Join us for PJCE’s annual fundraiser in the style of “Iron Chef!”
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 Clay Giberson on piano, with Ryan Meagher on guitar and Bill Athens on bass.
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!
Event Details:
Sunday, December 5th, 2021
1 to 2:30 pm at Vino Veritas Wine Bar and Bottle Shop
7835 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
Tickets are $25 and include a glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres.
In-person tickets are available here, livestream tickets available here.
(PJCE Sustainer discounts do not apply to this event.)
The silent auction is available here.
All in-person participants will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and wear a mask while indoors.
Event Outline:
- 1:00 pm | Gather in the room, get a glass of wine and snacks, check out the silent auction and raffle
- 1:30 pm | The Cookoff begins! Our house trio will play a straight-ahead rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s “Rain Check,” followed by new pieces inspired by that classic tune by Justin Copeland and Kerry Politzer with commentary from our panel of celebrity judges
- 2:00 pm | Judges confer, participants make final bids on silent auction items, refill their wine glasses
- 2:30 pm | The “winner” is announced, prizes are awarded, and participants will have the opportunity to donate to move local, original jazz forward in 2022 and beyond! Guests are welcome to stay and socialize after the event concludes
Thanks to our sponsors!
