Celebrating the centennial year of the Newark-born NEA Jazz Master James Moody and the indelible mark he left on the world. LINDA MOODY + JAZZ HOUSE
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.”
IMPORTANT 2025 DATES
- APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 26, 2025
- AWARD NOTIFICATION: May 2025
- AWARD CEREMONY: September 13, 2025 @ The Montclair Jazz Festival
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
- GPA of 2.5 or higher strongly preferred
- Graduating senior (2024) 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 2025 James Moody jazz scholarship PDF for more information on how to apply.
RECORDING REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
- Billie’s Bounce
- CHOOSE ONE ADDITIONAL TUNE FROM THESE SELECTIONS FOUND ON
YOUTUBE:- All The Things You Are (Play-Along)
- Ladybird: Backing Track (swing 140 bpm)
- There Will Never Be Another You (Play-Along)
SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE
- Linda Moody
- Christian McBride
- Mark Gross
- Nathan Eklund
- Ted Chubb
- Renee Rosnes
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
2024 Alex Kavlakian – Drummer
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Emerging Musician and Rising Senior at Rahway High School Awarded 2024 James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey
10th annual award includes a $10,000 Scholarship
QUESTIONS? Please contact SCHOLARSHIP@JAZZHOUSEKIDS.ORG or 973-744-2273.
