Band Together Pittsburgh founders earn international Communitas Award for autism programs

Music can be a stabilizing force and an anchor in one’s life. It’s certainly been that for Ron Esser of Frazer Township, whose longstanding love for live music — the blues in particular — led him to become the owner of Moondog’s and the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox.

Esser and Pittsburgh musician John Vento were named 2020 Communitas Award recipients for recognizing music’s positive effects on another community: those affected by autism.

“There was a band, Spectrum, that played at Moondog’s a few years ago, the drummer was nonverbal,” Esser said. “He didn’t speak. But he was really good.”

The drummer was Christopher Brozek of North Huntingdon. Spectrum is composed of musicians on the autism spectrum.

The group opened for Vento’s Nied’s Hotel Band and, over the past few years, have played all over the Pittsburgh region at venues including Jergel’s, Irwin’s Gig on Main, the Lamp Theater, Murrysville’s Concert in the Park and more.

Below, see a short clip of the band performing Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” at the 2018 Walk for Autism Speaks.

Both Vento and Esser recognized an opportunity to engage members of the autism community through music and, in 2016, formed Band Together Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that provides programming, musical experiences and vocational opportunities for those on the autism spectrum.

Programs include drum circles, an autism open mic night, and the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival.

“These kids get a chance to go play in front of thousands of people,” Esser said. “We have a guy who runs our DJ program who’s on the spectrum. I can’t tell you how amazing it is when a woman comes up to you at Walmart, crying, who you don’t even know, and wants to thank you for what you did for her son.”

Through Band Together Pittsburgh, Vento and Esser have organized special events, dances and more. They now join the company of Communitas Award winners like MasterCard, Dow Chemical and Toyota.

Esser, who also has been named the Western PA Fundraising Professionals Volunteer Philanthropist of the Year and is a board member with the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, said the recognition is nice, but he’s not in it for the awards.

“Certainly, our work with Band Together Pittsburgh is something that comes from the heart,” he said. “There’s a ton of things these folks can do. And music brings it out in them.”