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. Learn more at https://www.jazz4justice.com/.
Jazz4Justice History
Jazz4Justice is the brainchild of Fairfax, Virginia, attorney Edward L. Weiner, conceived in 2000 while he attended a Jazz recital by the George Mason University (GMU) School of Music. He was very impressed by the music, but distressed by the small audience. As a Past President of the Fairfax Law Foundation (FLF), he saw an opportunity for these two organizations to work together on a mutually beneficial project that would also strengthen connections with the local community. Professor Jim Carroll, Founder of Jazz Studies at GMU, partnered with Ed, and the first Jazz4Justice concert was held at GMU in 2002.
Jazz4Justice is truly a unique event. From the beginning, attorneys, judges, students, and fellow members of the Northern Virginia community have gathered in a friendly environment where Jazz admirers could congregate and celebrate their love for the music. Today, through partnerships with 6 universities and numerous local Bar Associations, over 60 Jazz4Justice concerts have been held across the Commonwealth: George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher Newport University, Northern Virginia Community College, the University of Virginia, and the University of Mary Washington. These concerts have raised over $600,000 for jazz programs and an array of educational and charitable legal services benefiting Virginia's local communities.