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George Mason University Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music presents the 24th annual Jazz4Justice™ concert and fundraiser on Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts. The event raises funds to 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, George Mason University President Gregory Washington.
James Carroll, professor of Jazz Studies and Mason Jazz Ensemble director, states, “This concert will celebrate the vibrant rhythms and soulful melodies of ‘The Latin Tinge’—a tribute to the influence of Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and South American sounds on the evolution of jazz. Guests can expect to enjoy an exciting evening of music infused with clave, montuno, samba, and sabor—featuring student ensembles and dynamic arrangements that highlight the enduring connection between jazz and Latin musical traditions. We are especially excited this year to welcome President Washington as our special guest conductor!”
Director of Jazz Studies Darden Purcell adds, “Funds raised from this this year’s concert will help finance student projects, including a presentation at the American Choral Directors Association Southern Region conference in Memphis, Tennessee and a much-anticipated student recording project in spring 2026.”
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 45 years. LSNV is the largest legal aid organization in Virginia and assists thousands of clients every year. “Jazz4Justice™ has proven itself to be an effective way to introduce the work of LSNV to the entirety of the Northern Virginia community. Each year LSNV is honored to partner with the George Mason Jazz ensemble, as well as the entire George Mason community, to raise needed funds to provide civil legal assistance to the most vulnerable Northern Virginians who face 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, by or visiting the event webpage.