Band Together for Veterans

Annual Fundraiser Presented by The JSJBF

Band Together is a charity event organized by local musicians Charlie Wuth and John Fernandez in conjunction with production services by the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation. The purpose is to generate some much-needed funding for local programs that provide treatment for combat-related PTSD, services to the veteran homeless, and suicide prevention.

Veteran’s Day November 11 2023

At D’jais Oceanview Bar & Cafe, 1801 Ocean Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719

DONATION: $20 admission – Veterans & Active Duty Military are Free

Proceeds go to local organizations that support local vets

This event also brings veterans’ friends and families to enjoy a day of great music performances. Each year we bring some of the best local, regional, and national musicians together. We thank them for donating their time and incredible talent to this worthy cause.

Each band performing on the Front Stage included at least one Veteran as a member. We also tried to draw attention to the overlooked female veterans that serve our country. They do not get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. Two of the groups contain a female veteran.

Photo Gallery of Band Together for Veterans

Photographs by John Posada.

Donald "Bootsy" Lewis — This is Donald “Bootsy” Lewis, a vet who we lost to cancer this year. A Great guy and a great player. He was a member of the Down Range band that opened the event. This band was comprised totally of Veterans, most of whom are struggling with PTSD.

Many more photos on The Incinerators Facebook Page

How Band Together for Veterans Got Started

The first Band Together for Veterans took place in 2016 organized by Matt D’esposito, John Fernandez and Charlie Wuth. The event was born when the JSJBF fundraising workgroup called Band Together was working on a Harp N’ Help event. The idea was to host an event with bands that had at least one veteran in the group. The first Band Together for Veterans event was held in 2016 and raised $5,000.00. It was such a success that we decided to do it every year.

This event is produced by The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation a 501 (C3) Non-Profit organization.