2023 Bitter Jester Winners & Musicians of the year
Pictured with our winners are Highland Park City Councilmen Jeff Hoobler (red shirt) & Andrés Tapia (black shirt) and First Bank of Highland Park Asst. Vice President Stacey Raven (beige shirt). The City of HP is a major supporter of the Music Festival; First Bank of Highland Park is our Grand Finale Prize Money Title Sponsor. Also pictured are BJMF Co-Emcee’s Meg Gruewald & Nicolas DeGrazia, (far left & far right, respectively).
2023 Grand Champions
Scorched Waves
2023 Runners-Up
Ur Mom
2023 Honorable Mention
Heat Above
2023 Musician of the Year Awards
This was the third year that the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts awarded individuals with beautiful custom made brass medallions designed by Christy Knapp & Nic DeGrazia and produced by Bennett Awards.
2023 Vocalist of the Year
Maura Wolf from Ur Mom
2023 Guitarist of the Year
Christian Keller from David’s House
2023 Bassist of the Year
Saul Dinauer from Fightin’ Bob
2023 Drummers of the Year
FIRST EVER TIE! - Brady Lott from Heat Above & Damian Kessler from Scorched Waves
2023 Michael Brook Outstanding Instrumentalist Award: Keyboardist of the Year
Jaren Wojcik from Fightin’ Bob
Special for 2023: MVP Judge
Awarded to John Blane for 17+ years of service!
Special Award from Elevator-a-GoGo ($15,000 Pro Media Package) awarded to Heat Above!
All 2024 Bitter Jester Music Festival Musicians of the Year and MVP Judge John Blane with Festival Founder Nicolas DeGrazia.
Special Award from Gremlen Studios (Full Album Studio Recording) awarded to Polly on the Wall!
People photography by Elliot Mandel.