Rocking for Inclusion
A band with a crescendo of talent and a backbeat of autism
Making Stone Pony debut on Saturday, February 28th at 5:00
Rocking for Inclusion (RFI), a new addition to the Jersey music scene, is first and foremost a talented BAND, some of whose members just happen to have autism. It doesn’t define itself by their disabilities but by their passion and devotion to their craft – their love of music and performing for others.
Honing their chops playing festivals and gigs in north Jersey, they’re heading “down the shore” to the legendary Stone Pony, on February 28th taking the stage at 5:00. April finds them further down the Parkway at the Elephant Talk Indie Rock Music Festival in Atlantic City and then back north to Montclair in May for the Walnut Street Fair.
The eight-member band has musical tastes as varied as their personalities and is reflected in their setlists, which include works by: Journey, Black Sabbath, Amy Winehouse, Jefferson Airplane, The Beatles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nirvana, as well as original material.
Andres Ortiz, the drummer, dreamt of establishing a band to showcase the talent of musicians with disabilities and their neurotypical peers. He enlisted Kevin March, his drum teacher and GM of School of Rock Montclair, as well as the drummer for the acclaimed indie rock band Guided by Voices, to get the band going talent-wise and to be its manager. “Music connects me to the neurotypical world, and I want to give other people like me that same chance,” explains Andres. "These musicians have innate talent, real heart and a pure love of music,” observes Kevin. “Theirs is a sound of true inclusion.”
MEET RFI:
Andres Ortiz – 32, founder and drummer from Holmdel, has been behind the kit for 21 years.
Kevin March - 57, co-founder and manager from Montclair, took up the sticks when he was 6.
Rob Benaquista – 42, musical director and guitarist, began strumming at 11.
Jasmine Caldwell – 23, vocalist from Montclair, found her passion at 13 in middle school.
Rebecca Grodek – 20, vocal coach from Middletown, discovered notes when she was 4.
Rosie Grodek – 26, vocalist from Middletown, started singing at 6. Sang lead at Arts for Autism on Broadway.
Jake Mazza – 31, guitarist/bassist/vocalist from Wayne, started on piano at 5 and at 13 picked up the axe.
Tony Puluse – 22, keyboardist/guitarist from Hawthorne, started noodling at 4 and strumming at 16.
Sam Reilly – 34, guitarist/vocalist from Montclair, has been at it for 22 years.
Ezra Rifkin – 26, bassist from Montclair, has been grooving for 14 years.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b5D4lMNixyHUBklzJJ5GDR-m0nccQsTG/view?usp=drivesdk
Photo credit: Ken Riccio