You are invited! Jazz4Justice presents the amazing Warren Wolf on Thursday, December 5th at Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax at 9650 Main Street, Fairfax VA. We will have light hors d'oevres starting around 6:30, and then the concert starts at 7:30. Tickets are $20 and include free food and a chance at door prizes.  You may purchase tickets from the Cinema Arts website or from their box office on site.  Following intermission, there will be a community jazz jam hosted by the Jazz4Justice All Stars. Warren Wolf will be joined by Alex Browne on Bass and Julian Berkowitz on Drums. Get your tickets while they are still available!

The Jazz4Justice December concert is designed to thank our volunteers for their service and to share stories about how their good work impacts the community.

About Warren Wolf

Warren Wolf is a multi-instrumentalist from Baltimore, Maryland.  

Warren is an International touring musician and has performed throughout the United States of America, South America, Canada, Italy, Spain, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Scotland, London, Greece, Singapore, Thailand, Jarkata, Bangkok, Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and many other countries.

Warren has made ten recordings, most notably for Mack Ave Records. Warren is a member of the SFJAZZ Collective and Christian McBride & “Inside Straight”. Warren is a faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD & the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, CA.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts for underwriting the December Concert. Many thanks to Weiner Spivey and Miller PLC for their in-kind contributions to Jazz4Justice.  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.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts for underwriting the December Concert. Many thanks to Weiner Spivey and Miller PLC for their in-kind contributions to Jazz4Justice.  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.

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

# # #

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!

The 4th Annual Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown’s Park will take place on Labor Day, September 2nd, 2024 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. to celebrate Labor Day for all Americans while supporting Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) in its initiative for economic justice and labor rights.  The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required to view the performance.  Bring your own chair and blanket to sit on the lawn and enjoy the wonderful music, raffle, and door prizes.

The event will begin with a performance by the award winning Meridian High School Jazz Combo, directed by Mary Jo West.  Then special guest jazz flute virtuoso Doug Gately, the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Mary Washington, will join the Jazz4Justice All Stars on stage for a performance followed by a community jazz jam.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park in the free green parking spaces located in the parking lot behind Mr. Brown's Park.  Alternatively, it is about a mile from the East Falls Church Metro (Orange or Silver Line).  Mr. Brown's Park is ADA compliant and handicap accessible.

About Doug Gately

Doug is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Mary Washington. He is the conductor and director of the UMW Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Flute Ensemble and various Chamber Music groups. He is the principle instructor of applied studies in flute, clarinet, saxophone, and jazz piano. He has toured and performed throughout the United States, South America, and Europe.  Credits include performances with numerous “name artists” including Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Dizzy Gillespie, Henry Mancini, Jon Faddis, Louis Bellson, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, the Temptations, Mathew Morrison, Seth McFarlane, Patti Labelle, Gregory Porter, Michael Feinstein and many other Jazz Artists.  Doug was also a former member of the U.S Air Force's Premier Jazz Ensemble, the Airmen of Note.  He is currently an adjunct with the National Symphony Orchestra, an MITP Artist/Clinician, and an Artist/Clinician for KHS America (Jupiter Flutes). Doug is an active jazz pianist, composer and arranger and leads his own Trio.  More information can be found at douggately.com.

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 60 Jazz4Justice™ concerts and festivals have raised over $600,000 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 Legal Aid Justice Center

The Legal Aid Justice Center partners with communities and clients to achieve justice by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty. Justice means racial justice, social justice, and economic justice.

Achieving justice means:

·         Integrating individual representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and organizing strategies.

·         Working in and with communities.

·         Identifying and addressing root causes while mitigating acute impacts.

·         Expanding impact in an effort to reach all Virginia communities.

Racial justice means:

·         The proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all. (Source: Shriver Center Racial Justice Institute)

# # #

Press Contact

Shannon Gunn, Artistic/Executive Director, Jazz4Justice

The event will begin with a performance by the superb Project Locrea, a global jazz-fusion ensemble dedicated to creating and performing original compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by folk music of different countries. Check out Project Locrea below!

Jazz4Justice at Eva Walker Park to Help Close the Justice Gap

Alexandria Pike & North Street, Warrenton, VA 20186
Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 1 – 3 p.m.

(WARRENTON)— Jazz4Justice will take place on Saturday, April 20th from 1 - 3 p.m. at Eva Walker Park to support Legal Aid Works and help close the Justice Gap.  The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required to view the performance.  Bring your own chair and blanket to sit on the lawn and enjoy the wonderful music, raffle, and door prizes.

The event will begin with a performance by the superb Project Locrea, a global jazz-fusion ensemble dedicated to creating and performing original compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by folk music of different countries.  Then the Jazz4Justice All Stars will play a short set followed by the community jazz jam where everyone is welcome to sit in on the bandstand.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park in the free along Alexandria Pike.  Eva Walker Park is ADA compliant and handicap accessible.

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. This event is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Many thanks to Dulaney Lauer Thomas for their sponsorship.

About Legal Aid Works

Legal Aid Works® is a non-profit corporation that provides free, high-quality, civil legal assistance to low income individuals and families.

Did you know that there is no right to a free attorney when you are poor and face a civil legal matter?  That right to a free lawyer is guaranteed only if you are charged in a criminal matter.  So every day, all across the country, low-income people have to handle their legal matters on their own, even when the other side is represented by an attorney. We, at Legal Aid Works® try to level the playing field so everyone is given a fair shake in the civil justice system.

Since 1973, we have been proudly providing free, high-quality civil legal services for low-income citizens in 16 counties and the City of Fredericksburg. We are the only agency that offers this service for the 16 surrounding counties and the City of Fredericksburg.

The annual CNU Jazz4Justice concert and fundraising event is presented in partnership between the Newport News Bar Association and the CNU Jazz Program.

“Social Music”

Featuring the CNU Jazz Ensemble and special guests, The Fuzz Band and alumni musicians.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Ferguson Center for the Arts
7 p.m.

Proceeds from this fundraising event are divided equally between the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia and the CNU Jazz Program.

This year’s program is presented in conjunction with the Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference, April 9-10, 2024.

About Legal Aid

Founded in 1966, the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV) provides free legal assistance to low-income households in Hampton Roads in a variety of crucial civil legal matters. We defend community members facing eviction, advocate for disabled children in special education matters, assist survivors of domestic violence in obtaining protective orders, connect homeless families with public benefits and housing, help seniors with wills and advance medical directives, and meet numerous other civil legal needs faced by those in poverty.

