Autistic musicians rock Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival

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There was nothing not funky about the Spectrum’s version of “Play that Funky Music White Boy” at the Syria Shrine Center in Harmar on Sunday for the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival.

But there was an aura — something almost supernatural and powerful — that wowed the crowd.

Maybe it had something to do with all of the musicians in the band being on the autism spectrum, hence the name, and the lead singer. 8-years-old, with ADHD.

“Kids who aren’t on the spectrum can’t always perform like this,” said Ellen Allen, of McCandless, whose son Xavier, also autistic, sang during the festival Saturday.

For the last several years, proceeds from the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival have benefitted the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Band Together Pittsburgh.

Band Together is a community-based nonprofit that uses the power of music to enrich the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

But the festival takes it another step forward: The autistic musicians who have been showing up at Band Together Pittsburgh’s monthly open mic nights at Steamworks Creative in Hampton played during the two-day festival.

“It was amazing,” said Xavier, who started playing keyboards at the age of 2, then went on to sing in the school choir.

“I like ‘riffin,” he said.

Xavier does get a little help these days with voice lessons at Brighton Music Center in Ross Township.

“His character changes when he gets a hold of that microphone,” said Xavier’s mother, Ellen Allen. “It’s almost as if his autism fades, and all the nervousness and fear goes away.”