PITTSBURGH, July 23, 2008 The Pittsburgh Jazz Society and BNY Mellon today announced the selection of Gerald Homme as the recipient of the 2008 Pittsburgh Jazz Society / BNY Mellon Jazz Scholarship. Homme will receive his scholarship award on air during WDUQ 90.5's broadcast of "Jazz with Tony Mowod" on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Chosen by a panel of nationally recognized jazz musicians and educators on the basis of his scholarship application and accompanying audition tape, Homme will receive a $5,000 award from the Pittsburgh Jazz Society and BNY Mellon.
The son of James and Clara Homme of Crafton Heights, Gerald will attend Duquesne University as a freshman beginning in August. Homme plays both the clarinet and saxophone and composes music. Gerald's talent is also noteworthy given that he has dysgraphia, a learning disability which impairs one's ability to express thoughts in writing. A 2008 graduate of the Pittsburgh Public School System's High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Homme works for Bender Consulting Services, an organization that helps people with disabilities find jobs. He was a member of the North Suburban Symphonic Band and also has performed with the Roger Humphries Big Band.
Along with his CAPA classmates, Homme reenacted the mystique and magic of Pittsburgh's famed Crawford Grille for attendees of the 2007 Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show.
"Gerald Homme is a young, talented jazz musician whom we are proud to reward for his dedication and achievement," said James P. McDonald, president, BNY Mellon Charitable Foundation. "We are delighted to partner with the Pittsburgh Jazz Society to support this scholarship which cultivates and develops the next generation of great jazz performers and composers."
"Our judges selected Gerald, an excellent scholarship candidate, from a large pool of qualified applicants," said Tony Mowod, founder and president of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society and executive producer and jazz host of WDUQ 90.5 FM. "Together with The Bank of New York Mellon, we will continue to help exceptionally talented local young people succeed and continue the tradition of jazz music."
A non-profit 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization, The Pittsburgh Jazz Society is dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and perpetuation of all jazz through education, performance, partnering and community outreach for members and the general public.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $23 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services more than $11 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.
July
6th Jimmy Ponder Trio
13th Dr. Tom Degregory Septet
20th - Roger Humphries Big Band
27th Jerry and Louis Lucarelli Group
August
3rd Tim Stevens
10th - Marty and Jay Ashby Quartet
24th Tuesday Night Jazz Orchestra Feat: Lori Russo
31st - Shari Richards
September
7th John Wilson Big Band
14th Roger Humphries and RH Factor
21st The 'Burgh' Big Band
28th Phoenix Jazz Project
October
5th Roger Humphries Big Band
12th Dixie Doc and the Pittsburgh Dixieland All Stars
The fourth sunday of each month is sponsored by:
Members receive quarterly newsletters, and advance notice on concerts. The newsletters contain timely information on upcoming jazz events, biographies of local jazz personalities, and notices of jazz societies and events in the surrounding region. PJS members also receive discounts at participating area businesses.
Membership is open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. The Pittsburgh Jazz Society, a non profit (501) (c) (3) organization, is dedicated to the promotion, preservation and perpetuation of all jazz. This is accomplished through education, performance, partnering and community outreach for members and the general public. Membership is $25 per year. Students join for $10.00 with student ID. 1/3 of membership fees goes towards scholarships.
To join, send your name, address, and telephone number along with check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Pittsburgh Jazz Society
PO Box 1333
Pittsburgh, PA 15230, USA.
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