Tickets and details: https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-ensemble-spring-2024-concert

On Saturday, April 6th, at 8:00 PM in Old Cabell Auditorium, the UVA Jazz Ensemble, directed by John D’earth, will present their spring 2024 concert The Original JazzManiac featuring D’earth’s longtime friend and collaborator, baritone saxophonist Glenn Wilson. John and Glenn have been playing together for decades, first, as band mates in Doug Richard’s celebrated GAME Orchestra (Great American Music Ensemble) and as collaborators on their own projects through the years. In 2012 they released a live album, Timely, on CADENCE JAZZ RECORDS. Both are veterans of the Buddy Rich and Lionel Hampton big bands.

Glenn lived in Richmond for many years and was a vital part of the Central Virginia jazz scene. He fronted The JazzManiacs, a band he co-led with pianist Steve Kessler, hence the title of the concert.

“Glenn is one of the greatest improvisors I know,” says D’earth.  So much of what jazz improvisors play is learned and recited in re-combinations.  It is rare when a player truly improvises, when ideas and execution stay fresh at every moment. Glenn is one of those players. I want to expose my students, not just to his expertise, but to his artistry.”

The concert will feature a mix of classic and progressive titles. Chestnuts like Angel Eyes, featuring lead alto saxophonist Connor Rose, and Dizzy Gillespie’s Salt Peanuts will keep company with D’earth’s arrangement of Charles Mingus’ Reincarnation of a Lovebird, and Glenn Wilson’s arrangement of Devil May Care, a vocal tune featuring fourth year singers Anna Yankowski and Catalina Cueto.

“Followers of the band will notice that our trombone section is five-strong this year and extremely competent and solid!” D’earth said.  “We will feature them in the admonitory jazz-education polemic, Keep it Simple!”

A highlight of the evening will be the ensemble’s performance of Epiphany, the first big band composition/arrangement by first year guitarist Grant MacMillan.  “Grant is full of talent and ambition,” says D’earth.  “His first attempt at writing for us in a highly evolved and extremely challenging piece of music; we love it! I think people will be amazed when they hear it!”

This concert will be the Jazz Ensemble’s 6th partnering with Jazz4Justice, a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness of Legal Aid through support of collegiate jazz concerts.  The UVA Jazz Ensemble welcomes and endorses their efforts to strengthen Legal Aid which works for equal access to the court system for all citizens.

The UVA Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of trumpeter/composer John D’earth, has become one of the more creative college big bands in the country. The group’s performances feature classic repertoire from across the spectrum of jazz history, jazz arrangements of music from diverse genres, and original compositions and arrangements by the students and the director.

The ensemble comprises of undergraduates, graduate students, and community members. They offer two concerts per academic year and present numerous guest artists from our area, and from the national and international jazz scene.

Giving two major concerts a year in Old Cabell Auditorium and various extra performances, the Jazz Ensemble is an extended big band that includes flutes, vocalists, and, sometimes, other instruments not normally associated with big band music. 

The Jazz Ensemble encourages its members to immerse themselves in the art form called jazz, to understand its history, and to listen, repeatedly, to the music. Jazz, and the blues from which it sprang, are both gifts from Black America to the rest of the world. Jazz gives music back to the musicians by teaching two things: 1. master musical language on your instrument, and 2. Tell your own story; “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken,” as Oscar Wilde exhorted. The UVA Jazz Ensemble avidly pursues these twin goals of expertise and creative expression.

The UVA Jazz Program focuses on developing the individual voices of our jazz students. It follows the Duke Ellington model of how to build a jazz orchestra: allow and encourage the distinct musical personalities of the musicians to create the overall sound and direction of the music.

John D'earth is the University of Virginia's Director of Jazz Performance. John D’earth plays trumpet with a striking, original sound and a technique that he mobilizes for spitfire improvisation and gripping melodies. A consummate jazz artist, composer, and gifted educator, he draws inspiration from collaborators on the bandstand, from students, and from nature. Internationally known for his contributions in straight-ahead jazz (D’earth served as foil to guitarist Emily Remler, added brawn to the George Gruntz Big Band, and played on Bob Moses’ early recordings) he exhibits omnivorous musical tastes including free improvisation, mainstream rock, and modern classical music. Since he joined the musicians union at age fourteen this wildly eclectic musician has performed across the globe. He appears on over 100 recordings on vinyl, CDs, film, and video in a career that spans the analogue and digital eras. Despite a commanding musical presence he possesses an uncanny ability to bring out the best in musicians with whom he shares the bandstand. All of this is evident on his newly released album, Coin Of The Realm, (Cosmology Records 2023). This song cycle of originals, recorded with his long-standing quintet, reveals a musician who, in his seventies, is still evolving and very much in his creative prime. Find out more about John D'earth here.

To find out more about Jazz events at UVA, visit https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-events.

Tickets are $10 for the general public,  $9 for UVA Faculty & Staff,  $5 for students, and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the UVA Arts Box Office, on-line at https://artsboxoffice.virginia.edu/, by phone (434) 924-3376 or in person at the Arts Box Office or at the door on the night of the concert. The UVA Arts Box Office is located on the John and Betsy Casteen Arts Grounds, inside the lobby of the UVA Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road. For directions, please visit UVA Visitors Map or view directions via Google Maps.

Old Cabell Hall is located on the south end of UVA’s historic lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda (map). Parking is available in the central grounds parking garage on Emmet Street, in the C1 parking lot off McCormick Rd, and in the parking lots at the UVA Corner. Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to Bryan Hall.

All programs are subject to change.

Contact UVA Music for more information (434.924.3052 or music@virginia.edu).

You’re invited to the VCU and Greater Richmond Bar Foundation’s 10th Annual Jazz4Justice™ Concert!  Jazz4Justice acknowledges the Justice Gap that still exists while showcasing great Jazz music by VCUarts Jazz Studies students.

This year’s concert features two-time GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and activist René Marie with the VCU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz4Justice Scholarship Sextet.  The program includes swing classics and the premiere of exciting new big band arrangements of René’s songs by VCU Jazz Faculty Taylor Barnett, Antonio Garcia, Trey Pollard, and Doug Richards.

The concert will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the VCU Singleton Center.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.  Proceeds benefit the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation’s nonprofit mission to expand access to Justice and fund scholarships for VCUarts Jazz Studies students.

