Bitter Jester Original Song Competition, 2020

- Preliminary Week Two -

June 8 - June 12, 2020

Every week in June, fourteen songs will be posted to Bitter Jester Music Fest social media. Judges will select one Finalist and you, the audience, will pick a “Fan Favorite” each week to advance to the Final Round!

Visit us on Instagram or Facebook to listen to this week’s music and CAST YOUR VOTE for “Fan Favorite” by liking the songs you think should move on.

Winners will be announced on Saturday, July 4!

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This Week’s Song Lineup:

BassJam by Venganza

Boom Ba Boom Diddy by Summer Drive

Burning Bridges by Monsoon

Canopies to Fountains by Blue Spring

Collapse by F.L.A.M.E.

Numb by Vinyl Courier

The Path by Peter Corasis

Numb Reality by Casey Hippel

Seven Stars by Fluctuation

Slouched by Shipwreck Kelly

Song for Fina by Gabriel Severn

Tear It Up by Quite Frankly The Band

Transitions by Through The Kitchen Hole

UGLY by Synesthesia

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This week’s Judge’s Bios:

(On mobile? Click the photo!)

Tristan Bushman

Tristan Bushman has quickly become one of the most talked about singer/songwriters after crashing into Music City.

Ashton, IL, is where Tristan was born and raised, surrounded by a musical family. His father Dave and his band would have Tristan join them on stage when he was only 5 years old. That lead him on his journey and now, at only 22 years old, he is a highly-respected songwriter, a true artist, a seasoned musician, and a captivating performer.

Not only does Tristan have the rare ability to level any room with his stunning lyrics, he delivers his prose with pure honesty, soaring melodies, and the richest tone. He has been gaining a loyal fanbase while catching the attention of the entire industry.

Quinn Carson

2009 Bitter Jester Grand Champion

Quinn grew up in a musical family in Chicago. His two brothers, his sister, and he all participated in their high school choir and music department and all went on to study music in college.

One of his brothers is a professional jazz musician and composer in Chicago and his second brother is a bass player who formerly played for the Alabama Symphony and is currently studying at USC Thornton School of Music.

Quinn received a degree in music composition and production from the University of Miami (also the alma matter of Bitter Jester producer Nicolas DeGrazia!). In his earlier years he and his brother played in a band, Maq, that won the Bitter Jester Music Festival in 2009.

After college he went on to work as a recording engineer at Interscope Studios in Los Angeles while continuing to write and produce his own projects. Quinn has since =moved on from a professional music career but continues to write and play songs with family and friends. He retains a great appreciation for genuine, passionate lyrics and honest, committed performances and wishes all the Bitter Jester artists good luck!

“I had the pleasure of participating in the Bitter Jester Music Festival as the winning band in 2009.

Even in those early years the music festival was so well put together and it was such a pleasure to work with Nic. He is so passionate and kind to the musicians he works with!”

— Quinn Carson

Gustavo Cortiñas

A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans (BM Jazz, Minor in Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, 2011), and Northwestern University (MM Jazz, 2013), Gustavo Cortiñas has developed a successful career in the US for over a decade, leading and accompanying ensembles in renowned stages and festivals in North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

“Cortiñas’ music is uplifting, robust, melodic, and gets your body moving; it’s an exciting blend of the artist’s musical influences from jazz and Latin American, including his native Mexico”

— Downbeat Magazine

Re: "Snapshot,” his 2013 record:

“A Smörgåsbord of the moods and nuances that make up the human experience... an idiosyncratic album that intrinsically fuses the personal to the universal.”

— Lissette Corsa, Jazziz Magazine

Re: "ESSE" (Origin Arts 2017):

“With the cohesive and captivating Esse, Cortiñas has created superb work that balances refreshingly inventive ideas with high-caliber musicianship. This exquisite and continuously gripping record is a testament to Cortiñas’ triple threat of skills as dynamic performer, agile bandleader and brilliant composer.”

— Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine

During his time in Chicago, Cortiñas has become one of the most sought out drummers, performing and recording with Kitt Lyles' Real Talk, Erik Skov's Liminality, Imagery Converter, Emily Kuhn's Helios, the Roy McGrath Quaret, and the Carla Campopiano Trio, among other ensembles.

