Drummer Jacob secures first Barney Miller International Travel Award

Undergraduate drummer Jacob Brown is the recipient of the new Barney Miller International Travel Award.

Established by guitarist Dominic Miller and his family in honour of his father, this annual award offers young musicians a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the music and culture of Latin America.

Credit: Gordon Woolcock

Five students on our Popular Music degree programmes were nominated last year and after careful consideration, Jacob was selected to spend an invaluable week in Brazil or Argentina, where Barney spent almost 40 years of his life and where Dominic was born.

Dominic said: ‘Jacob’s application and videos really connected with me. It’s rare to find drummers in the UK who can groove like that. Ian Thomas and Phil Gould are two others that come to mind. I can easily see Jacob following in their footsteps and going very far, possibly even further with an experience like this…I’m intrigued to see what a trip to Brazil would do for him, and for the UK muso community as a whole. We need rhythm artists like Jacob and our family would like to play a small part in helping him take it to the next level. This is why I believe, for now, he is the candidate best placed to get the most out of this award.’

Jacob said: ‘I am so so grateful to receive the award, I’m not sure it’s properly set in yet! I think the trip will change my life completely and I can’t wait. I’m also such a big fan of Dominic’s so to have the opportunity come with compliments from him really did mean the world!’

Andy Stott, Head of Popular Music, added: ‘I’m delighted for Jacob – he is fully deserving of this wonderful award. I’m sure it will be a life enhancing experience for him and we a very grateful to Dominic Miller and his family for supporting the RNCM’s Popular Music students in this very special way.’

To read more about the award, click here.

6 January 2022