LinkedIn Event

RSVP on Facebook.

You are invited! Jazz4Justice presents Graham Breedlove on Thursday, November 30th at Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax at 9650 Main Street, Fairfax VA from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and include hors d’oeuvres and a chance at door prizes.  You may purchase tickets from the Cinema Arts website or from their box office on site.  Following intermission, there will be a community jazz jam hosted by the Jazz4Justice All Stars.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts for underwriting the November 30th Graham Breedlove concert. Many thanks to Weiner Spivey and Miller PLC and Fox and Anchor Productions for their in-kind contributions to Jazz4Justice.  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.

Legal Aid Works® and the University of Mary Washington Jazz Ensemble present the 10th annual Jazz4Justice™ concert, coming to you LIVE from UMW’s Dodd Auditorium on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 7:30PM.  Click here to buy your tickets TODAY!

Net proceeds are equally divided and donated to UMW jazz music student performers and LAW to provide:

• Scholarships for UMW students studying music. (In fact, the UMW performers include previous years’ scholarship recipients.)

• Legal services for low-income area residents, ensuring equal access to justice.

If you would like to become an event sponsor please contact Ann Kloeckner at akloeckner@legalaidworks.org or call (540) 371-1105 X 116.  You may also review our 2022 Sponsorship Brochure to learn more about your sponsor benefits.

George Mason University’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music presents the 22nd annual Jazz4Justice™ concert and fundraiser on Saturday, October 14th 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 celebrate the amazing leader and educator Anthony Maiello, who will retire after this academic year. Information and tickets are currently available on the Center for the Arts website.

$20 General Public, $15 Seniors, $15 Youth through Grade 12

The 3rd Annual Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown’s Park will take place on Labor Day, September 4th, 2023 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. to celebrate Labor Day for all Americans while supporting Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) in its initiative for economic justice and labor rights.  The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required to view the performance.  Bring your own chair and blanket to sit on the lawn and enjoy the wonderful music, raffle, and door prizes.

The event will begin with a performance by the illustrious Capitol Lab Band, led by composer Eric Jesteadt, consisting of a full 17 piece jazz ensemble focused on original compositions by band members.  The amazing Jazz4Justice All Stars will then play a short set followed by the community jazz jam where everyone is welcome to sit in on the bandstand.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park in the free green parking spaces located in the parking lot behind Mr. Brown's Park.  Alternatively, it is about a mile from the East Falls Church Metro (Orange or Silver Line).  Mr. Brown's Park is ADA compliant and handicap accessible.

Jazz4Justice presents the Jazz4Justice Juneteenth Festival on Monday, June 19th (the observed Federal holiday) at 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Busboys and Poets located at 625 Monroe St NE, Washington, DC to benefit the First Shift Justice Project.  The event is free and open to the general public with a suggested donation of $20.

The event will begin with a dynamite performance by the Herb Scott Quartet, followed by singer extraordinaire Alison Crockett with her trio.  Then world renown saxophonist Brent Birckhead will take the stage for a riveting set backed by the Jazz4Justice All Stars.  Following Brent’s set will be a community jazz jam where everyone is welcome to come sit in and play.  There will be tabling by local non-profits Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts and Spark the Journey, as well as complimentary sparkling mineral water courtesy of Topo Chico.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park on the street where parking is free because of the Federal holiday.  Alternatively, take the Red Line to Brookland and walk two blocks to Busboys and Poets.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the lead sponsor, DC Creative Affairs Office, for their support of the Jazz4Justice Juneteenth Festival.  Thank you to Topo Chico for sponsoring the jam session. Thank you to Capitol Percussion and Backline, and Weiner Spivey and Miller PLC for their in-kind contributions to Jazz4Justice.  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.

Join us for the 4th Annual Jazz4Justice in Charlottesville, featuring the UVA Jazz Ensemble directed by John D’earth, to benefit Central Virginia Legal Aid Services (CVLAS) and the UVA Jazz Program! Event details: https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-ensemble-spring-2023.

Jazz Ensemble - Spring 2023

Brother From A Sister City! - featuring Award Winning French Pianist Damien Groleau and vocalist Tina Hashemi performing John D’earth’s Ephemera.

April 23, 2023 - 8:00pm

Old Cabell Hall on the UVA Lawn

$10 for the general public,  $9 for UVA Faculty & Staff,  $5 for students, and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance. 

Tickets

Free tickets for UVA Students (reserve 24 hours in advance)

Photo by Marielle Huneau

Brother From A Sister City! - featuring Award Winning French Pianist Damien Groleau and vocalist Tina Hashemi performing John D’earth’s Ephemera.

On Sunday, April 23rd, at 8:00 PM in Old Cabell the UVA Jazz Ensemble, directed by John D’earth, will present Brother From A Sister City, featuring renowned French pianist, Damien Groleau. The evening will also feature vocalist Tina Hashemi’s revival of D’earth’s settings for three short poems, Ephemera, along with classics like Thad Jones’ Back Bone, Maynard Ferguson’s Fox Hunt and Michael Brecker’s African Skies, original compositions and arrangements by fourth year guitarist Michael McNulty, and several compositions by Monsieur Groleau.

Damien Groleau is from Charlottesville’s sister city of Besancon, France.  D’earth met Damien as part of a delegation from Charlottesville to Besancon in 2018.

“Damien was very welcoming and generous,” D’earth recounts.  “He invited me into his performances at the Arts Festival that was happening and it was obvious that we hit it off, musically.  Damien’s music is full of introspection and sensitivity but one night we played salsa with a great conga player and bass player and it was like old times in the Bronx!  He can do anything…”

D'earth, who has conducted over thirty years’ worth of concerts at UVA, has been trying to get Damien Groleau here as a guest artist since the beginning of the pandemic.  Now they have made it happen!

“We have had to reschedule two or three times,” D’earth reported.  “We have a great band with some advanced players.  It’s always exciting to see someone of Damien’s calibre interact with the students.  Our pianists, Ben Berry and Alex Halpern, and the rhythm section, especially, will learn a lot from Damien during his ten-day residency.”

