Inspiring the next generation: music and speeches from legendary musicians
2017-2018 Berklee Archives GRAMMY Grant Digitization Project
In 2017, the Berklee Archives received an eighteen month $13,000 grant from the GRAMMY Museum® to digitize a curated selection of 1977-2004 video recordings, primarily drawn from one of its largest collections: Berklee College of Music Video Services Event Recordings, 1979-2005 (collection number BCA-018). Originally on VHS tapes and digitized by George Blood LP, the 136 recordings selected feature Berklee commencement speeches, commencement concerts, as well as clinics by illustrious honorary degree recipients.
About the Berklee College of Music Video Services Event Recordings, 1979-2005
The Berklee College of Music Video Services Event Recordings, 1979-2005 collection (BCA-018) consists of approximately 3,900 video recordings (primarily on VHS tape) of clinics, concerts, and other special events on campus spanning 1979-2005 (with most recordings taking place 1985-2004). Recorded by Berklee's Video Services, collection highlights include: singer showcase concerts, commencement concerts, workshops, clinics, student recitals, commencement ceremonies, entering student convocations, and the dedication and grand opening of the Genko Uchida Building (921 Boylston St). For more information, please see the full collection's itemized finding aid.
About the 136 digitized items (1977-2004)
These video highlights present Berklee honorary degree recipients: influential musicians and music industry icons imparting their wisdom in memorable commencement and convocation speeches, unique performances, and master classes. Honorees featured in this special collection include: Al Jarreau, Alf Clausen, B. B. King, Billy Joel, Billy Taylor, Bob Moog, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Chick Corea, David Bowie, Dizzy Gillespie, Gary Burton, George Martin, Henry Mancini, Herb Alpert, Herb Pomeroy, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, James Taylor, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Paquito D'Rivera, Pat Metheny, Patty Austin, Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Phil Ramone, Sting, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Wayne Shorter.
Accessing the digitized collection (1977-2004)
All 136 digitized items may be viewed on-site and by appointment at the Berklee Archives, while the 33 commencement and convocation speeches have been excerpted and may be streamed below. Click here for a full list of available items (1977-2004). To schedule an appointment, please email archives@berklee.edu or call 617-747-8001.
Available online: commencement and convocation speeches
33 items-
featuring honorary degree recipients Herbie Hancock and Paul Simon
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featuring honorary degree recipients Matt Betton and Raymond Kurzweil
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featuring honorary degree recipients Art Blakey and Phil Ramone
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featuring honorary degree recipients Dave Grusin and Joe Williams
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featuring honorary degree recipients Dizzy Gillespie and George Martin
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featuring honorary degree recipients Percy Heath, Milt Jackson, Connie Kay, and John Lewis.
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featuring honorary degree recipients Jack DeJohnette, William Stanley, and Willis Conover
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featuring honorary degree recipients Jerry Goldsmith and George Benson
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featuring honorary degree recipients Ahmet Ertegun, Al Jarreau, [and] Phil Collins
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featuring honorary degree recipients Peter Erskine and Frances Preston
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featuring honorary degree recipients Bonnie Raitt and Joe Smith
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featuring honorary degree recipients Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, Cheryl Bentyne, and Michael Greene
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Karl Bruhn lecture and ceremony
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featuring honorary degree recipients Billy Joel and Johnny Mandel
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featuring honorary degree recipients Oleta Adams and Amar Bose
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featuring honorary degree recipients Sting and Nancy Wilson
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featuring Alan Silvestri, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman
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featuring honorary degree recipients Natalie Cole, James Taylor, and Herb Pomeroy
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featuring honorary degree recipients Alf Clausen and Horace Silver
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featuring honorary degree recipient Arif Mardin
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featuring honorary degree recipients Pat Metheny and Patti LaBelle
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featuring honorary degree recipients Chick Corea, Andraé Crouch, and Henry Mancini
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featuring honorary degree recipients Bruce Cockburn and John Scofield
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featuring honorary degree recipients Joe Lovano and Vito Pascucci
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featuring honorary degree recipient Carly Simon
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featuring honorary degree recipients Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, and Robert Morgan
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featuring honorary degree recipients David Bowie and Wayne Shorter
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featuring Jennifer Holliday and Steve Vai
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featuring honorary degree recipients Herb Alpert, Patti Austin, and John Sykes
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featuring honorary degree recipients Elvin Jones and Al Kooper
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featuring honorary degree recipients William M. Davis, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, and Larry Linkin
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featuring honorary degree recipients Patty Larkin and Robert Moog
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featuring honorary degree recipients David Foster and Shirley Horn