The Concert for Jenn: Honoring a Life & Legacy by Helping Those in Need

Jenn Orr passed away in Nov. 2022 after a nearly two-decades-long battle with mental illness, yet still to this day, her presence is felt.

She speaks through the original music of her brother, Buffalo musician Brendan Orr, whose bands include Canetis and deb.

Meanwhile, the love she so fiercely radiated, and the good she brought to this world, have transcended her death and continues on a daily basis to impact the lives of those she touched while she was here.

“Jenn’s passion for the people, causes and things she cared about was woven into the fabric of who she was,” Brendan said. “She made those who knew her, and those who spent time around her, want to be better. Jenn could light up a room like no one else, and she was just a ‘level of special’ that humanity today is in short supply.”

This Friday, Jenn’s spirt will fill the room at Nietzsche's, where the annual ‘Concert for Jenn’ will be held, honoring her life and legacy. Now in its fourth year, proceeds from the annual fundraiser will benefit the Recovery Options Made Easy (ROME) respite & recovery center on Buffalo's East side, which serves folks struggling with mental illness, addiction, and the intersection of the two.

The Concert for Jenn has raised $39,000 since its inception. This year, Brendan said, his family has set $11,000 as the event’s fundraising goal through tickets sales, donations, and raffles at the show. Reaching that amount would bring the four-year total raised to $50,000. Tickets for Friday’s concert can be purchased HERE, and those who can’t make the show can still donate at this link.

Jenn Orr

“The event is not only a celebration of my sister's life and fundraiser for a vital

community resource, it's also a night to honor anyone we've lost to, or who is currently struggling with, these illnesses,” Brendan said. “Jenn was such a generous human who never hesitated to help people in need, no matter whether it was friends, complete strangers, or community organizations. In so many ways, the purpose of this annual benefit mirrors the purpose with which Jenn led her life.”

This year’s Concert for Jenn features a line-up that spans genres, including Johnny Hart & the Mess, deb., Danielle A., Kevin Sampson & the Night Shift, and Alex McArthur with Grace Lougen.

“We wanted this year’s show to reflect Jenn’s wide-ranging love for different styles of music,” Brendan said. “She was especially a passionate supporter of female musicians. So, when it comes to booking the lineup, it’s always very important we ensure it’s diverse and I would say this year’s roster of artists is probably our most diverse yet.”

Jenn and her brother would often attend concerts together and shared a love for artists such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Jack White to name just a few.

“Jenn was not only a huge supporter of my artistic endeavors, she had a profound influence on the music I grew up listening to as a kid,” said Brendan who also plays in the cover bands, Slow Animals and The Shakermakers, an Oasis tribute. “She was the entire reason that I started to write.”

As Friday’s show approaches, Brendan said it’s important to note that you didn’t have to know his sister to attend.

“This benefit is about community, raising awareness and helping those who might be struggling,” he said. “We want to connect those who are in need with resources that may help them, and we want people to know that we’re here. We want to make sure people know they’re not alone.”