The band will also learn from collaborating with Tina Hashemi, a rising jazz vocalist who graduated two years ago, from UVA, and has created a stir in jazz circles locally, and in D.C. and New York.  She is about to record her second album.  Tina will be singing the three poems of D’earth’s Ephemera. Originally commissioned for big band by the Albemarle High School Jazz Ensemble under Greg Thomas, to be sung by their fifteen year old vocalist, Veronica Swift (O’Brian), who is recently on the cover of Jazz Times, their performances of Ephemera garnered several awards. The poems, homilies about transience, appearance and illusion, disappearance, are by D’earth’s late brother, Paul Smyth.

“When I did this with Ronnie, a few years back, I was amazed by her musicianship and comprehension.  I realized that, of course, she understood: we grew up listening to the same music!  Now I’ll hear the piece sung by another singer that hears it like I do.  Tina has such a swinging spirit and finely-tuned ear in everything she does!  All the musicians who play with her are amazed by her abilities.”

The Jazz Ensemble has offered it’s services, and it’s guest artists, to the Jefferson Area Board for the Aging (JABA) for a fundraising Gala at the Paramount Theater on the Friday following the UVA, April 23rd, concert in Old Cabell Hall.  This special fundraising event will feature the same cast of characters at philanthropic prices.  

Damien Groleau is no stranger to Charlottesville having performed and recorded here with vocalist Paulien and guitar luminary Royce Campbell with an all-star lineup of some of Charlottesville’s best players. He will be giving masterclasses while he is here and the French Dept. is hoping to interview him, in French, about his life and music.

The Jazz Ensemble would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the Alliance Francaise of Charlottesville for nurturing the sister city relationship and bringing Damien here in the first place.  They would also like to thank Jazz4Justice, a group from the legal community that supports Legal Aid and Jazz Scholarships by partnering with university jazz ensembles.  April 23rd will be the fourth concert for which the Jazz Ensemble has partnered with Jazz4Justice.

The UVA Jazz Ensemble comprises undergraduates, graduate students, and community members.  They offer two concerts per academic year and present numerous guest artists both from our area, and from the national and international jazz scene.

Tickets are $10 for the general public,  $9 for UVA Faculty & Staff,  $5 for students, and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance.  Tickets can be purchased at the UVA Arts Box Office, on-line at https://artsboxoffice.virginia.edu/, by phone (434) 924-3376 or in person at the Arts Box Office or at the door on the night of the concert. The UVA Arts Box Office is located on the John and Betsy Casteen Arts Grounds, inside the lobby of the UVA Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road. For directions, please visit UVA Visitors Map or view directions via Google Maps.

Old Cabell Hall is located on the south end of UVA’s historic lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda. (map) Parking is available in the central grounds parking garage on Emmet Street, in the C1 parking lot off McCormick Rd, and in the parking lots at the UVA Corner.  Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to Bryan Hall.

For more information please contact the Department of Music at 434.924.3052 or music@virginia.edu

To find out more about Jazz events at UVA visit https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-events.

All programs are subject to change.

Join us for the Inaugural Jazz4Justice Warrenton on Saturday, April 22, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, at Eva Walker Park, to benefit Legal Aid Works. The event will feature special guest artist John D’earth, the Jazz4Justice All Stars, door prizes, and a community jam session starting around 2 pm. Eva Walker Park has a wonderful playground - bring your kids and your horn and come sit in! Vocalists welcome. There is ample street parking and overflow parking across the street at the DMV. Make a day of it and enjoy the small town atmosphere of downtown historic Warrenton while supporting pro bono legal services for low income individuals. Eva Walker Park is located at Alexandria Pike and North Street, Warrenton, VA.

Please join us for the 7th Annual Jazz4Justice in Newport News featuring the CNU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Kelly Rossum, in partnership with the Newport News Bar Association, to benefit the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia and Christopher Newport University!

The 9th Annual Jazz4Justice Concert in Richmond will take place on Friday, March 17th, 2023 (St. Patrick’s Day) at VCU’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the concert begins at 8:00 pm. The concert will benefit the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation and the VCU Jazz Studies Program.

Jazz4Justice Presents: Eric Byrd Trio

Jazz4Justice presents the Eric Byrd Trio in concert followed by a community jazz jam session on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax located at 9650 Main Street, Fairfax, VA. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from the Cinema Arts website or through their box office on site. The evening will begin with a concert at 7:30 pm by the phenomenal Eric Byrd Trio, who will perform music from their album, Twenty, which was awarded the #1 Jazz Album 2021 at the WAMMIES. Following intermission, students and community members will be invited to perform in a community jazz jam hosted by the Jazz4Justice All Stars. Each ticket is $20 and includes hors d’oeuvres and a chance to win door prizes. Students may attend for free, contact Shannon Gunn for details through the Jazz4Justice website.

Jazz & Blues in America

Join Mason Jazz and Friends as we explore the roots and development of America's greatest contribution to the Arts—Jazz.

Established in 2001 by Fairfax, VA attorney Edward L. Weiner, Esq. and Founder of Mason Jazz Studies, Jim Carroll, Jazz4Justice™ is an award-winning annual concert presented by Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) and Mason Jazz Studies. Jazz4Justice™ is a truly unique event where attorneys, judges, students, and members of the Northern Virginia community gather to celebrate their love of jazz. Proceeds from the evening benefit LSNV to continue its mission of service to the Northern Virginia community as well as providing financial support for the Mason Jazz Studies department for scholarships, trips, recordings and student projects.

Tickets: $20 adults, $15 Seniors & Students

Legal Aid Works® and the University of Mary Washington Jazz Ensemble present the 9th annual Jazz4Justice™ concert, coming to you LIVE from UMW’s Dodd Auditorium on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 7:30PM.

Net proceeds are equally divided and donated to UMW jazz music student performers and LAW to provide:

• Scholarships for UMW students studying music. (In fact, the UMW performers include previous years’ scholarship recipients.)

• Legal services for low-income area residents, ensuring equal access to justice.

If you would like to become an event sponsor please contact Ann Kloeckner at akloeckner@legalaidworks.org or call (540) 371-1105 X 116.  You may also review our 2022 Sponsorship Brochure to learn more about your sponsor benefits.

NOVA MUSIC presents:

THE 8th ANNUAL JAZZ4JUSTICE CONCERT

“FRANK, ELLA, AND THAD”

With Special Guest Artist Sharón Clark

featuring a partnership between NOVA Jazz, the Alexandria Bar Foundation, and Legal Services of Northern Virginia

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria

(ALEXANDRIA, VA)— NOVA Music presents the 8th Annual Jazz4Justice concert and fundraiser “Frank, Ella, and Thad” featuring special guest artist Sharón Clark on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center located at 4915 East Campus Dr, Alexandria, VA. The event raises funds to directly support pro bono legal services for low-income individuals, community legal programs, and jazz scholarships, through a partnership with the Alexandria Bar Foundation, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, and the NOVA Jazz Program. There is no entry fee to attend, seating is on a first-come basis, and the event is open to the general public.

