Bob Alexander of Elon won first prize and a grant of $500 from The Gerry and Franca Mulligan Foundation’s 2025 Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge.
High school musicians from all over the country competed in the annual competition and were judged by a team of professional musicians on sound, technique, intonation and presentation. Alexander received top scores from all the judges because of his performance.
Alexander is a junior at Western Alamance High School and says he has played saxophone since he was in sixth grade. He was greatly influenced by his dad who was also his band director.
In addition to playing soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, Alexander also plays the flute and clarinet.
“I grew up listening to Gerry and Birth of the Cool. He was a fantastic artist. I was overjoyed when I found out I did so well,” Alexander said.
And while Gerry Mulligan has many admirers worldwide, some of his most famous were Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts who credits Gerry for becoming a musician. Former President Bill Clinton was also a fan, who said, “No one ever played the horn like he did, and no one ever will.”
