A Suffolk event set for next month will draw hundreds of jazz fans to the area for what’s being touted as the best jazz concert on the East Coast.

The Suffolk Riverfront Jazz Festival will feature the likes of Spyro Gyra, Brian Culbertson, Boney James and Stanley Jordan — easily some of the most recognized and influential names in jazz, according to Aubrey Wilson.

“The city of Suffolk has never had an act this strong,” Wilson said. “This show basically puts Suffolk on the map.”

About 5,000 people are expected for the two-day festival, which will be held July 28-29 at Constant’s Wharf. It also will feature acts such as Lezlie Harrison, Jeff Bradshaw, Soulon and Cindy Bradley.

The headliners aren’t meant to take away from the true meaning of the event, though. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Gladys Gatlin Foundations, which provide support for female veterans struggling with issues ranging from a lack of job opportunities to the trauma of sexual assault during their service.

“Most people are unaware of the plight that the female veterans are experiencing,” said Wilson, director of the foundation. “They get raped. There’s no such thing as a daycare at the VA center. Most of them are homeless within two weeks of getting out. They can’t keep a job because they need some counseling, they need some therapy. It’s an ugly little story.”

Wilson said the foundation aims to help female veterans overcome their barriers through providing transitional and permanent housing, computer resources, financial seminars, assistance with enrolling for benefits and other services.

“There’s a lot of women that are still in this situation,” he said. “We’re trying to do all we can. I can’t change the military, but I can make sure they get a shot at a place to stay.”

Next month’s show will be the second jazz benefit in Suffolk for the foundation. A show was held in March with different acts, but “this concert is just light-years ahead of what we did before,” Wilson said.

He said the organizers took a survey at the March event to determine who visitors would like to see at the next show. Three of the top four vote-getters are in the July lineup.

There are four acts each night, and the music begins at 4 p.m. Both VIP and general admission tickets are available on the website. In addition, general admission tickets may be purchased at the Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 N. Main St.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.suffolkriverfrontjazz.com or www.gladysgatlinfoundations.org.