The event will begin with a reception and community jazz jam featuring students and local musicians at 6:30 p.m. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Schlesinger Concert Hall with performances by the award-winning state ranked Alexandria City High School Jazz Ensemble, the illustrious NOVA Nighthawks, and world-famous jazz singer Sharón Clark, backed by a student ensemble. The NOVA Nighthawks will perform a set dedicated to the best big band albums by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Thad Jones.

Sponsorships are still available and greatly appreciated. Please contact Clarissa Pintado if you are interested in sponsoring the event.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park in the free Schlesinger Parking Garage. Alternatively, the venue is available via a four mile/30 minute ride on the DASH Bus 31 from the King Street Station (Blue and Yellow lines). Schlesinger Concert Hall is ADA compliant and handicap accessible.

About Sharón Clark

"Ms. Clark’s sound evokes not [Billie] Holiday but rather a less operatic Sarah Vaughan fused with the more animated side of Shirley Horn, a singer who also liked to take her time. Ms. Clark’s voice is rich, her phrasing unfussy, her jazz embellishments minimal.” -- Stephen Holden, New York Times

"A revelation... I never thought I'd hear a singer with the range, musicality and command of tone and timbre that was Sarah [Vaughan] at her best, but now I have." – JazzTimes

Find out more at https://www.sharonclarkjazz.com/.

About the Alexandria Bar Foundation

The Foundation of the Alexandria Bar provides scholarships to Alexandria high school students and provides grants to local organizations for projects that have at least one of the following purposes and that will primarily serve residents of the City of Alexandria:

1. The provision of legal services to indigent individuals;

2. Improvements in the legal system;

3. Improvements in the access of individuals to the legal system;

4. Improvements in the administration of justice; and

5. The provision of legal or law-related education.

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 opened nearly 6,000 cases in 2018 benefitting 15,000 individuals, providing assistance in the following substantive areas:

• family law, focusing primarily on matters which include domestic violence

• housing law which includes eviction and foreclosure prevention cases

• consumer law

• public benefits

• veteran’s affairs

• employment law

• elder law

• child advocacy

• education law with a focus on children with special needs

• HIV/AIDS Project

Find out more at https://www.lsnv.org/.

About NOVA Jazz

Northern Virginia Community College’s Jazz Program at the Alexandria campus offers students of all ages the opportunity to learn the art and styles of jazz in an inclusive and supportive environment. The NOVA Jazz program requires no audition, and upon completion of an Associates degree, students can transfer to music schools across Virginia.

Find out more at https://blogs.nvcc.edu/almusic/ensembles/jazz/.

About Jazz4Justice

In 2000, Fairfax attorney Ed Weiner attended a student jazz recital. He was impressed by the music but distressed by the small audience. As the President of the Fairfax Law Foundation, he saw an opportunity for a new partnership – universities would provide the musical talent and the local legal community would provide the audience and sponsors. Today, Jazz4Justice concerts are held throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Thus far, Jazz4Justice has raised over $500,000 for music scholarships and an array of educational and charitable legal services benefiting Virginia’s local communities. Jazz4Justice has received awards from the American Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. Jazz4Justice is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Visit us at www.jazz4justice.com. We are supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Law Foundation. The VLF's mission is to promote, through philanthropy, the Rule of Law, access to justice, and law-related education.

Find out more at https://www.jazz4justice.com/.

# # #

Press Contact

Shannon Gunn, Jazz Ensemble Director, Northern Virginia Community College

sgunn [at] nvcc.edu

Jazz4Justice is coming to Falls Church!

Jazz4Justice will present the 2nd Annual Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown's Park on Monday, September 5th  (Labor Day holiday) from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. located at 100 W Broad Street, Falls Church, VA to benefit the Legal Aid Justice Center and highlight its economic justice and labor rights initiatives.  The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required to view the performance.  Bring your own chair and blanket to sit on the lawn and enjoy the wonderful music, raffle, and door prizes.

The event will begin with a performance by the superb Capitol Lab Band, a full 17 piece jazz ensemble focused on modern music and original compositions.  Their performance will be followed by the illustrious Levine Music's Maryland Jazz Band, a top notch jazz ensemble composed of amazing high school students from all over the DMV.  The event will end with a set by the brilliant Jazz4Justice All Stars who will also host the community jazz jam where everyone is welcome.  Complimentary sparkling mineral water will be provided courtesy of Topo Chico.  Hot Dogs will be available for 25 cents each - bring a quarter.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park in the parking lot behind Mr. Brown's Park where parking is free because of the Federal holiday.  Alternatively, it is about a mile from the East Falls Church Metro (Orange or Silver Line).  Mr. Brown's Park is ADA compliant and handicap accessible.

Jazz4Justice Juneteenth Festival to Benefit the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Featuring a Partnership Between Jazz4Justice, Gallery O on H, and the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Monday, June 20th, 2022 at 3 - 8 p.m. at

Gallery O on H

1354 H St NE, Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Jazz4Justice, in partnership with Gallery O on H, presents the premiere Jazz4Justice Juneteenth Festival on Monday, June 20th  (the observed Federal holiday) at 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Gallery O on H located at 1354 H St NE, Washington, DC to benefit the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and highlight its Eviction Prevention Project.  The event is free and open to the general public with a suggested donation of $20.

The event will begin with a dynamite performance by the Fairfax Swing Jazz big band, followed by soul singer extraordinaire Akua Allrich.  Elijah Easton will then perform a scintillating jazz set with his trio. The Washington Women in Jazz Festival will round out the evening with a set and then host the community jazz jam where everyone is welcome.  Attendees will be able to enjoy a curated art exhibit at Gallery O on H while listening to great music for a cause.  There will be tabling by local non-profits DC Music Summit and the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts. Complimentary sparkling mineral water will be provided courtesy of Topo Chico.  Drinks will be available at the cash bar.