Cortiñas is a member of the Chicago Jazz Composer's Collective, performing regularly for their monthly residency at Chicago's very own Green Mill. Currently, with a grant from the Mexican National Endowment of the Arts (FONCA), he is working on his third and most ambitious project as a leader: a musical journey which traces through thirteen compositions - the poetic and tragic history set by Eduardo Galeano in his book: The Open Veins of Latin America.

Chris Falcon

Chris Falcon is a fitness expert, small business owner, children's book author, newspaper columnist, artist, podcaster, community activist, and lover of deep dish pizza. He is also an extremely passionate motivational speaker. Chris believes that in order to reach your full potential you must be able to visualize not only the life you see yourself living, but how that life will positively impact the world.

Chris is the founder of Take No Bullying, a not for profit anti- bullying organization, as well as creator of Glenview Mentoring, a community based micro-mentoring resource for students. Chris has an undying belief in the power one person has to take control of their lives. He has spoken to groups of all ages about owning personal power, discovering your “Call to Action”, and the Art of Vision Creation.

Chris is able to capture the minds of everyone from young children to adults. His ability to connect with a wide variety of people on many levels has led him to be called the "Swiss Army Knife" of motivational speakers.

Chris is the inventor of the Ergopick, a guitar pick reimagined (coming soon!). He is a freestyle musician and songwriter who loves messing around on the piano and jamming with friends. More information at www.ChrisFalcon.com.

Nick Fleury

A self-taught guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and singer / songwriter, Nick hails from Highland Park, IL where he performed in the very first Bitter Jester Music Festival circa 2006 with his now legendary band Sad Panda. He jams often with his good childhood buddies with whom he's been singing forever. He wants you to feel good. And you will.

He went on to earn a bachelors degree in History at the University of Pittsburgh, all the while nurturing his musicality through labors of love, joining the prestigious Heinz Chapel Choir, and enlisting in the glam rock outfit Dazzletine.

Currently, Nick is the lead guitar installment and co-producer of the Chicago psychedelic group Head, who will be releasing two new records this summer. Check out one of their backyard performances here. Furthermore, he is in production of his debut solo project for which he is recording every instrument on 40+ new songs and planning to recruit a band for live shows.

As a solo performer, he pays much homage to the late 60's pop/psychedelic/folk scene, incorporating much Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel-esque tunes in his repertoire. After years of developing blending techniques in choirs, vocal harmonies are one of Nick’s fortes.

Having additionally taught himself piano, bass, and drums over the years, Nick has developed an interest in collecting as many instruments as he can and learning to play them or making new unique sounds with them. Nick is stoked to be participating in the 2020 Bitter Jester Original Song Competition as a judge and sends good vibes and encouraging wishes to all those involved!

Melissa Forman

Melissa Forman grew up in Northbrook where she attended Glenbrook North High School. She went on to graduate college from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2008 Melissa received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Glenbrook North where she was recognized for her leadership as an outstanding radio broadcaster and for her contribution to the community. She has been one of only a few women to lead a morning radio show and the first woman in the country to simultaneously host both a show in the morning and in the afternoon drive (at 93.9 WLIT-Chicago). She has also helped raise over $500,000 for local charities.

Melissa's radio career started in Champaign, Illinois where she worked as an intern and received her first break imitating Bart Simpson on Mix 94.5. That break led to an incredibly successful five-year, on-air teaming with her partner, Jerome Ritchie. She then moved to Cincinnati where she worked at Mix 94.1. In 1999, she moved home to Chicago where she worked at WKIE-FM 92.7/5 (KISS FM). In 2001 she started hosting morning drive at WLIT-FM 93.9 in Chicago until August of 2009 with a team she loved.

Her on-air radio adventures have taken her flying at six G's in fighter jets, hot air ballooning live on the air, sitting in 17,000 seats in chilly November at Memorial Stadium in order to raise money for a children's charity, and living in a shopping mall for four straight days.

Melissa joined WCIU-TV (The "U") to Co-Host "You & Me This Morning" in 2009 until 2017 with Jeanne Sparrow. She is now back hosting mornings on 93.9 WLIT (Lite FM) from 6-10am weekdays. She has 4 Kids, 2 dogs, 2 frogs, 1 husband and a cat. More information at www.MelissaForman.com.

Dana Lawrence Gillis

Dana is a performing singer-songwriter, recording artist, and Highland Park, IL native with over forty years of experience in music. Starting with classical violin at age two, Dana grew up playing in school orchestras and various bands at Lincoln Elementary, Edgewood, and HPHS, adding piano, percussion, and guitar along the way. Today she is a regular with her guitar on the local Chicagoland scene, playing and booking music at various venues, festivals, and corporate and private events.

