New Fairfield resident wins Bandjam 2017

 Taking their third consecutive title, rockers Abby and The Roadsters claimed first place in the middle school division of BandJam 2017, held Sunday April 30th at The Ridgefield Playhouse presented by Mountain Dew with additional support from Guitar Center, Bach to Rock, Ridgefield Music, Enchanted Garden, and The Music Shed. Top high school division honors went to first-timers Gilbert.

They, along with six other area bands—2 Minute Minors from Ridgefield, RED from Stamford, Solid from Redding, Mr. Boy from New Fairfield, Orbit from Weston, and The Playmates from Southbury—lit up the Playhouse stage, performing for family, friends and fans as well as three celebrity judges. On hand to critique each performance were three judges: singer/songwriter/producer Vaneese Thomas, Living Colour bass player Doug Wimbish and i95 FM morning show DJ Ethan Carey.

Abby & the Roadsters is made up of Anton Klettner, 13, Joseph Klettner, 12, Vincent Fontenelli, 14, Jack Reynolds, 13, Calvin Strothenke, 12, and Abby Giansiracusa, 14. Together, they represent South Salem and Katonah, NY, and Danbury and New Fairfield, CT. For their BandJam set, they performed “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin and “Purple Rain” by Prince.

In the high school division, winners Gilbert performed “Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin and original song “Juicing the Swine.” Gilbert band members are Westchester students Tara Curran, 14, Justin Giacchetto, 17, Wilson Yarnall, 15, Owen Hughes, 13, and Eddie Fiscella, 15.

Each winning band took home a prize package including a $500 gift certificate and Rock Show Membership from the Guitar Center, two hours of studio time at Enchanted Garden, a $50 gift certificate from Ridgefield Music, and two hours of rehearsal time plus two hours of studio recording time from Bach to Rock. 

Ridgefield High School students Paige Hearon, Will Rosenthal and Austin Stietzel introduced the show, handing emcee duties off to award-winning comedienne and Playhouse announcer Christine O’Leary. An annual fundraiser for The Ridgefield Playhouse, BandJam has raised more than $100,000 since it first began in 2010.

For more information on this event or upcoming shows, call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.