A musical tribute is being organized to celebrate the life of an eight-year-old Fredericton boy who died suddenly in June.

Jackson Wright was struck by an out-of-control vehicle while he was playing in his neighbourhood, and now the community is coming together to raise money and honour his love of music.

“It’s a fundraiser, but it’s in a sense a tribute to Jackson’s family and the kind of character he was,” says Don Bosse, the director of the St. Thomas University Jazz Ensemble.

STU Jazz performs two concerts each year, and this year Bosse approached the Wright family with the idea of paying tribute to Jackson, with donations at the door going to the Jackson Wright Youth Fund.

The initiative will help families who couldn’t otherwise afford to send their children to camp.

“This just seemed like an ideal second tribute to Jackson,” says his father, Jeff Wright.

Efforts are also underway to improve the playground at Jackson’s school, Connaught Street Elementary, in his memory and to honour his love of physical activity.

The legacy project quickly turned into a community one.

“Even had a couple matching gifts from the Clark Family Foundation, as well as the province, totals to date are significant, over $150,000,” says Wright.

As for the upcoming STU Jazz tribute, it will include music chosen especially for Jackson.

“He loved the Blues Brothers, so we’re doing a Blues Brothers tune,” says Bosse. “He was a big Red Sox fan, so we’re going to do ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond, but the Fenway version.”

“Ever since we moved to New Brunswick, we made an annual trip to Fenway Park, and Jackson was a Big Red Sox fan and, of course, we’d always sing that in the 8th inning at Fenway,” says Wright.

“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is also on the song list.

“We had that song performed at his service in June,” says Wright.

The concert will be held at St. Thomas University on Dec. 9. Wright says he expects it will be bittersweet for his family.

“We hope that it’s very positive. It will be a very emotional evening for us, but we’ve found these emotional undertakings are difficult, but always worth it in the end,” he says. “A couple of Jackson’s pals will also perform some small numbers, so I hope it will be a cheery event for everyone."

With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore