Jazz Bassist Eddie Gomez Awarded Berklee in Valencia's First Honorary Doctorate

Legendary jazz bassist and Grammy Award-winner Eddie Gómez was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree at Berklee's campus in Valencia, Spain. This was the first-ever honorary doctorate granted at the college’s international campus. The award was presented by Larry Simpson, Berklee senior vice president for academic affairs, at a celebratory concert at the campus' Teatro Martin i Soler in the Palau de les Arts.

"I am profoundly proud to receive this honor from Berklee College of Music, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world,” said Gómez in his acceptance remarks. “Of course, I need to thank Mr. Roger Brown, Larry Simpson, Brian Cole, Matt Marvuglio, and Marco Pignataro for making this happen. It is a very special night.”

The concert starred Gómez performing alongside faculty and student musicians from Boston and Valencia. These included flutist and composer Matt Marvuglio, dean of Berklee’s performance division; saxophonist Marco Pignataro, managing director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute; bassist Steve Bailey, chair of the college’s Bass Department; guitarist and bandleader Dave Fiuczynski, professor of guitar; and vibraphonist and composer Victor Mendoza, director of the college’s master’s program in contemporary studio performance. The concert was produced by Marvuglio and Mendoza.

“Eddie is among the greatest living jazz musicians and a titan in the history of the jazz double bass. His music and technique has influenced jazz musicians and bassists from almost every genre,” commented Simpson. “He has also shown a serious commitment to education, dedicating time to teaching at institutions including the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music and Berklee, despite his very active performance schedule.”
 

Gómez has been on the cutting edge of music for more than four decades. Gómez is a native of Puerto Rico who was raised in New York City and graduated from Julliard. His resumé includes performances and recordings with jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, and Benny Goodman. His unique sound and style can be heard on many Grammy-=winning records as well as on hundreds of recordings spanning the worlds of jazz, classical, Latin jazz, R&B, pop, and contemporary music.  

Margot Edwards is a manager in the Office of Media Relations. Media inquiries: medwards@berklee.edu.