Dana also founded tunes2teach.com, a preK-8 tutoring and education company in Highland Park, where she integrates music as one of her teaching methods. In 2013 she released the nationally acclaimed "Scientific Method Rap" on YouTube, which has since gone viral and is used in classrooms across the country.

She recorded her debut album "Easier" in 2001 with fellow Bitter Jester judge and mentor, musician/producer Suede Stout at Darwin Records. The album features local musicians including drummer Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey), Bassist Brett Simons (Brian Wilson, Melissa Etheridge, Might Blue Kings), Guitarist Arch Alcantara (Peat Moss), and more. The Chicago Tribune writes, "Dana Lawrence pulls listeners in with a dazzling smile and heartfelt lyrics, driven by blazing riffs on her acoustic guitar."

Visit www.DanaLawrenceMusic.com for more information about this incredible Bitter Jester Music Fest judge!

“If the Bitter Jester Foundation existed when I was growing up, who knows what I could have accomplished with my music.

The opportunities this organization provides for young musicians to hone their skills, develop their performance chops, and learn from professionals in the industry is invaluable.

I’ve been honored to participate as a judge in this competition, which creates an amazing platform. It’s been such a pleasure to see so many young musician go through the process from the first Battle to the Grand Finale.”

— Dana Lawrence Gillis

Ben Groth (aka "The Child of Eve")

Hailing from the tranquility of the midwest, The Child of Eve (Benjamin Jeffrey Groth) has studied his craft immensely and obsessively over the years.

“There has never been anyone like The Child of Eve.”

— AUX Chicago

A former competitor in the Bitter Jester Music Festival, he holds a special badge honor of being a solo performer who won his Friday Night, beating half a dozen bands - a particularly difficult task.

“A truly gratifying indulgence.”

— The ECC Observer

The Child of Eve is a herald of explorations, juxtapositions, and a master in isolation. Drawn by those who have beguiled him, he is knee deep in the progressive folk community, writing music and lyrics with such subtle melancholy that it will often leave you profoundly curious.

“Beautiful, thoughtful independent music.”

— The Deli Magazine

Mary Jo Papich

Mary Jo, known for her avid support and leadership in arts education, is Co-Founder and first president of the Jazz Education Network (JEN - read her letter of support for the Bitter Jester Music Festival). JEN is now in all states and 44 countries! She is the Founder/Artistic Director for Jazz Fests for school bands in New Orleans and Puerto Vallarta. Serving public school education for over thirty-five years, she recently retired as Fine Arts Director for Skokie D219-recognized as one of the finest HS Fine Arts program in the nation; she served eight years as Fine and Applied Arts Chair at Highland Park High School and coordinated FOCUS ON THE ARTS festival with hundreds of volunteers. While the district Fine Arts Coordinator of thirty-five schools in the Peoria Public School System #150 (’92-’01), she founded and directed the Peoria Jazz All Stars whose performances included Montreux, North Sea, and Umbria Jazz Festivals, IMEA Conference, American School Board Association Conference and many other state and local events. Prior to her administrative position, Mary Jo was an award winning band director at Peoria’s Woodruff High School (‘82-’92). Before leaving Peoria in 2001, she founded a District Preparatory Arts School at Peoria High School. Her early years of teaching were in rural Iowa, Ottumwa and Moulton-Udell K-12 public schools.

Her leadership/honor positions in addition to JEN include: Founder of the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival via HP Sister Cities Foundation, serving on the Artistic Access to Excellence Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts and as a member of the Quincy Jones Consortium, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Advisory Board, IAJE, past Illinois Music Educators Association Vice-President, and Highland Park Cultural Arts Commission, HP Public Art Committee, and many other arts organizations. MJ currently serves on the selection committee for the NARAS Grammy Music Educator of the Year award.

Mary Jo’s recent honors include receiving a Lifetime Jazz Education Achievement Award from DownBeat magazine, the Arts Inspiration Award from The Art Center, Superintendent’s Recognition Award, Character Counts Award, Huespid Distinguido from the Mayor in Puerto Vallarta and the Prestigious Women in Jazz Award from the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. Former awards include: PPS Superintendent's Award, and YWCA Leader in the Arts Award. HPHS Patrons of the Arts annually award a Highland Park High School student the M.J. Papich Leadership Scholarship. JEN has honored her with giving the Mary Jo Papich Women In Jazz Scholarship to deserving students at their annual conference. The national band sorority, Tau Beta Sigma, presented her with the Outstanding Service to Music Education award recently for her accommplishments.

