GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY’S
REVA AND SID DEWBERRY FAMILY SCHOOL OF MUSIC PRESENTS
THE 23rd ANNUAL JAZZ4JUSTICE™ CONCERT: ELLA AND COLTRANE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
FEATURING A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
AND LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
“I WANT TO BE A FORCE FOR REAL GOOD. IN OTHER WORDS, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE BAD FORCES, FORCES THAT BRING SUFFERING TO OTHERS AND MISERY TO THE WORLD, BUT I WANT TO BE THE OPPOSITE FORCE. I WANT TO BE THE FORCE WHICH IS TRULY FOR GOOD.”
—JOHN COLTRANE
(FAIRFAX, VA)—George Mason University’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music presents the 23rd annual Jazz4Justice™ concert and fundraiser on Friday, November 22 at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts. The event raises funds to directly support vital legal services for low-income Northern Virginians, as well as financial support for the Mason Jazz Studies department, including scholarships, trips, recordings, and student projects. This year’s concert will feature the Mason Jazz Ensemble (Director, Jim Carroll); the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble (Director, Darden Purcell); and special guest conductor and performer, George Mason alumna and Miss Virginia 2024 Carlehr Swanson. Information and tickets are currently available on the Center for the Arts website.
James Carroll, Professor of Jazz Studies and Mason Jazz Ensemble Director, states, “And so it goes with our 23rd annual Jazz4Justice™ concert. We want to be a ‘force which is truly for good’ by once again teaming up with Legal Services of Northern Virginia. The concert will feature the George Mason Vocal and Instrumental Jazz Ensembles in celebration of the music of Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane.”
George Mason University Director of Jazz Studies Darden Purcell adds, “Funds raised from this year’s concert will help finance student projects this year, including a presentation at the American Choral Directors Association national conference in Dallas, Texas as well as a European trip to perform at the Umbria Jazz Festival in France and Italy in summer 2025. With the support of Jazz4Justice™, the student experience within Mason Jazz is taken to a higher level and we are forever grateful for this partnership!”
Jazz4Justice™ is presented in partnership with Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV), a nonprofit legal aid organization that has served the region for more than 40 years. LSNV is the largest legal aid organization in Virginia and assists thousands of clients every year. “I look forward each year to partnering with Jazz4Justice™, as well as the entire Mason community, to open doors to justice by providing civil legal assistance to those facing the loss of a critical need,” affirmed Marcy Kossar, Director of Development for LSNV.
Tickets to the concert at the Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA) are available at the Ticket Office (open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to ticketed events), by calling 703-993-2787 or visiting cfa.gmu.edu.
The most up-to-date details for what to expect when attending performances at the Center for the Arts are available on the website.
About Jazz4Justice™
For over 20 years, Jazz4Justice™ concerts have benefited local communities while providing high quality musical entertainment at concert halls, parks, and independent venues across the Commonwealth of Virginia and District of Columbia. To date, over 70 Jazz4Justice™ concerts and festivals have raised over $700,000 for much needed pro bono legal services, Jazz programs, and music scholarships. Jazz4Justice™ is a 501(c)3 public charity and has received awards from the American Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. Jazz4Justice™ is financially assisted by a generous grant from the Virginia Law Foundation. The Virginia Law Foundation promotes through philanthropy the rule of law, access to justice and law-related education. Jazz4Justice™ is funded in part by ArtsFairfax. www.jazz4justice.com.
About the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
The Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Students study with nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are active performers, conductors, composers, music theoreticians, historians, and music teachers. Admission is based on acceptance to the university and audition. The music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). music.gmu.edu.
About Mason Arts
Mason Arts encompasses the seven academic programs of George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, seven community arts programs, seven galleries, the Center for the Arts, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and the digital venue, Mason Arts Amplified. The fusion of academic and professional work on campus and throughout the community is the hallmark of Mason Arts and collectively it creates the largest arts presence in Northern Virginia. The college is home to the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music, the Schools of Art, Dance, and Theater, as well as programs in Arts Management, Computer Game Design, and Film and Video Studies. The college prepares students for careers as creators, performers, teachers, scholars, arts leaders, and arts entrepreneurs, and provides them opportunities to perform, create, and exhibit their work in the wide variety of Mason Arts venues. cvpa.gmu.edu.
About George Mason University
George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, is located near Washington, D.C., and enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. www.gmu.edu.
About Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV), a private, not-for-profit organization, offers free legal services to low-income individuals and families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and victims of domestic violence residing in Northern Virginia. With 7 offices located throughout the region, LSNV opens more than 5,000 annually benefiting approximately 15,000 individuals and providing assistance in several substantive areas including family law, housing law, consumer law, public benefits, veteran’s affairs, employment law, elder law, child advocacy and education law focusing on children with special needs.
Never before has the need for community support been greater or more important than now as we battle the injustices faced by low-income persons every day. LSNV’s mission could not be accomplished without the generous support of the Northern Virginia community. We thank you for your support and invite you to learn more about how we benefit the community at www.lsnv.org.
For more information, please visit:
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
#MasonArts
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Press ContactS:
Marcy Kossar
Director of Development
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV)
Camille Cintrón Devlin
Public Relations Consultant
Center for the Arts | Hylton Performing Arts Center
Many thanks to the sponsors of Jazz4Justice at the Center for the Arts!
