Darien-based Jazz Foundation Honors 4 Local Students Scholarships

Four students from the local area will receive scholarships from the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation at a ceremony June 7, 2018 at 4:00pm. The Darien-based foundation honors the legacy of the legendary jazz great, Gerry Mulligan, by helping students continue their musical studies.

Three students from Darien received a scholarship, certificate and album of Gerry Mulligan's during a ceremony at the Darien home, where Gerry Mulligan's music studio remains. The ceremony will be held on June 7, 2018. The three Darien High School students are: Doug Werner, Jack Armstrong and Jack Gabriel.

Additionally, the foundation has named the winners in its' 2018 "Gerry Mulligan Jazz Essay Contest." Three winning entries from high school and three university students have been selected. Hundreds of entries were received from all over the country. One Norwalk High School student, Soleil Londono, nabbed second place and will also receive $250 at the ceremony.

Franca Mulligan, President of the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation, says, "We are thrilled with the response to our contest, and so happy to recognize these deserving students. We passionately believe that music not only helps excel academically, but it also makes them better citizens."

The nationwide essay contest is held every April for Jazz Appreciation Month, Each year, the foundation offers several of Gerry's notable pieces that can also be downloaded by teachers and students - and free. In addition, young musicians join together in playing some of the legendary jazz great's most notable pieces on April 6, Gerry Mulligan's birthday. This year, hundreds of students participated nationwide.

While Gerry Mulligan had adoring admirers worldwide, one of his most famous fans was fellow saxophonist President Bill Clinton, who said: "Gerry truly made a difference during his lifetime. He was a brilliant innovator in the world of jazz, advancing and expanding his craft and leaving a powerful legacy that musicians and jazz lovers will long admire and study. He was an inspiration to me from the time I was a young man. No one ever played the horn like he did, an no one ever will again."

The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation has long been active in music education in the local area. The foundation provides a scholarship to a Juilliard Jazz student each year. The foundation also helped fund the KEYS program in Bridgeport and recognizes local musicians each year.

To learn more about Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation, please visit http://www.gerrymulligan.com. The Library of Congress serves as the repository for the Gerry Mulligan Collection: https://www.loc.gov/collection...

PHOTO: Norwalk High School Student, Soleil Londono, Darien Student Jack Armstrong, Franca Mulligan, Darien Band Director Jon Grauer, Darien students Doug Werner and Jack Gabriel