Getting There and Parking

To get to the event, you may opt to park on the street where parking is free because of the Federal holiday.  Alternatively, take the Red Line to Union Station and hop on the DC Streetcar for a free ride along H Street for about a 2 mile ride.  Gallery O on H is ADA compliant and handicap accessible.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Capitol Percussion and Backline and Weiner Spivey and Miller PLC for their in-kind contributions to Jazz4Justice. Thank you to the Awesome Foundation DC for supporting the premiere Jazz4Justice Juneteenth Festival in DC.

About Jazz4Justice™

Jazz4Justice concerts are held throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Thus far, Jazz4Justice has raised over $578,000 for music scholarships and an array of educational and charitable legal services benefiting Virginia’s local communities. Jazz4Justice has received awards from the American Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar.  Jazz4Justice is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Visit us at www.jazz4justice.com. We are supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Law Foundation. The VLF's mission is to promote, through philanthropy, the Rule of Law, access to justice, and law-related education.

About Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Legal Aid was created in 1932 with the goal of making justice real – in individual and systemic ways – for persons living in poverty in the District of Columbia.

For more than 85 years, Legal Aid lawyers have provided a continuum of legal services to clients in the areas of domestic violence/family, housing, public benefits, and consumer law. In addition to providing direct representation, we also help clients avoid unnecessary legal entanglements through outreach and education, and help them resolve their own disputes with advice and other brief assistance.

Legal Aid also works to identify systemic issues that have an impact beyond an individual client. In such cases, we often seek structural solutions – from changes in law or regulatory schemes to a reform of government or court practice – to benefit our client community. And our nationally-recognized Barbara McDowell Appellate Advocacy Project, which pursues an anti-poverty agenda, litigates important cases affecting persons living in poverty before the D.C. Court of Appeals every year.

In all that we do, Legal Aid strives to make fair and equal access to justice possible for those who need it most.

Learn more at https://www.legalaiddc.org/.

About Gallery O on H

Gallery owners Dolly Vehlow and Steve Hessler have collected self-taught folk art for more than thirty years. The collection began as an attraction to the creativity of the art and has been sustained through the relationships they forged with many of the artists. The collection has grown not because of a need to be acquisitive, but because of a passion for the art itself, and their appreciation for how every work of art in their collection is a piece of the artist. 

Dolly's lifelong interest in art began in 1956 when she won Maybelle, a 24" walking doll in the local IGA coloring contest. Steve’s collecting started under the Christmas tree with a toy animal farm set. It meandered through various collections from military patches to Lionel trains until, and when he bought his first house, he chose art instead of furniture.

Their propensity for collecting together started with the gift of a Florida snow globe in 1981 and has grown to a collection of over 800 globes, the tackier the better. In 1990, a cypress alligator at Pelligro Gallery in New Orleans led them to Dr. Bob Schaffer, and thus began their adventure in discovering self-taught art.

Dolly and Steve view their role as collectors as an opportunity to preserve, promote and bring awareness to others of self-taught art; art created in response to the internal voice of a creative muse. They believe that while intuitive art stands on its own merit, knowing more about who created it and what inspired or directed the art brings a greater value to the experience. Intuitive art is not a category or a subset of art; it is art. Dolly and Steve chose to collect it because for them it does what all art is supposed to do; it speaks to them. The goal of Gallery O on H is to share that “voice.”

Learn more at: https://galleryoonh.com/.

For more information, please visit:

Jazz4Justice

NOTE: This event is on a Monday, June 20th, the Federal Holiday, and parking will be free in DC. This event will be free and open to the public.

We are currently seeking a lead sponsor for programs in return for promotional support. Learn more here:

UVA Jazz Ensemble 2022

Become a Sponsor! Sponsorships are available for the UVA Jazz4Justice; click the button below for more details.

Part of the Mini-JazzFest: Jazz on the Fly!

April 9, 2022 - 8:00pm

Old Cabell Hall

$10 / $9 UVA Faculty & Staff / $5 students / Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance

On the second weekend of April, the University of Virginia Jazz Program will present two concerts in a mini-JazzFest entitled Jazz on the Fly! The two concerts will feature The Free Bridge Quintet on Friday evening, April 8th and The UVA Jazz Ensemble, directed by John D’earth, on Saturday evening, April 9th.  The concerts begin at 8:00 PM in Old Cabell Auditorium.

Both concerts feature flexible planning and programming strategies due to the persistence of covid-related uncertainties and both will be live-streamed from Old Cabell Auditorium.  Recent predictions suggest that the pair of concerts will be an explosive celebration of a return to live jazz at UVA.  Experience has cautioned, however, that conditions change fast on the ground in a pandemic, and who is better situated to improvise their way through changing circumstances than jazz musicians?

On Friday, 4/8, the quintet will present Free Bridge & Faculty.  Free Bridge, the faculty jazz quintet of the UVA Dept. of Music, comprises Jeff Decker on saxophones, John D’earth on trumpet, Peter Spaar on bass, and Robert Jospe on drums and percussion.  The four bandmates welcome a new pianist, but an old friend, into the quintet, Calvin Brown. Calvin is a jazz artist and singer/songwriter who began playing piano in church at the age of 13. After graduating from Berklee School of Music he performed regularly in New York City and toured in the United States and Europe with Lady Rose Watson’s “Gospel Angels,” and others. He serves as a regular keyboard player for many of central Virginia’s most esteemed musical groups. He has worked extensively as a keyboardist, arranger, and musical director. Calvin’s original music, billed as Calvin Presents, is performed by his seven-piece band, synthesizing his roots in jazz and gospel music with neo-soul, hip-hop, alt rock and trap music.

Free Bridge will also invite members of the jazz and classical faculty to join them in some jams organized “on the fly.” The single set concert will present a mix of jazz classics and originals and will mirror the Norman Granz Jazz at the Philharmonic concept to allow for an expanding and contracting cast of characters.

On Saturday, April 8th, the UVA Jazz Ensemble will present Contingencies and Resiliencies! The concert will feature material from the group’s double album, Infernal Resilience. which the group recorded during the lockdown year. The jazz program had a banner year responding to covid, during the fall and spring of 2020/21, by recording seven different albums with the big band, the four small groups, and two distinguished major projects, all in masks and with isolation for winds and singers.  These may be heard at virginiajazz.org. The Jazz Ensemble will also play classics like Dizzy Gillespie’s Con Alma, Slide’s Derangement, by Slide Hampton, and ABC Blues, by Bob Brookmeyer.

