Monterey, Calif.; July 23, 2015; Monterey Jazz Festival announces that a scholarship fund to help support young musicians’ and vocalists’ educational opportunities at the Festival’s annual Summer Jazz Camp has been established in honor of the late Herb Sherman, a longtime Festival attendee, music lover, and local businessman.
Sherman, a Monterey Peninsula resident for more than 44 years, was an advocate for music education, and for giving young people the opportunity to explore the joy of music. The Herb Sherman Scholarship Fund was established by his family in order to subsidize Camp tuition for Monterey and Santa Cruz County students.
“My favorite part of Jazz Camp was getting to play with such talented musicians and really becoming intimate with such a beautiful art form,” said a student after the 2015 session.
Since 1984, Monterey Jazz Festival has hosted Monterey County students at the intensive, two-week Summer Jazz Camp, with professional musicians serving as Clinicians and visits from the Festival’s Artist-In-Residence. In 2015, over 100 students from 15 schools in Monterey County attended Camp. Through the generosity of its supporters, Monterey Jazz Festival provides subsidies and scholarships for students in need to make the Camp financially accessible, with a 50-75% reduction in fees. Ninety-six percent of students qualify for scholarships on average every year.
Herb Sherman was born August 3, 1938 in New York City. At the age of 15, he started going to jazz clubs in New York, where he saw jazz legend Miles Davis, and many others. Bringing music and business together, he opened record stores in Englewood, New Jersey.
In 1972, he fell in love with Big Sur. He sold his business in New Jersey, moved to the Monterey Peninsula and opened another store, The Record Cove, which he owned through 1984 on Alvarado Street. Herb also began attending the Monterey Jazz Festival as a dedicated patron for the next 44 years.
His love of music inspired many people throughout his life. “Jazz has my heart and classical music has my soul,” Herb once said.
Herb was pre-deceased by his son Scott, is survived by his wife of 24 years, Myrna, daughters Sara Soares and Robyne Szokoly, sons-in-law Ernie Soares and Nicholas Szokoly, and granddaughters Abigail and Emily Szokoly. Myrna said, “With Herb, I didn’t just hear the music, I embraced it; listening with my heart and experiencing with my soul.”
Learn more about the Herb Sherman Scholarship Fund here.
Major funding for the 2015 Summer Jazz Camp comes from the Arts Council for Monterey County, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Harden Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Rotary International, Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop, and individual donors.
About Monterey Jazz Festival
The Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates the legacy of jazz, expands its boundaries, and provides opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs.
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For more information, high-resolution pictures and interview opportunities please contact:
Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
Direct Line: 831.646.8670
Monterey Office: 831.373.3366
[email protected]
www.montereyjazzfestival.org