Blu Cava Endowed Scholarship

The Blu Cava Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarship support to students contributing to the School of Music and Dance by participating in an ensemble as a vocalist.

To apply for this scholarship, submit a General Application.

If you do not meet all of these requirements in a given term, you may lose your scholarship eligibility and your scholarship may be canceled.

Requirements:

• Recipients must be contributing to the School of Music and Dance by participating in an ensemble as a vocalist.
• Music and non-music majors are eligible.
• Undergraduates and graduates are eligible.
• Recipients must have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.50 out of 4.00, or the arithmetic equivalent.
• Recipients must be enrolled full-time.
• The scholarship is renewable. Prior recipients must reapply for consideration for a renewal award.

Donor Profile:

A San Diego legend and local entertainer for many years from the 1950s through the 80s, Blu’s vocal style was unique, emotive, and unequaled. She had a loyal following through the decades, performing locally at famous venues including the Hideaway Club in Hillcrest, Mission Valley Inn, Tops, Guys and Dolls, as well as other hot spots.

Blu was born Betty Lou Harriette Carlson on December 8, 1925, in Ray, North Dakota, and was one of six siblings of frontier, homesteading, Scandinavian parents. Her natural talent became evident early in her life, winning local talent contests beginning at age 5 and ending her time in North Dakota as Ray High School’s star majorette. Departing from Ray to San Diego in 1941 — the day after Pearl Harbor — were Blu’s mother Selma, along with Blu and her younger brother in tow. Entering San Diego High School, she quickly established herself as an exceptional student and vocal artist. As a big band vocalist with the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO), she could be seen singing to the troops as they were deployed from San Diego to the various theaters of WWII, and again, welcoming them home to the standards they longed to hear.

Her career as a singer became fully formed soon after high school graduation. She served as her own booking agent and played with big bands throughout the West and Northwest, settling for a while in San Francisco, CA as her base. Blu fell in love, married, and had a son, Jeffrey, in San Francisco in 1951. Her life’s journey took her and Jeffrey back to San Diego where she spent the next 60 years raising her son, singing with top bands, and eventually becoming a successful realtor for over 35 years. There are few people who are truly American originals, but Blu Cava satisfied all the requirements and then some.

Blu passed away peacefully on February 22, 2016. She is survived by her son Jeffrey, his partner Angie, dear nephews and nieces, and many loyal friends.

We invite you to enjoy recordings from Blu Cava.