Honoring a Berklee Great

Pianist Everett Dean Earl came to study at Berklee in 1953 (when it was called Shillinger House) on the GI Bill® after serving in World War II. Earl was already a professional musician when he entered. After graduating in 1956, he became a mainstay of the Boston jazz scene in the days of the Hi-Hat Club, Connolly’s, and Wally’s Paradise. Earl played shows with jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, and Sonny Stitt. He joined the Berklee faculty in 1961.

Through the years, Earl taught hundreds of piano students—among them Bruce Hornsby and Cyrus Chestnut. Many of his other students have enjoyed distinugished careers and several are current Berklee faculty members. Earl taught until shortly before his passing in 2002.

To honor his work at Berklee, an endowed scholarship has been established in his name. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Dean Earl Endowed Scholarship and continue the legacy of this Berklee great may send a check payable to Berklee College of Music to David McKay, 1140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215.