Ridgefield Playhouse to Host Ridgefield BandJam, 4/27

In what has become a much anticipated annual fundraiser at The Ridgefield Playhouse, BandJam 2014 will showcase the best middle and high school band finalists who will compete for the coveted title in front of industry pros on Sunday, April 27, at 4 p.m. Pictured are the bands in the High School category that will rock out to compete for the title: Juice, Birdwalk, Apollo's Legacy and Plethora of Nothing. Middle school bands that will vie for the title are Dysfunctional 4, The Next Generation, Ulterior Motives and Marmalade Sky. This year's celebrity judges include Paul Pesco, a masterful guitarist whose list of credits reads like a "who's who" of the entertainment industry, as Paul has recorded and toured with Madonna, Annie Lennox, Steve Winwood, Chaka Kahn, Hall and Oates, Jeff Lorber, Whitney Houston, George Benson, Joan Baez, Celine Dion and more top artists. Broadway star Linda Eder, who showcases one of the greatest contemporary voices with a range that spans the standards, pop, country and jazz. DJ Ethan Carey of i95fm radio will also judge. Pizza Via's Pizza Truck will be serving up slices for sale in the Playhouse parking lot beginning at 3 p.m. Comedian Christine O'Leary will emcee. BandJam 2014 is underwritten by The Guitar Center, Enchanted Gardens Studios, Pepsi, Pizza Via, Ridgefield Music Studios and The Music Shed, which is also providing musical direction for the bands, with media sponsor i95fm The Home of Rock 'n' Roll.

Ridgefield BandJam was the brainchild of some enterprising students, some musicians themselves -- Cole Butchen, Michael Rosamalia and Tucker Hearon. After learning that the not-for-profit Ridgefield Playhouse was struggling in the economic downturn six years ago, the students produced a benefit event that satisfied their passion for music while providing financial support for the Playhouse, and "Ridgefield BandJam" was born. The boys even developed the RidgefieldBandJam.com Web site to promote the event.

For tickets to BandJam 2014 ($20, $15 students), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or go to ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.