JAZZ on the Grass is rooted in the Robinson legacy of promoting social causes. Inspired by the March on Washington, Jackie and Rachel Robinson organized a jazz concert in 1963 at their Stamford, CT home in support of the Civil Rights movement. The concert attracted some of the most recognizable artists of the day, including Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie, making it an instant success! Nearly half a century later, the legacy continues...

Beginning in 1975, JRF became the beneficiary, spurring decades of the concert series in Connecticut. For the past four years, the Western Region affair has evoked the original intimate atmosphere of the early concerts. JAZZ on the Grass is an afternoon of live donated musical performances, mouth-watering cuisine, and a silent auction. With the generous support of sponsors such as, Ford Motor Company, New Era Cap Company, Hennessy, American Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, Broadway Federal Bank, CBS Corporation, Nordstrom, Wells Fargo Bank, Pepsi Bottling Group and City National Bank, JAZZ continues to draw an influential crowd of 500 celebrities and community leaders each year, in support of JRF and its programs.

In this anniversary year, Pat Prescott, veteran broadcaster & producer of KTWV 94.7 The WAVE, will be presented with the inaugural Jackie Robinson Foundation IMPACT Award. The award will be given annually to an individual who has dedicated their time and efforts to advance JRF’s mission. IMPACT recipients are remarkable individuals who can be seen as an Inspiration, Mentor, Philanthropist, Activist, Community Leader and Trailblazer.

Pat Prescott has been a monumental figure within the JRF family and JRF is thankful for her commitment to not only JAZZ on the Grass, but to JRF Scholars as well. During her years of service to the Foundation both on the East and West Coast, Prescott has served as a volunteer, mentor, Western Region Advisory committee member, Jazz on the Grass Host Committee member and an amazing mistress of ceremonies. We are proud to call her a part of the JRF Family.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! To learn more about JAZZ on the Grass and the various ways that you can support our efforts, CLICK HERE

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JAZZ ON THE GRASS HOST COMMITTEE

EVENT CHAIRS
Lynne & Oz Scott

HONORARY COMMITTEE
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar • Bill Cosby • Gina & James Pickens, Jr. • Kenny Rankin Artist (in memoriam) • Hattie Winston & Harold Wheeler

HOST COMMITTEE
Genhi Bailey • Eddie Becton • Robert Cambridge • Mary Rose Caras • Barbara & Wes Coleman • Kyle E. Davis • LeRoy Downs • Karen & Don Freeman •April Frerichs-Powers • Leo Gatewood • Charles D. Gold • Lisa & Dave Hampton • Jackée Harry • Michael E. Meyer • Pat Prescott & Reggie Jackson • Salli Richardson & Dondre Whitfield • Sylvester Rivers • Pat & Ray Shields • JoAnne & Henry Shields • Vanessa & Chris Spencer • Brenda Sykes & Paul Hudson • Charles Todd • Angela & John Witherspoon

CLICK HERE to download a listing of the host committee.





Private Residence
Sherman Oaks, California

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The Jackie Robinson Foundation held its 2010 Annual Awards Dinner on Monday, March 8th, at 6:30pm at New York's venerable Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. Hosted by the legendary entertainer Bill Cosby, for nearly three decades, the iconic event paid tribute to Allan H. "Bud" Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Joseph J. Plumeri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group, Paul Polman, Chief Executive Officer, Unilever and Jessye Norman, legendary performing artist.

Allan H. (Bud) Selig

Paul Polman

Joseph Plumeri

Jessye Norman

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
301 Park Ave
New York, NY 10022

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