF 2023 JAMES MOODY SCHOLARSHIP
[MONTCLAIR + NEWARK, NJ – June 1, 2023] Linda Moody and JAZZ HOUSE KiDS are pleased to announce that drummer Mecadon McCune of Newark will receive the 2023 James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey. The scholarship, now in its ninth year, is named for Ms. Moody’s late husband, the legendary Newark-raised tenor saxophonist James Moody. It is awarded annually to a New Jersey high school senior who embodies the qualities expressed by the NEA Jazz Master through his life and works—musicianship, creativity, leadership, and community involvement. Mecadon McCune of Newark to study Jazz Performance at Montclair State University.
IMPORTANT 2024 DATES
- APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TBD, 2024
- AWARD NOTIFICATION: May 2024
- AWARD CEREMONY: June 2024
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
- GPA of 2.5 or higher strongly preferred
- Graduating senior (2023) in the State of New Jersey
- Strong musical aptitude
- Student will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at a college/university within the United States
- Demonstrated financial need
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
- Professional level instrument, donated by RS BERKELEY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
- NEW! $10,000 (lump sum) award is paid directly to the college or university where the winner will attend
MORE INFORMATION
Download our 2023 James Moody jazz scholarship PDF for more information on how to apply.
SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE
Scholarship administrator: Community Foundation of New Jersey
PAST MOODY AWARD RECIPIENTS:
2015 Birsa Chatterjee – Tenor Saxophone
2016 Iyonna Herbert – Drums
2017 Andrew Wagner – Trumpet
2018 Caelan Cardello – Piano
2019 Jalin Shiver – Alto saxophone
2020 Rayner Perez – Trombone
2021 Paul Reinhold – Bass
2022 Ryoma Takenaga
2023 Mecadon McCune – Drummer
QUESTIONS? Please contact SCHOLARSHIP@JAZZHOUSEKIDS.ORG or 973-744-2273.
