The June 2010 issue of the country’s oldest jazz magazine praises SCS student Jared Mulcahy for his excellence on the bass.

Mulcahy, who will be a senior at Skaneateles High School next year, praises his school, his parents and the local jazz scene with helping to make his career one that keeps garnering national attention.

Downbeat magazine recognizes Mulcahy as one of five outstanding performances by a high school musician in the United States.  He is the only student from Central New York and the only bass player recognized in the annual issue which puts the spotlight on up-and-coming young jazz musicians.  It is the magazine’s 33^rd annual student music awards and jazz education achievement awards issue.

“Skaneateles has really fueled my success by supporting the school's music program,” said Mulcahy.   “Other influences have been from the incredible jazz educators and musicians that are around the Syracuse area.  It is a surprisingly hip city when it comes to jazz.  People like Angelo Candela and Joe Colombo really make it happen because they not only great musicians, but great educators.”

Candela, the high school band teacher, has been reading Downbeat magazine since he was a college student in the 1960s.  A professional musician as well as music educator, Candela has been mentioned in the magazine a couple of times himself; but that doesn’t match the thrill of having a student receive a top award.

“Jared is a talented and gifted bass player.  He is self motivated, which is what a standout in any field must be.  He has a natural affinity for the bass and music in general.  I've been a NYSSMA All State Jazz adjudicator for many years and can assure you that he ranks among the best musicians - not only bass players - that I have heard,” Candela said.

In addition to performing in a variety of groups at school, Mulcahy also performs at LeMoyne College, with the Young Lions from MPH and with the Salt City Jazz Collective (an adult band that includes Candela).

In 2007, Mulcahy won the "Junior High Soloist" award from Downbeat magazine. There were four students selected by recorded audition from the US to be honored in this category.

He comes from a musical family.  His father, Tim, calls himself a “recreational musician.”  His mother, Kristen Mulcahy, is a music teacher at State Street School in Skaneateles.  Kristen Mulcahy said she is proud of her son, and is also pleased with and proud of the great music program at Skaneateles which helped him become what he is today.

Patrons of SCS music events may also remember Jared’s sister, Rachel, who was a lead actress, singer and violin player while at SCS.  She is studying musical theater at SUNY Fredonia.  She is another student who greatly benefited from the musical opportunities here, said Kristen Mulcahy.

Mulcahy will attend the highly selective Brubeck Summer Colony for the second time this summer.  Only three bass players in the United States were chosen to attend.  He also will attend the prestigious Julliard Jazz Camp in Utah (July 11-18) for the first time. 

“It is the Julliard jazz workshop that is held in Snow, Utah,” he said. “I'm really looking forward to that especially because I have never worked with Julliard before and it is a conservatory I am considering.   It is quite an honor to play with the caliber of talent that the other selectees possess.  It is very humbling to be in the presence of such talent in other students and the instructors especially. These camps are great opportunities to make

Important connections for the future.”

Mulcahy said that despite difficult economic times, he hopes people will continue to support the music program.  “The continued support from the school is necessary to keep inspiring success for musicians in the school,” he said.