article provided by Leah Concialdi, Americana Vibes

New York, NY (October 16, 2025) – Genre-defying funk powerhouse Lettuce has partnered with the nonprofit organization Music is a Language to launch a transformative new scholarship in the band’s name. This initiative will fund a full-tuition scholarship for a deserving student to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where the roots of Lettuce first took hold.

The Lettuce Scholarship aims to support young musicians from underserved communities who demonstrate exceptional talent, passion, and a commitment to their craft. By teaming up with Music is a Language—a nonprofit dedicated to providing access to music education for all—Lettuce is giving back to the next generation of artists and honoring the power of music as a universal language.

For the members of Lettuce, who met at Berklee as students in the 5-week summer program, this initiative is more than philanthropy—it’s personal. It represents a full-circle moment for a band whose career began in the hallways and jam sessions of the iconic institution. The band will be doing a directive of $1 from every ticket sold moving forward on newly announced dates, to go towards funding the scholarship, beginning with House of Lett, an intimate series of performances from the band to kick off the scholarship fund, taking place December 5-6, 2025, in Denver, CO, location to be revealed.

With only four shows and an extremely limited number of tickets available for each – less than 100 per show – this is a rare chance to experience Lettuce up close in a setting that shaped their sound. Each performance will be recorded live and thoughtfully curated to create a one-of-a-kind fan experience unlike anything the band has ever done before. Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy Lettuce’s signature wine, available for purchase during the shows. A portion of the proceeds from the bar sales at House of Lett will also be added to the scholarship fund.

Lucky fans will have access to purchase an All-You-Can-Lett Pass, which includes access to all four House of Lett shows, one year free membership to LettuceLive.Com partnered with Nugs.Net, wine tasting with the band & (1) bottle of each of the Lettuce wines to take home, a signed COOK vinyl & recipe book, pro shot photos with the band and a group photo posted to Lettuce’s social media after the event.

Speaking on the momentous occasion, Dean of the Professional Performance Division at Berklee College of Music, Sean Skete says “I first met Adam Deitch in the summer of 1992 during Berklee’s 5-Week Summer Performance Program. Even then, his passion, creativity, and command of the drums were undeniable. Since that time, Adam has gone on to become one of the most influential and innovative drummers of his generation—blending genres, pushing boundaries, and inspiring musicians around the world. The scholarship opportunity he is now offering is a beautiful full-circle moment. It reflects not only his generosity but also his deep commitment to the next generation of artists. This is a powerful way to uplift a deserving student and pay forward the kind of support that helps dreams take flight.”

The band’s Erick “Maverick” Coomes, while reflecting on his journey to this point, recalls “Lettuce was born in the basement of the dorm rooms at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. When we each as high school students decided to enroll at the 5 week summer program, our lives were unknowingly course corrected into an ensemble of true musical companionship and strong friendship that has become a source of joy to the entire world forever. The people you can meet and the experience that can be had attending this amazing institution has the potential to change the student and the world for the better. We are ecstatic to launch the Lettuce Scholarship.”

“We are thrilled to team up with Lettuce,” says Music is a Language’s Executive Director, Robert Korn. “It is only possible to achieve our goals and fulfill our mission with the support of musicians who believe in making a difference. We are grateful to begin this partnership and eager to raise funds to offer scholarships to students in need at the Berklee School of Music. We are excited for what the future holds and the opportunity to make a positive difference in this time of need.”

Lettuce is:

Adam Deitch: drums, percussion

Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff: guitar

Erick “Maverick” Coomes: bass

Ryan “Zoid” Zoidis: alto, baritone and tenor sax, synths

Eric “Benny” Bloom: trumpet, horns

Nigel Hall: vocals, Hammond B-3, Rhodes, clavinet, keyboards

Lettuce’s forthcoming album out December 3 on Lettuce Records, Cook, isn’t just a nod to Lettuce’s musical heat; it’s an invitation to join the band at the table, where funk, soul, jazz, rock, and hip-hop come together in one rich, flavorful dish. The album offers a menu of delights that marks a group exploring new sonic territory. On Cook, Lettuce has expanded its ever-widening musical palette again, following tours with both rap icon GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan and reggae legend Ziggy Marley. Earlier in the year, the band released the live album and concert film Lettuce with the Colorado Symphony. Still, there’s a generous dose of Lettuce’s patented funk, paying tribute to the great James Brown and his JB’s and honoring mentors like Tower of Power and Maceo Parker. For these six lifelong partners, the new songs feel like a nourishing meal that entices all of your senses.

“This record is a little more three-dimensional than our past albums,” says Deitch. “It shows a lot more sides to the band, exploring further depths of production and arrangements.”