CityView Magazine

Knoxville Jazz for Justice
Photo: Erin Bernstein

HEALING A CULTURE THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC
Energetic music.  Passionate people.  A remarkable cause.  Could you think of a better way to spend a Friday night?  The Jazz for Justice Project will be hosting its third annual concert on Friday, October 17, 2008. The Jazz for Justice Project (JfJ) is a non profit organization promoting psychosocial healing in war-affected northern Uganda through music and art. After enduring 21 years of civil war Uganda has lost touch with the rich culture it once possessed; it is this culture that JfJ strives to restore.  JfJ consists of UT students and faculty, musicians, artists, and community activists in both the United States and northern Uganda.  Proceeds from the concert will go towards the Northern Uganda Girls Education Network (NUGEN), a grassroots Ugandan organization that promotes education for at-risk children in northern Uganda.  The concert will feature local and nationally known musicians, including Jeff Coffin of Grammy Award-winning Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. 

The event will also host leaders and artists from both the U.S. and Uganda. The event will take place new venue Barataria and Bos Lafitte (formerly Blue Cats and Tonic) in Old City Knoxville.  The Knoxville Jazz for Justice concert has been an immense success in years past, and this year’s concert is sure to have you jammin’ to the beat with our Ugandan friends!