Fairfield 'School of Rock' Band to Play at Medical Benefit

"The School of Rock," which has offices in Shelton and Fairfield, will play at a benefit involving classic rock star Rick Derringer.

The "Night of Music," benefitting St. Vincent’s Lebo-DeSantie Center for Pancreatic Cancer, takes place  Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. at the Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts.

This is the fourth annual benefit concert held in memory of Keith Lebo and Jim DeSantie.

Performers will be the Fairfield "School of Rock" House Band; Christopher Robin, originally from Fairfield; and Doug Wahlberg.

Christopher Robin, who has played with Gregg Allman, The Marshall Tucker Band, Robert Cray and B.B. King, will come in from Arizona to perform a few songs.  Robin has supported the concerts in all prior years and is an avid supporter of the cause.

The Doug Wahlberg Band has traveled internationally and have performed with The Doors and Peter Tosh.  Doug has worked on projects that included such legends as Rick Derringer, Elton John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin and David Bowie’s guitarist.

Tickets for this special event are $100, $75 and $50. A limited number of tickets available to the Meet & Greet after the performances with the bands are available for an additional $20 (Note: admission to Meet & Greet is included in $100 concert tickets). Tickets may be purchased at https:give.stvincents.org/nightofmusic2013 or at ANightofMusic.com.

A Night of Music will be hosted by radio personality, Brian Smith.  Brian was host of 99.1 WPLR's longest running morning show, he also hosted his own afternoon talk show on WICC-AM, and more recently was a news anchor on FM News 101.9 in New York City.  He writes for various publications, and his website, BrianSmithRadio.com.

Keith Lebo, a lifelong area musician started playing clubs at 14 years old. He played in several area bands during his musical career. Keith passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2009. One year later his brother-in-law, Jim DeSantie passed away from pancreatic cancer. 

"Jim was a proud Marine and proud of his country. He lived his life with a high moral standard that never wavered. This is the fourth annual benefit concert that has been organized by their wives, Charlene Lebo and Suzanne DeSantie in memory of their husbands," according to a press release.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with refreshments, cash bar and a silent auction, followed by the concert at 6 p.m. A special “meet and greet” session with Rick Derringer, Doug Wahlberg, Christopher Robin and the School of Rock will begin after the performance for ticket holders of the $100 seats.  Other concert ticket holders may attend the Meet-and-Greet for an additional $20.