Jamaica Plain Resident Wins Blue Man Group 'Drum-Off'

Jamaica Plain, MA – Jamaica Plain resident Jarrell Campbell took first place in the Blue Man Group Boston "Drum-Off" and performed alongside the group at the Outside the Box music festival Saturday.

The 24-year-old Houston, TX native and current student at Berklee College of Music wowed the crowd during his two-minute solo performance. He won more than $6,000 in prizes, including a new DW drum kit, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and accessories, a Bluetooth speaker from AT&T and Blue Man Group tickets.

"Jarrell had the whole package," Scott Toomey, Resident Music Director of Blue Man Group Boston and one of the judges, said in a press release. "He moved through the different styles comfortably, got the crowd behind him, and had all the melodic elements. It was a tough call because all the drummers up there today were extremely talented, but Jarrell rose above the rest."

Campbell was one of five drummers to compete for the grand prize. The finalists were assessed on their musicality, ensemble capabilities, creativity and technical ability.

"I just feel grateful for this opportunity," Campbell said in the release. "I entered the competition because I thought it would be fun and it has been that and so much more. I’m just glad everyone enjoyed themselves and it’s been an amazing opportunity."

The competitors were narrowed down from a pool of more than 30 applicants. The five finalists had two rehearsals to learn new music so the winner could perform at the festival.

"This was the first year we had the winner perform with Blue Man Group and the band," Jonathan Screnci, Resident General Manager of Blue Man Group Boston, said in the release. "Jarrell rocked it up there and you could tell he was having a good time."

Photo courtesy of Blue Man Group Boston