Law School’s band performs this fall at the Beachland Ballroom, Chautauqua Institute, Cleveland Zoo and Browns Stadium | School of Law

Law School’s band performs this fall at the Beachland Ballroom, Chautauqua Institute, Cleveland Zoo and Browns Stadium

Article Date

September 09, 2024

Razing the Bar performing at Jam for Justice

Razing the Bar, �ǿմ�ý School of Law’s faculty/student/alumni rock band, kicked off the 2024 Jam for Justice on Wednesday, Aug. 24. Featuring ten local lawyer bands, the Jam for Justice was held at the famed Beachland Ballroom, where several renowned bands including the Black Keys got their start. The emcee for the Jam for Justice was WKYC’s Stephanie Haney.

The Jam for Justice is an annual fundraiser for Cleveland’s Legal Aid Society. This year’s event raised over $120,000 from sponsors and ticket sales. More than 800 people attended including the �ǿմ�ý 1L class as part of orientation.

Razing the Bar, whose name was chosen through a law school naming contest, was formed more than a decade ago. The band has played at such high profile venues as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, House of Blues, Music Box Supper Club and Happy Dog Tavern.

The band played on Aug. 26 at the Chautauqua Institute, and will perform at the Walk to Defeat ALS at the Cleveland Zoo at 8:30-11:00 a.m. on Sept. 15 and at the Kardiac Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium from 6-9:00 p.m. on Sept. 26.

The band also performs regularly at Cosmic Dave’s Rock Club on Juniper Road in University Circle, with proceeds going to the Student Public Interest Law Fellowship (SPILF).

While faculty—Michael Scharf (vocals, guitar); Charlie Korsmo (keyboards, guitar, vocals); Joe Custer (bass guitar); Katy Mercer (vocals); and Andrew Pollis (vocals)—form the core of the band, Razing the Bar’s identity is redefined each year as student members graduate and new musicians join the law school. This year, the band features three new 1L vocalists selected via video audition tapes over the summer: Laura Beth Baker from Memphis, Michelle Wang from Ottawa (also plays electric violin) and Olivia Thomas from Toledo. They are joined by returning 2Ls Jared Levine from Columbus (drums) and Sophia Fisher from Akron (vocals). The band also includes two alums, Squire Patton Boggs attorney Liz Safier (LAW ’21) (electric violin), and University Trustee Chuck Hallberg (LAW ‘77) (guitar).

Razing the Bar’s set list features classic rock songs from the 1960s through today, with each song showcasing the talents of different band members. “We play songs everyone knows,” said Scharf. “And we love when the audience sings along with us.”