She is the editor of The Jazz Educator’s Cookbook-Creative Recipes for Players and Teachers, a collection of performance tips from outstanding educators put in recipe format for quick reading. The Jazz Educator’s Cookbook is published by Meredith Music and distributed by Hal Leonard Music, proceeds go to Jazz Education Network

Mary Jo, a graduate of Truman State (MO) and Bradley University (IL) was raised in south central Iowa; graduating from Albia (IA) Community High School, where she was inducted in to the Hall of Fame. Her many presentations include: National Association for Music Education National Conference, many State MEA conferences, Midwest Clinic, IAJE Conferences, Siena Jazz Foundation (Italy), South African Jazz Conference (2008/2010) at the University of Cape Town, Brubeck Institute. Her professional affiliations include IMEA, NAfME/MENC, ASCD, Illinois Arts in Education Alliance, International Women in Jazz, National Association of Professional Women and International Society for Music Education. Papich's vision is that all children will know and appreciate the arts, especially their musical heritage of jazz.

“I have served as a volunteer judge and clinician for the event many times...

The Bitter Jester Music Festival has surpassed my expectations as it is likely the largest professional competition of its kind in the Midwest, possibly in the country.

Nic and his team produce an extremely professional festival.”

— Mary Jo Papich

Nathan Salstone

Nathan Salstone is a Northbrook native now living in New York as an Actor / Singer / Songwriter. His EP "Caroline & Me" marked his recording debut and consists of three tracks written and performed by Salstone on guitar. It’s available on all music streaming services.

He was a member of the Original Broadway Cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (along with fellow BJMF judge Jessie Fisher) and his regional theatre credits include Rags (Goodspeed Opera House), Floyd Collins (Front Porch Theatricals), and The Merchant of Venice & Carousel (Texas Shakespeare Festival).

Salstone has been seen numerous times at Feinstein's/54 Below, including his solo show debut "Selling Myself Short" in October 2018.

Salstone is a 2017 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama where he studied acting, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Follow him on Instagram @nathan_salstone.

Sam Subar

2014 & 2016 Bitter Jester Grand Champion

Picking up the instrument by ear at age 11, Sam Subar began to learn how to play drums by playing along to his favorite classic rock records. Through doing so, he gained a passion for music and became eager to expand his musical knowledge and rhythmic technique. Shortly after, Sam began to take drum lessons at The North Shore Music Institute. He did so under the instruction of Jim Hines (Brian Wilson). Through weekly lessons with Jim, Sam began to learn funk, jazz, rock and rudimental techniques. In high school, Sam was enthralled by the various musical opportunities offered. He became a percussionist in the Marching Giant’s drum line, Highland Park High School Jazz Ensemble, Honors Jazz Combo, and the Highland Park High School’s Wind Ensemble in which he toured China and received both the Most Improved Player Award and Woody Herman Jazz Award. Outside of school, Sam performed with his own Pop-Rock group, Xazz, playing at local Chicago venues like The House of Blues, Elbo Room, and Bottom Lounge. Additionally, the group released two all original EP’s in 2014 and 2015. Sam accredits many of his musical highlights during his teen years to the Bitter Jester Music Festival having been a Grand Champion as part of Xazz in 2014 and Caroline & The Priority in 2016.

In the summer of 2015 Sam deferred acceptance to Berklee College of Music in order to pursue the opportunity to play for viral sensation, Caroline Baran of Post Modern Jukebox, whom he still performs for on occasion. With Baran, Sam played around the Chicagoland area and toured Poland. In the summer of 2016 Sam began playing for his brother, Max Subar, a Chicago-based singer-songwriter. In addition to recording drums and percussion for his debut EP, In A Dream, Sam has played with Max throughout Chicago at venues like Schubas Tavern, Subterranean, The City Winery, and Space. He is also featured on Max's second EP, What The Story Says, released in the spring of 2019 and on Max's third EP to be released later this summer.

