Jazzy Jam Welcomed Fall, Brought 600-Plus Together Through Music in Pasadena

More than 600 people came together Sept. 24 at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, California, for an evening celebrating Prince and Michael Jackson. For Jazzy Jam for Empowerment founder Jacqueline “Jackie” Snell, the concert also served a purpose close to home: giving neighbors a place to reconnect as Altadena and Pasadena continued recovering from the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

The free event closed JJE’s 2026 summer concert series and welcomed fall with performances by Andrew Gouché and the Band of Brothers, The Purple Generation and DJ T3. Actress and comedian Kym Whitley hosted the finale, which combined live music with recognition of entertainment industry contributors and activities open to the community.

Snell’s description of the evening explained why bringing people together mattered.

“I’m so pleased we were blessed to build bridges with the community and to provide music that is healing for the soul for everyone,” she said.

The fire had occurred more than a year earlier, but its impact remained part of the communities’ lives. For Snell, the concert offered an opportunity to share music and enjoy time together during that continuing recovery.

A Place for Neighbors to Reconnect

Snell founded Jazzy Jam for Empowerment, or JJE, as a community initiative dedicated to bringing people together through music, culture and meaningful experiences that inspire hope, healing and connection. Its concerts and community programming create welcoming spaces where people of different backgrounds can build relationships.

At the finale, free general seating supported that mission. People could attend the concert without purchasing a ticket, with optional reserved seating upgrades available.

Keeping the event accessible helped make room for the broad community Snell wanted to reach. The program included arts and vendors, games, raffles, prizes and line dancing, giving attendees several ways to participate beyond watching the performances.

For neighbors navigating the lasting effects of a disaster, an evening together can carry a simple but meaningful purpose. It creates time to reconnect outside the demands of recovery and offers a shared experience that people can enjoy at their own pace.

Music gave this event that shared focus. Attendees did not need the same background or belong to the same generation to take part in a tribute to artists whose work has reached audiences for decades.

“There were so many walks of life and generations that gathered,” Snell said. “It was a wonderful diversity of people, and that is what Altadena and Pasadena are all about!”

Her observation put the people attending at the center of the story. The finale celebrated the diversity of the communities JJE serves while giving neighbors a reason to spend an evening together.

Music That Connected Generations

Prince and Michael Jackson’s catalogs provided the musical foundation for the concert. Their songs offered longtime listeners a connection to familiar music and younger audiences an opportunity to experience that legacy through live performance.

Gouché brought a direct professional connection to both artists. The acclaimed bassist and musical director has worked with Prince and Michael Jackson during a career spanning gospel, R&B and popular music. His credits also include Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and The Winans.

Gouché’s work with both artists gave his appearance with the Band of Brothers a personal connection to the tribute. The Purple Generation, a Los Angeles-based Prince tribute band known for its high-energy celebration of his music, joined the lineup alongside DJ T3.

The program also recognized people whose contributions helped bring familiar music to audiences.

The Waters Family attended as special guests and received recognition for their contributions to music. Their voices have appeared on hundreds of gold and platinum recordings, with collective credits including work with Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, the Jackson 5, Adele and Donna Summer.

Acknowledging the family brought attention to the vocalists behind recordings that have been part of listeners’ lives across generations.

Veteran entertainment publicist Jalila Larsuel, who previously worked as Michael Jackson’s publicist, was also honored. Rep. Judy Chu, Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton and radio host Pat Prescott recognized her longstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and continued support of JJE.

Her recognition connected a career in entertainment with the ongoing work of supporting community programming.

A Reason to Look Ahead

Whitley was so impressed by the evening that she told the crowd of more than 600 people she would return for next year’s Jazzy Jam Summer Concert Series.

Known for her work in “The Parkers,” “Young & Hungry” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Whitley also stars alongside Tommy Davidson in the Paramount+ comedy “The Varnell Hill Show.” Her announcement gave the close of this year’s series a connection to the next one.

Major sponsor Nadrich Law Corporation, along with additional business and community supporters, helped make the finale possible.

For Snell, the evening’s meaning rested in the bridges it built. As Altadena and Pasadena continued recovering from the Eaton Fire, JJE provided a place where people could share music, reconnect with neighbors and celebrate the communities they call home.

The summer series ended with more than 600 people taking part in that experience—and a host who said she wanted to come back.

More information about Jazzy Jam for Empowerment and its community programming is available at www.jazzyjamforempowerment.org.