Jamaica Plain Resident Finalist in Blue Man Group Boston’s Drum-Off

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Jamaica Plain resident Darryl Reberio competes in the semfinals for the Blue Man Group Boston Drum-Off.

A Jamaica Plain resident is one of five finalists who are performing in the Blue Man Group Boston's 4th Annual Drum-Off competition at the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival.

Jamaica Plain resident Darryl Reberio Jr. competes in the semifinals for the Blue Man Group Boston Drum-Off.

JP resident Darryl Reberio Jr. will perform in the competition on Sept. 30th at 2:20 pm at the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival. This competition showcases the best drumming talent in New England and the selected finalists will each perform a 3-minute solo jam session in front of the lively festival crowd.

The winner will receive more than $6,000 in prizes from Blue Man Group, DW, Sabian and Vic Firth. They're also have the chance to perform with Blue Man Group.

This years' finalists are: Euan Leslie, 18, attends Berklee College of Music, lives in Boston and is from Dumfries, Scotland; Tyler Pedersen, 23, lives and is from Marblehead, MA; Darryl Reberio Jr., 23, attends Berklee College of Music, lives in Jamaica Plain and is from New Britain, CT; Nick Villamizar, 22, attends Berklee College of Music, lives in Boston and is from Miami, FL; and Justin Winters, 21, lives and is from Springfield, MA

The competition will be judged by Blue Man Group performers and Charles Haynes, a Berklee-trained pop/R&B/jazz drummer who has performed with Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Queen Latifah and others. The winner will then participate in an encore performance with Blue Man Group to close the competition.

“This event highlights the unbelievable local drumming talent we have in this area,” said Jonathan Screnci, Resident General Manager, Blue Man Group Boston. “These five finalists were chosen for the creativity, technical ability and overall personality they brought to the stage and we’re excited to see them perform before the Berklee Beantown Jazz Fest audience at the end of the month.”

This year’s competition will be hosted by Chuck Clough and Ronnie Hirschberg, hosts of Above the Basement - Boston Music and Conversation, a Boston music podcast that has featured Don Henley, Jewel, Martin Sexton, Keith Lockhart and the Blue Man Group. Above the Basement is the official podcast partner for the 2017 Boston Music Awards.

Click here for the finalists solo jam submission videos.

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