In 2016 Sam began attending Berklee College of Music on scholarship as a full-time student studying Professional Music with concentrations in Performance and Music Business. There he pushed himself within his craft and was lucky enough to perform and record with piano extraordinaire Jesus Javier Molina, The Bob Marley Ensemble, The Berklee Turntable Ensemble, Boston based Afro-Pop group Kina Zore, vibraphonist Colin Anderson, guitarists Gabe Childs and Hans Kristian Nordin, and singer songwriters Noah Kesselman and Corrina Tadros. He studied with the likes of Kenwood Dennard, Bob Gullotti, Steve Wilkes, Bob Tamagni, James Murphy, Jeffrey Lockhart and Dave DiCenso. During the summer of 2018, Sam traveled to Kenya with the non-for-profit organization Global Youth Groove along side a small group of Berklee students and faculty. There he had the opportunity to gig around the country. Additionally, he taught under-privileged youth and young adults whom he helped forge a relationship with Berklee to pursue higher educational opportunities within the U.S. In the spring semester of 2019, Sam received the Pro Music Academic & Performance Scholarship Award in recognition of his outstanding work within his studies and involvement on and off campus musically. In May of 2019, he graduated from Berklee. His experience culminated as a selected performer in the 2019 Berklee Commencement Concert at The Agganis Arena where he had the immense privilege of performing in front of students and their families, faculty, professors, and honorary doctorates Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, and Alex Lacamoire.

After graduating, Sam moved back to his hometown of Chicago where he currently pursues a freelance career in drum performance, production and instruction. Today his pocket centric style behind the kit roots itself in a variety of styles with genuineness and musicality always at the forefront.

“I feel immensely lucky to have been a part of two different groups that were selected as Grand Champions of the Bitter Jester Music Festival in 2014 & 2016.

As both a participant and winner of the festival, BJFA granted me with a variety of musical and interpersonal opportunities in the industry that will forever serve as major highlights at the onset of my professional career path as a musician.

I feel extreme gratitude for all of the selfless hard work Nic and the rest of the BJFA team puts forth to provide uniquely meaningful experiences for young musicians. ”

— Sam Subar

Ava Suppelsa

At just 22, Ava Suppelsa has a had a career that rivals songwriters twice her age. Growing up in a musically divided household, she was exposed to music ranging from old-school country to jazz and modern pop and those influences are evident in her diverse writing styles today.

Born and raised in Evanston, IL, Ava attended Interlochen Arts Academy at age 16 to study to study in their songwriting program. By 18, she had won national competitions for her work and performed at venues across the country. She decided to continue her studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After just two years at Berklee, she moved to Nashville to pursue writing full time.

Fast forward two more years, and Ava has already made a name for herself as one of Nashvilleʼs young rising songwriters. Her songs have been recorded by emerging artists such as Temecula Road (Hollywood Records), Austin Burke, Home Free (reaching #2 on the Billboard Country Charts), Dylan Rockoff, and more.

Her song credits have amassed over 13 million streams across music platforms have been featured on Spotifyʼs “Hot Country” playlist, Radio Disney Country, and Sirius XM The Pulse, to name just a few. She can be found writing and regularly playing Nashvilleʼs top writers venues.

In 2020, Ava signed a worldwide publishing deal with King Pen Music and Warner Chappell Nashville.

“Being in the Bitter Jester Music Festival was a great way for me to make contacts and gain exposure and performance experience while I was a high schooler!”

— Ava Suppelsa

Maddie Vogler

Maddie Vogler is a musician, producer, and educator in the Chicagoland area.

She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016 with a degree in Music Education. Maddie currently performs and records with a variety of performance groups in Chicago on saxophones, clarinet, and flute.

Maddie is the Assistant Director of Bands and jazz band director at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL, where she teaches alongside fellow Bitter Jester Judge and Director of Education, Michael Tseitlin.

She is also a 2019 Luminarts Fellow in Jazz Improvisation on Alto Saxophone.

John Williams

2013 Bitter Jester Grand Champion

John Williams is an accomplished guitar player and singer. He is also a former Bitter Jester Music Festival winner with his former band Van Buren & Wells in 2013 and three-time finalist in the event along with fellow Bitter Jester Judge Jackson Dreyer.

He has played guitar for 13 years along with a handful of other instruments including bass, drums, trombone, and piano. John has been singing and writing songs for as long as he can remember.

His alma mater is Adlai E. Stevenson High School and currently studies communications at UIC. His current band, Today's Trade, has played in venues all across the Chicagoland area and recently released their third EP titled "Revisited.”

“I’m excited to be a judge and I can not wait to hear all of the amazing talent out there. Good luck!”

— John Williams

Prize money generously provided by First Bank of Highland Park