Social Justice & VCU Jazz Studies

Students from VCU and the University of KwaZulu-Natal learn a composition from South African legend Madala Kunene (with guitar) and UKZN Prof. Sazi Dlamini (right of guitar) in Durban, South Africa. The song, “Mfoka Zibhebhu,” would later formalize into a performance and recording on the universities’ combined CD, “Leap of Faith.” photo credit: Antonio García

At VCU Jazz we appreciate and welcome you regardless of your immigration status, country of origin and/or citizenship, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender/sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or dis/ability. Jazz in particular is a language that has a history of expressing strife and hope, problems and solutions, failures and triumphs, often in the context of social justice for the disenfranchised and less-heard. It is a music that stems from extremely diverse cultures. Let us enrich ourselves by continuing that tradition.

For decades, the VCU Jazz Program has been honored to share with students the intersection between jazz and social justice. As an engine of positive change, VCU Jazz has also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through internal and external funding that have provided direct education to our students regarding social justice as well as provided financial support to underrepresented and/or minority citizens of our community.

Below are just some of the avenues through which VCU Jazz has sought to explore issues of racism, inequality, healing, and hope by sharing with our students and our concert-community a deeper understanding of the musicians creating jazz and the message of social justice that often inspires their musical expression. Click on each listing below to learn more.

Jazz 4 Justice(TM)

A Jazz Bridge to Greater Understanding

Nelson Mandela National Memorial Service

Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu

The Brubeck Institute

Jazz 21: The Voice of Social Change

Children's Medical Services International

Partners in the Arts Summer Institute: Arts in Education

The Langston Hughes Project

Salsa for Social Change

With Good Reason: Jazz & Civil Rights

SHEroes, 3D Jazz Trio, & More

"Code Beats Live!" & Dumi Right

Global Z Recording Project

Open Minds, Closer Thoughts

LGBTQ+ Support

Concert for Lindsay

Jazz: A Bridge to Better Understanding

Compositions & Arrangements

A Note from Njeri Jackson, Ph.D.

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