Concert Review: EE Fall Experience Celebrates Inclusion and Live Music at The Capitol Theatre

1 day ago

3 min read

The EE Ensemble, joined by Oteil Burbridge, Karl Denson and Jennifer Hartswick, celebrates the power of live music to bring people together.

PORT CHESTER, NY — October 10, 2026 — Live music has always had the power to bring people together, and Saturday night's EE Fall Experience at The Capitol Theatre took that idea to another level. Presented by nonprofit Especially Everyone, the evening celebrated World Mental Health Day and World Inclusion Day with a powerful message: music is a right, not a privilege, and everyone deserves to experience it. At the heart of the celebration was the EE Ensemble, a high-energy funk and jam band featuring neurodivergent and neurotypical musicians. Led by EE founder, vocalist and MC Pete Kozak, the ensemble was joined by an impressive lineup of special guests including Oteil Burbridge (Dead & Company, Allman Brothers Band), Karl Denson (The Rolling Stones, The Greyboy Allstars) and Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), along with several other talented musicians who helped bring the evening to life.

The intimacy of the evening made for a uniquely personal experience. The music was energetic, funky and full of spirit, with a two-set performance spanning funk, soul, R&B and rock classics from artists including Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone, James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Band, but the real magic was happening throughout the room. Children and adults of all abilities were encouraged to dance, move, sing and experience the music in whatever way felt right to them. For many of the children and families in attendance, particularly those navigating significant disabilities, the evening offered something far more meaningful than a typical concert. With sensory-friendly features including a listening lounge, quiet spaces and interactive sound stations, the event removed many of the barriers that can make live music inaccessible. Watching the joy on the faces of children connecting with the music was every bit as moving as the performances onstage.

Especially Everyone's mission is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: music creates connections, builds community and helps break down the isolation so many people experience. Saturday's celebration brought that mission to life in a venue steeped in rock 'n' roll history. It wasn't about a sold-out room, elaborate production or even the impressive musical talent sharing the stage. It was about creating a space where everyone felt welcome, included and free to be themselves. And in a world that could use a little more connection and understanding, that's something worth celebrating. Sometimes the most powerful thing music can do isn't what happens onstage, but what it inspires in the people listening.