Summa Cum Jazz (1997)

Released in 1997, Summa Cum Jazz was the first disc of student music offered by Berklee with the support of a major record label. The BMG Jazz Foundations CD features performances and compositions by some of Berklee's most gifted students. "I knew I'd hear great playing when I first listened to the mixes," said Ron Sacks, Vice President of A&R Development for BMG Direct. "But I didn't expect the students' compositions and arrangements to display such a high level of maturity and originality. We're thrilled with the results."

Summa Cum Jazz was produced by then Music Production and Engineering Chair Bill Scheniman, known beyond the college for his work with Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, and Diana Ross; and was engineered by Associate Professor Carl Beatty, whose credits include albums for Bill Evans, Elvin Jones, Aretha Franklin, and the B-52s. Executive Vice President Gary Burton acted as executive producer. You may purchase Summa Cum Jazz from the BMG Jazz Club. Proceeds will provide four $5,000 scholarships to continuing Berklee students majoring in performance studies with an emphasis on jazz.