share on:
Berklee images by Michelle Parkos
The commencement ceremony was held at the Agganis Arena in Berklee's home town Boston, Massachusetts. President Jim Lucchese and Interim Provost Ron Savage presented the honorary doctorates to multi-instrumentalist and producer Jacob Collier, singer-songwriter and actress Jill Scott, and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta '75.
Collier, a seven-time Grammy winner known for his joyous and genre-bridging music, was recognized for his ability to push the boundaries of what's possible and inspire people around the world. He encouraged graduates to trust those close to them, and to invest in the success of their fellow artists, a crucial part of finding one's own artistic voice.
Jill Scott, the three-time Grammy winner was lauded for her influence on soul, R&B, and Black storytelling, was presented her honorary degree by Arnetta Johnson BM '16, a mentee of Scott's who attended Berklee on a scholarship from her Blues Babe Foundation.
Vinnie Colaiuta | Berklee Commencement Address 2026
"Your future is not some product of circumstances that you can't control. You can make the environment that you wish. With all the tools and knowledge that you've accumulated and assimilated here, go out, go forth, and make it happen."- Vinnie Colaiuta
The annual commencement concert
A selection of Berklee's most talented vocalists, instrumentalists, arrangers, track producers, dancers, and visual artists paid tribute to the honorees by performing a selection of their biggest hits, including Scott's Golden, a medley of Collier's Time Alone with You and All I Need, and Santa Rosa, by Gino Vannelli, which featured Colaiuta on drums.
During the concert, Collier arranged a version of Billie Jean in real time with student performers while conducting his signature audience choir, totaling close to 7,000 participants in the arena. He also performed his song Something Heavy on piano, arranged and conducted by student Daniela Saglimbeni.
This year's honorary doctorate recipients were celebrated for cementing a place in popular culture as artistic innovators, unique creators, and arts advocates who continue to connect and inspire global audiences everywhere. Past recipients from the college include Duke Ellington (the first, in 1971), Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones '51, Celine Dion, B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Esperanza Spalding BM '05, André 3000, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, Ringo Starr, Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Roberta Flack, Juan Luis Guerra '82, Rita Moreno, Ledisi, Q-Tip, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Sara Bareilles, and John Legend.
About Vinnie Colaiuta
From the video description on YouTube:
Originally from Pennsylvania, Vinnie Colaiuta moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 1978 after attending Berklee College of Music. Just four months later, at age 22, he landed a breakthrough role with Frank Zappa, performing both live and in the studio. His work on Zappa's Joe's Garage (1979) was recognized by Modern Drummer as one of the top 25 drumming performances of all time. Following his time with Zappa, Colaiuta worked with Gino Vannelli, Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, Sting, and Chaka Khan, as well as jazz artists such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, and John McLaughlin. Throughout his career, he has recorded and performed with a wide range of artists across genres, including Jeff Beck, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen, Tori Amos, and many others. Since releasing a self-titled solo recording in 1994, he has become one of the most in-demand studio musicians, appearing on countless albums, film soundtracks, and TV and radio jingles.
Colaiuta has won 18 Drummer of the Year awards in Modern Drummer's Readers Poll, including 10 in the Best Overall category, and was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1996. The publication also cited him as the most important drummer of our time." Rhythm lauded Colaiuta as one of the 50 most influential drummers of all time, while Rolling Stone listed him among the 100 greatest drummers. In 2010, he received his first Grammy Award for his performance on Five Peace Band Live by Chick Corea and John McLaughlin.
