John A. Santa, Jr. was the founder, visionary and emotional backbone of the Marathon Jam . He and others originally conceived of the Marathon Jam more than 20 years ago as an annual 12-hour music jam where musicians would gather in traditional music circle fashion and generate sponsors and donor fundraising support for their playing to benefit Fisher House’s in Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg.
The Marathon Jam has evolved into a vibrant purpose-driven 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that continues to deliver on the mission of raising funds to support our injured military & first responder heroes and their families. Following John’s leadership, we also continue to provide volunteer musicians who play weekly in Veterans hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.
John left a legacy as a tireless champion who also embraced and encouraged many to join-in the cause of providing “healing through music” for others and themselves. RIP John - a kind, giving and good man.
Here is a special tribute video for a truly special human who inspired many to explore the music in their souls and discover the power of “healing through music” for themselves and others - but especially for those injured military and first responder hero’s and their families.
This video soundtrack is John singing a special song he wrote called “The Blessing of the Strings” which has and will always be the final song played at our annual 12 hour Marathon Jam fundraiser at the end of February each year.
Here also is a link to John’s Celebration of Life service …. thank you to all our musicians who celebrated John with his music during the service as well as afterwards in the “mini-jam”. John would have been pleased we believe.