In response to the continuing uncertainty around covid, the Jazz Ensemble will be preparing itself for rapidly changing protocols, as were enacted last semester.  It will be an incentive to do contingency planning for live performance and allow us to experiment with different versions of an extended jazz orchestra. Will there be an indoor/outdoor component?  Will we have to use the Hall’s spaciousness to allow for the distancing of winds and vocals?  We won’t know, we’ve now learned, until we get there; an alluring mystery attaching to an already promising event!

Jazz Director, and trumpeter/composer, John D’earth, is excited about returning to a stage on which he has been organizing concerts since the early 1980’s.

“This is a unique opportunity to showcase jazz in Old Cabell Auditorium for two nights in a row and the open-ended format will allow listeners to hear new voices with both bands.  The first casualty of our covid experience was having to cancel our concert with French pianist, Damien Groleau in 2020, 2021, and now, 2022.  Stay tuned for a fabulous concert with Damien, but it seemed irresponsible to engage in international projects when so much uncertainty still exists.  And now we have Calvin so we’ll be able to present him, in concert, sooner than we thought. It is also inspiring and, at times, astonishing to see the level of devotion our students put into their work. We have some excellent jazz players in the band who play at a higher level than their age or status as students would suggest.  The way everyone worked so hard, and for so many extra hours, to create those recordings last year will stay with me for a long time!”  (Read more about these studio sessions) https://news.virginia.edu/content/when-pandemic-postponed-performances-dearth-led-his-musicians-studio

The concerts are co-sponsored by Jazz4Justice, an organization that has partnered with the Music Department and the Jazz Ensemble several times in the recent past. Jazz4Justice raises public awareness and funds for Legal Aid and music scholarships which they do by forming collaborative partnerships with the legal community, the business community, the music community, and Universities.

Tickets for the Free Bridge Quintet are $15 General, $13 for UVA Faculty & Staff, $5 for Students and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance.

Tickets for the UVA Jazz Ensemble are $10 General, $9 for UVA Faculty & Staff, $5 for Students and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance.

Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Box Office at artsboxoffice.virginia.edu or by calling 434.924.3376.

To see all the Jazz Events at UVA please visit https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-events

Old Cabell Hall is located on the south end of UVA’s historic lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda. (map) Parking is available in the central grounds parking garage on Emmet Street, in the C1 parking lot off McCormick Rd, and in the parking lots at the UVA Corner.  Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to Bryan Hall.

According to UVA policy SEC-045, Face Masks are required for all people (e.g., students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors), both vaccinated and unvaccinated, who enter UVA properties.

All programs are subject to change.

For more information please call the Department of Music at 434.924.3052. For tickets please visit www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu or by call 434.924.3376.

Free Bridge Quintet 2022

Become a Sponsor! Sponsorships are available for the UVA Jazz4Justice, click the button below for more details.

Jazz on the Fly! (part of JazzFest2022)

April 8, 2022 - 8:00pm

Old Cabell Hall

$15 / $13 for UVA Faculty & Staff / $5 for Students / Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance

Free Bridge Quintet and the UVA Jazz Ensemble Present a Mini-JazzFest on April 8th & 9th: Jazz on the Fly!

On the second weekend of April, the University of Virginia Jazz Program will present two concerts in a mini-JazzFest entitled Jazz on the Fly! The two concerts will feature The Free Bridge Quintet on Friday evening, April 8th and The UVA Jazz Ensemble, directed by John D’earth, on Saturday evening, April 9th.  The concerts begin at 8:00 PM in Old Cabell Auditorium.

Both concerts feature flexible planning and programming strategies due to the persistence of covid-related uncertainties and both will be live-streamed from Old Cabell Auditorium.  Recent predictions suggest that the pair of concerts will be an explosive celebration of a return to live jazz at UVA.  Experience has cautioned, however, that conditions change fast on the ground in a pandemic, and who is better situated to improvise their way through changing circumstances than jazz musicians?

On Friday, 4/8, the quintet will present Free Bridge & Faculty.  Free Bridge, the faculty jazz quintet of the UVA Dept. of Music, comprises Jeff Decker on saxophones, John D’earth on trumpet, Peter Spaar on bass, and Robert Jospe on drums and percussion.  The four bandmates welcome a new pianist, but an old friend, into the quintet, Calvin Brown. Calvin is a jazz artist and singer/songwriter who began playing piano in church at the age of 13. After graduating from Berklee School of Music he performed regularly in New York City and toured in the United States and Europe with Lady Rose Watson’s “Gospel Angels,” and others. He serves as a regular keyboard player for many of central Virginia’s most esteemed musical groups. He has worked extensively as a keyboardist, arranger, and musical director. Calvin’s original music, billed as Calvin Presents, is performed by his seven-piece band, synthesizing his roots in jazz and gospel music with neo-soul, hip-hop, alt rock and trap music.

Free Bridge will also invite members of the jazz and classical faculty to join them in some jams organized “on the fly.” The single set concert will present a mix of jazz classics and originals and will mirror the Norman Granz Jazz at the Philharmonic concept to allow for an expanding and contracting cast of characters.

On Saturday, April 8th, the UVA Jazz Ensemble will present Contingencies and Resiliencies! The concert will feature material from the group’s double album, Infernal Resilience. which the group recorded during the lockdown year. The jazz program had a banner year responding to covid, during the fall and spring of 2020/21, by recording seven different albums with the big band, the four small groups, and two distinguished major projects, all in masks and with isolation for winds and singers.  These may be heard at virginiajazz.org. The Jazz Ensemble will also play classics like Dizzy Gillespie’s Con Alma, Slide’s Derangement, by Slide Hampton, and ABC Blues, by Bob Brookmeyer.

In response to the continuing uncertainty around covid, the Jazz Ensemble will be preparing itself for rapidly changing protocols, as were enacted last semester.  It will be an incentive to do contingency planning for live performance and allow us to experiment with different versions of an extended jazz orchestra. Will there be an indoor/outdoor component?  Will we have to use the Hall’s spaciousness to allow for the distancing of winds and vocals?  We won’t know, we’ve now learned, until we get there; an alluring mystery attaching to an already promising event!

Jazz Director, and trumpeter/composer, John D’earth, is excited about returning to a stage on which he has been organizing concerts since the early 1980’s.

