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JUNiOR JERRY JAM
About Us
“As humans, we all seem to feel energized by music and dance – it’s very mysterious and inspiring. You need to instill what motivates you into your children and grandchildren. It's not just an opening to introduce kids to be musical – it’s also because musicians need more fans,"
-Judy Weinstein
Junior Jerry Jam events will earmark a local charity or organization as beneficiary.
About the Founders
Stu & Judy Weinstein are community-minded, family-oriented, lovers & supporters of live music. The organization was founded naturally as a way to engage families in the music scene.
About the Organization
Founded in 2021, Junior Jerry Jam seeks to celebrate the Dead’s music in a family-friendly, multigenerational environment. The organization’s name is a tribute to the late Grateful Dead guitarist, singer and songwriter Jerry Garcia. Junior Jerry Jam was incorporated into a 501(c)3 in 2022.
Grateful Family Vibes
The Weinsteins have long been immersed in the Buffalo music scene and are familiar faces in concert clubs and at festivals representing a broad swath of musical idioms. And, though it might seem incongruous to the uninitiated, the two have seamlessly folded their love and support for live music into a lifestyle that emphasizes the importance of family above all else.
Additional Goals
Junior Jerry Jam creates an fun way to support a collaborative music opportunity for the local musicians here in Buffalo.
"The challenges that our young musicians face today are exponentially higher than the previous generation. Paradoxically, the pandemic seems like a big setback for live music venues, but I see it as a springboard. When you jump, you need to bend down first. The void that is present now has more potential to be filled than ever before. Every obstacle is an opportunity waiting.” - Stu Weinstein
Quotes and information above from the Buffalo News article by Jeff Meiers
Photo of Stu & Judy Weinstein by Sharon Cantillon
The ensuing partnership yielded the maiden voyage event that featured an all-star collection of renowned local musicians, including Dave Ruch, Joe Bellanti, Corey Kertzi, Jim Doersam, Pablo Zabrycki, Aaron Ziolkowski and Sue Kincaid performing a set billed as “kid-centric music inspired by the Grateful Dead catalog,” with children’s activities lending a sense of all-ages continuity to the event.
For that first show, proceeds were donated to Buffalo String Works, a collective of educators working to offer area immigrant and refugee children access to instruments, instruction and a proper music education.
“Choosing our first beneficiary was a natural – kids learning music at our wonderful Buffalo String Works program,” said Stu Weinstein, noting that all
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To view all events, tap here.
Our First Event
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