Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation Issues ‘Jazz Challenge’

By DownBeat I Feb. 17, 2026

For this year’s Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge, students can submit a video recording of “Outback Of The Barn” on the instrument of their choice.
(Photo: Carol Friedman)

The annual Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge has been announced by the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation. This year, high school musicians are being asked to upload a solo performance video playing one of Gerry Mulligan’s most famous compositions, “Outback Of The Barn.” The contest, which started accepting submissions on Feb. 1, runs through March 30. Winners will be announced on April 6 in honor of Mulligan’s birthday and Jazz Appreciation Month.In addition to lead sheets for students, there will also be free charts and an educational video available for teachers. Melody and chords are provided so high school musicians can learn and perform the song regardless of what instrument they play.

While Mulligan (1927–’96) famously popularized the use of the baritone saxophone as a solo instrument, students can submit “Outback Of The Barn” on the instrument of their choice. High school musicians must upload their recorded solo video on YouTube and share the link in their entry form at gerryandfrancamulliganfoundation.org. A team of professional musicians will judge the submissions on sound, technique, intonation and presentation. Judges must be able to see contestants’ hands in the videos.

“This is an exciting time of year for the foundation because we can introduce a new audience to Gerry’s music,” said Franca Mulligan, president of the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation. “He would be so pleased.”

The grand prize of a Selmer saxophone will be awarded for the best entry. Thousands of dollars in grants will also be awarded to first- and second-place winners. And, new for this year, the teacher who has the most students submit performances will receive a new Conn-Selmer alto saxophone valued at $3,000.

Saxophonist Sam Chung, winner of the 2025 Jazz Challenge, said, “I won a Conn-Selmer baritone saxophone last year and it changed my life. I use the instrument every day in my musical studies at Boyer College of Music at Temple University. The Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge is an incredible platform for students to study Gerry’s legacy and have access to his music. I will forever be grateful.”

As a composer, arranger, baritone saxophonist and bandleader, Gerry Mulligan remains a jazz legend. The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation is a 501(C)(3) charitable foundation, established to fulfill Mulligan’s wishes to provide music education free music to young musicians in need, to donate musical instruments to inner city schools and to perpetuate Mulligan’s music. The Library of Congress serves as the repository for the permanent Gerry Mulligan Collection. DB