FAIRFIELD, Conn. Amazing things can happen when two people gather more than 500 others to their cause. When the two are sisters Charlene Lebo and Suzanne DeSantie, the result can be a huge amount of money to help fight cancer.
The two Fairfielders started "A Night of Music" last fall in honor of their husbands, Keith Lebo and Jim DeSantie. Both men died of pancreatic cancer Keith in 2009 and Jim in August 2010 during planning for the concert. The event raised more than $56,000 for Swim Across the Sound to benefit the newly christened Lebo-DeSantie Center for Liver and Pancreatic Disease at St. Vincents Medical Center. Its success has spawned a second concert to take place Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
"People couldn't have been nicer or more generous," Suzanne said last year.
That show was a fitting tribute for Keith, a dedicated musician since he was 14. His old groups, the Center Street Band and Shade, were the featured performers, along with his good friend Christopher Robin. The show also served as a debut for his self-titled CD, his only release, published after his death with the help of former bandmate John Young. Like the concert, all profits from the album have gone to cancer research.
"[His music] was never quite perfect, not for him," Charlene said. "But when you listen to it, it's really very outstanding."
Last year's concert paid tribute to Jim as well. Since he was a former Marine, Lebo and DeSantie added an American flag under a spotlight in the corner of the stage to represent Jim.
Three acts are returning this year, The Christopher Robin Band, Daniela Cardillo and To The Max. Still Got The Blues, The Doug Wahlberg Band, and Jason Terry will perform as well, along with special guest Neal Smith from the Alice Cooper Band.
Tickets are available through the Westport Country Playhouse's box office at 203-227-4177 or its website. Click on the video above to see highlights from last years show.
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