Berklee to honor Jill Scott, Jacob Collier, and Vinnie Colaiuta at 2026 commencement ceremony
Berklee College of Music will award honorary degrees to Grammy-winning artists Jill Scott, Jacob Collier, and Vinnie Colaiuta during its 2026 commencement ceremony.
The trio of stars will be celebrated for their contributions to the music industry at this year’s festivities, slated for 10 a.m. on May 9 at Boston University’s Agganis Arena. There will also be a student concert the night before, featuring a musical tribute to each of the honorees.
Scott, Collier, and Colaiuta aren’t the only celebrities coming to the Bay State this commencement season. Several other big names were tapped for graduation festivities, including Brookline native and former late-night host Conan O’Brien, who will deliver Harvard’s commencement speech on May 28. Meanwhile, former Disney icon Hilary Duff will give Northeastern’s address at Fenway Park on April 29, while acclaimed actor Henry Winkler will deliver the speech for Emerson’s commencement on May 9 at the Wang Theatre.
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Scott is a three-time Grammy winner, author, philanthropist, and podcast host. She released her 11th studio album, “To Whom This May Concern,” in February, which was her first in over a decade.
Collier is a seven-time Grammy winner and the first British artist to win one Grammy for each of his first five studio albums. Collier’s genre-bridging style has attracted several high-profile collaborators over the years, including Coldplay, SZA, and Shawn Mendes. Following Berklee’s commencement ceremony, Collier will return to Boston at the end of May for a two-night stint at Boston Symphony Hall May 27-28.
Colaiuta, a Berklee graduate himself, is a world-renowned drummer and has received 18 drummer of the year awards from Modern Drummer, with the magazine calling him “the most important drummer of our time.” Colaiuta has worked closely with artists across several genres, including Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, and Chaka Khan.
Scott, Collier, and Colaiuta join a star-studded list of Berklee honorary doctorate recipients, with previous honorees including music legends like Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Missy Elliott, and Gloria Estefan.
Gitana Savage can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @gitana_savage.
