The Jazz for Justice Project

healing war-ravaged Northern Uganda through the power of music activism

About Us


Who We Are

We are an ensemble of students, musicians, professors, religious and community activists. We are united by two commitments:

  • To help end the suffering in war-torn Northern Uganda
  • To explore music activism as a tool of social healing and transformation

For more detailed information, see our Team Profiles page.

What We Envision

  • Sustainable peace and development, educational and psycho-social support for young people whose lives and futures have been disrupted by the war
  • Realizing the potential of engaged entertainment in the Knoxville community
  • Providing musical instruments to young people in Northern Uganda to aid their psycho-social healing
  • Creating dialogue and cultural exchange between musicians in the Knoxville and Gulu communities
  • Greater acceptance of the role of music in rehabilitating youth traumatized by war and displacement

What We Do

  • We organize concerts
  • We release CDs
  • We design T-shirts
  • We screen films
  • We give talks
  • We lobby in DC
  • We go to Uganda
  • We work with Ugandan organizations

Why Jazz

  • jazz is world music with African roots
  • jazz is associated with freedom - personal and sonal
  • jazz is democratic, you have to listen and work together as a team
  • jazz is centered on improvisation - a creative concept for activists
  • jazz is intimate and sustained
  • jazz builds relationships between musicians and fans

What We Have Achieved

  • a jazz concert that attracted over 600 people and raised over $5000 (September 2006)
  • a CD (launched February 2007)
  • lobbying in DC (October 2006)
  • talks at Maryville College (October 2006), Valley Unitarian-Universalist Church, Knoxville (?), Webb School, Knoxville (April 2007)
  • GuluWalk (October 2006)
  • Footprinting for Northern Uganda (October 2005)
  • Invited speakers (George Piwang and Hon. Bettty Udongo) on Child Soldiers in Africa

What People Are Saying

Coming soon...


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