Composers Cookoff 2021

December 5th, 2021 1 pm
Vino Veritas Wine Bar & Bottle Shop

In a hybrid in-person and livestream event, two composers, Kerry Politzer and Justin Copeland, will head off in a friendly competition—who can create the most delicious, the most delightful, the most delectable new composition using the secret ingredient, Billy Strayhorn's tune "Rain Check." We chose this year's ingredient because it has a hooky, memorable melody, and the title playfully reminds us of all the activities on which we've had to take a rain check, postponing until later.

Offering their critique will be jazz community celebrity judges PJCE founding Executive Director Andrew Oliver, intrepid saxophonist Mary-Sue Tobin, and drummer/saxophonist Machado Mijiga, who was the crowd favorite contestant from Composers Cookoff 2020. Performing these new creations will be a trio led by George Colligan on piano, with Ryan Meagher on guitar and a bass player.

We've set a goal to raise $5,000 at this event from our sponsors, the silent auction, the raffle, and from additional contributions made by our donors in the room and watching from home. Thanks so much for your help in helping us meet and hopefully exceed this goal!