“This is a unique opportunity to showcase jazz in Old Cabell Auditorium for two nights in a row and the open-ended format will allow listeners to hear new voices with both bands.  The first casualty of our covid experience was having to cancel our concert with French pianist, Damien Groleau in 2020, 2021, and now, 2022.  Stay tuned for a fabulous concert with Damien, but it seemed irresponsible to engage in international projects when so much uncertainty still exists.  And now we have Calvin so we’ll be able to present him, in concert, sooner than we thought. It is also inspiring and, at times, astonishing to see the level of devotion our students put into their work. We have some excellent jazz players in the band who play at a higher level than their age or status as students would suggest.  The way everyone worked so hard, and for so many extra hours, to create those recordings last year will stay with me for a long time!”  (read more about the studio sessions)

The concerts are co-sponsored by Jazz4Justice, an organization that has partnered with the Music Department and the Jazz Ensemble several times in the recent past. Jazz4Justice raises public awareness and funds for Legal Aid and music scholarships which they do by forming collaborative partnerships with the legal community, the business community, the music community, and Universities.

Tickets are $15 General, $13 for UVA Faculty & Staff, $5 for Students and Free for UVA Students who reserve in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Box Office at artsboxoffice.virginia.edu or by calling 434.924.3376.

To see all the Jazz Events at UVA please visit https://music.virginia.edu/jazz-events

Old Cabell Hall is located on the south end of UVA’s historic lawn, directly opposite the Rotunda. (map) Parking is available in the central grounds parking garage on Emmet Street, in the C1 parking lot off McCormick Rd, and in the parking lots at the UVA Corner. Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to Bryan Hall.

According to UVA policy SEC-045, Face Masks are required for all people (e.g., students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors), both vaccinated and unvaccinated, who enter UVA properties.

All programs are subject to change.

For more information about tickets, please call the Department of Music at 434.924.3052.

The 8th Annual Jazz4Justice in Richmond will take place on Thursday, March 17th, 2022 (St. Patrick’s Day) at 8 pm at the Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the VCU Singleton Center and will feature the VCU Jazz Orchestra I, Jazz Orchestra II, a vocal ensemble TBD, J4J Scholarship Recipients, and Todd “Parney” Parnell as Guest Conductor.  Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event are required for all attendees.  Music performers will wear masks plus cover the bells of all aerosol-producing instruments.  This concert is a partnership between the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation and the VCU Jazz program, both of which are beneficiaries of the fundraising. We are deeply grateful to VCU for continuing the tradition and allowing the concert to highlight the need to support access to Justice and educate audiences on the Justice Gap!  

If you missed the 2021 virtual performance, you can watch it here. More details to follow!

If you would like to become a sponsor for Jazz4Justice, please fill out this sponsorship form and send it to Shane Harper at admin@grbf.org, or contact Shane with any questions.

Legal Aid Works® (LAW) and the University of Mary Washington Jazz Ensemble present the 8th Annual Virtual Jazz4Justice™ concert on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at 7:30 pm. This special online video concert is free to the public.

View the virtual event here: https://www.legalaidworks.org/jazz4justice/

Donations are much appreciated, and net proceeds are equally divided and donated to UMW jazz music student performers and LAW to provide:

• Scholarships for UMW students studying music. (In fact, the UMW performers include previous years’ scholarship recipients.)

• Legal services for low-income area residents, ensuring equal access to justice.

If you would like to become an event sponsor please contact Ann Kloeckner at Legal Aid Works. You may also review their 2021 Sponsorship Brochure to learn more about your sponsor benefits.

A very special thank you to our partners at B101.5 for their generous promotional support.

So, are you ready for some jazz music? You can now enjoy the 2020 Jazz4Justice™ online video concert below:

1st Annual Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown’s Park

100 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA

Monday, September 6, 2021 at 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Sponsorships are available. Please view the Sponsorship Form below. You can donate on the website (indicate this is for Falls Church) or call us to talk in person at 703-273-9500. Many thanks to all our sponsors thus far!

(FALLS CHURCH)— The first annual Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown’s Park will take place on Labor Day, September 6th, 2021 to celebrate Labor Day for all Americans while supporting Legal Aid Justice Center in its initiative for economic justice and labor rights. The event raises funds to bring awareness and help close the Justice Gap for low-income individuals.

The event is free and open to the public. No tickets required to view the performance.

Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown’s Park is a fundraiser for Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC), a nonprofit who partners with communities and clients to achieve justice by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty. Justice means racial justice, social justice, and economic justice. 100% of profits from the fundraising event will be donated to LAJC.

According to the Legal Services Corporation, Eighty Six percent (86%) of low income Americans who have civil legal problems receive inadequate or no legal help. Seventy One percent (71%) of low-income households experienced at least one civil or legal problem in the last year. (Source: 2017 Justice Gap Report). This discrepancy between legal representation for civil cases and the need for legal services for low-income individuals is known as the “Justice Gap.” Jazz4Justice brings awareness to the Justice Gap through concerts, education initiatives, and fundraising.

The First Annual Jazz4Justice at Mr. Brown’s Park is a family-friendly event featuring free hot dogs, door prizes, and the Jazz4Justice All Stars Ensemble. The jazz band, led by trombonist Shannon Gunn, will kick off at 2 pm followed by a Jazz Jam Session open to the public. Bring your instrument! Sponsorships are greatly appreciated. Please see details at the Jazz4Justice website.

About Jazz4Justice™

In 2000, Fairfax attorney Ed Weiner attended a student jazz recital. He was impressed by the music but distressed by the small audience. As the President of the Fairfax Law Foundation, he saw an opportunity for a new partnership between Jazz and Justice. Today, Jazz4Justice concerts are held throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Thus far, Jazz4Justice concerts have raised over $500,000 for music scholarships and an array of educational and charitable legal services benefiting Virginia’s local communities. Jazz4Justice has received awards from the American Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. Jazz4Justice is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Visit us at www.jazz4justice.com. We are supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Law Foundation. The VLF's mission is to promote, through philanthropy, the Rule of Law, access to justice, and law-related education.

About the Legal Aid Justice Center

The Legal Aid Justice Center partners with communities and clients to achieve justice by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty. Justice means racial justice, social justice, and economic justice.

Achieving justice means:

• Integrating individual representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and organizing strategies.

• Working in and with communities.

• Identifying and addressing root causes while mitigating acute impacts.

• Expanding impact in an effort to reach all Virginia communities.

Racial justice means:

• The proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all. (Source: Shriver Center Racial Justice Institute)

Please contact us through the contact form on this website for more details.