Winners Announced in 2023 Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge

Fairfield, Connecticut Student Wins Top Prize & New Selmer Saxophone Valued at $3,000 donated by the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation

DARIEN, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES, May 3, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — 2023 GERRY MULLIGAN’S JAZZ CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

CONNECTICUT STUDENT WINS GRAND PRIZE & NEW SELMER SAXOPHONE

The Gerry and Franca Mulligan Foundation has named the winners in its’ 2023 “Gerry Mulligan’s Jazz Challenge.” Yegor Noskov, of Fairfield, Connecticut, was selected as the top winner and has received a new Selmer saxophone valued at $3000.

The 18-year old Senior from Fairfield Ludlowe High School will attend the Manhattan School of Music in the fall, majoring in jazz studies. He says he loves the new Selmer saxophone which he was awarded for his grand-prize performance. The contest is open to high school musicians from all over the country and awards grants up to $500 plus high-quality saxophones.

Gerry Mulligan, who lived in Darien, is known as one of the greatest baritone saxophonists in history and Noskov says he hopes to follow in his shoes. “I aspire to play as tastefully as Gerry, and I wish all modern jazz musicians could. I am so grateful to be awarded this prize.”

Each year, the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation sponsors the “Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge.” The Foundation provides free copies of one of Gerry’s compositions and students are asked to submit a performance on YouTube. A select group of professional musicians judges the high school musicians on sound, technique, intonation, and presentation. Noskov received the highest points in the nation for his performance which judges say had “passion, incredible talent, and a maturity that isn’t found in such young musicians.”

In addition to the Noskov, winners were selected from all over the country including Los Angeles, California; San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Washington, LaPorte, Indiana; Princeton, New Jersey; and Norwalk, Connecticut.

While Gerry Mulligan was known as one of the greatest baritone saxophonists in history, he was also known for donating his time to helping young musicians in need. As part of his legacy, the Foundation honors his wishes by holding the annual contest, providing grants, and free instruments to Adds Franca Mulligan, “Gerry would be so happy that we are introducing a new audience to jazz. With world events and COVID, it is more important than ever to give the gift of music. Music unites and heals.”

While Gerry Mulligan had adoring admirers worldwide, one of his most famous fans was fellow saxophonist President Bill Clinton, who said: “No one ever played that horn like he did, and no one ever will.”

About the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation: The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation is a 501(C)(3) charitable foundation, established to fulfill Gerry’s wishes to provide music education and free music to young musicians, donate musical instruments to inner city schools, and perpetuate the music of Gerry Mulligan. To learn how to donate and give the gift of music, log onto www.gerrymulligan.com

CONTACT: Mia Toschi, Executive Director [email protected] 203-524-2422

Mia Toschi
The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation
+1 203-524-2422
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