BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Following their December 2024 performance, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Ridgefield Theater Barn, is excited to present the Pete Wikul Band on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM on the Theater Barn main stage (37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield). Join us for a fabulous, fun evening of marvelous jazz, some lesser known gems, as well as holiday treats featuring superb musicians who, having performed all over the world, bring their collective groove back to Ridgefield for this very special evening!
Seating is cabaret style and patrons are invited to bring their own food and beverage! Beverages and light snacks will also be available to purchase.
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS …
CAPT Pete Wikul, USN (Ret.), Drums
Captain Peter Wikul retired after thirty-nine years of distinguished service as the 13th Bullfrog of the US Navy, a title honoring as the longest-serving active duty Navy SEAL. Wikul’s achievements have been many ranging from co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize to spearheading the creation of an intelligence program initially intended to provide direct operational support to deployed SEAL Teams in combat to one of the four pillars of the Office of Naval Intelligence – The Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center – CAPT Wikul was its first commanding officer. Since retirement Pete continued his active lifestyle by focusing on areas of national security, advising corporate America, mentoring young leaders, and working with some of the country’s top musicians to preserve the great American musical genre of Jazz as a drummer and band leader. Pete resides in Ridgefield, but can often be found playing gigs in the local area and in a number of clubs in New York City or traveling across the country spreading a message of musical inspiration.
Jay Prince, Guitar & Vocals
Jay Prince is Mr. Music, the local music legend who knows every tune in the book! Owner of Hal Prince Music & Entertainment, Jay performs regularly with Jay Prince & Friends, a nine piece group of NYC touring and session musicians playing an eclectic mix of Funk, Rock, and R&B. Before “American Idol” and “The Voice”, Jay was the runner-up for Ed McMahon’s “Star Search”; has played with Donna Summer, Daryl Hall, Bernie Williams among many others; and has sung on a bunch of jingles and industrials.
Jerry Sokolov, Trumpet
Trumpeter Jerry Sokolov has had a long association with the world-renowned Grammy-winning band, Blood Sweat and Tears. He was with the band full time from 1988 until 1995. Since then he has continued doing interim stints and varied concert appearances with the band as recently as 2016. He is one of the few people who has performed with the band in four different decades. Prior to that, he spent a year touring with Lionel Hampton’s Big band and smaller ensembles. He was a National Endowment for the Arts grant winner for performance and composition with a jazz quintet and string quartet. Other performances and recording credits include Frankie Valli, Rosemary Clooney, Dizzy Gillespie, subs with The Village Vanguard Big Band, Clark Terry, Special EFX, Dan Siegel, Bill Warfields Big bands, bandleader with Carnival Cruises, national and local jingle recording spots, and numerous jazz CDs of NYC based artists. He continues to be a busy trumpeter for all kinds of performances in the NY area.
Ken Gioffre, Tenor Sax
Saxophonist Ken Gioffre has recorded for the Sony, Universal, Blue Note-Manhattan, MCA, Dennon, and Sire labels. He has also performed and recorded for the ABC, NBC, CBS, A&E, HBO, ESPN, and BET television networks. Mr. Gioffre appeared nightly on the television show New York at Night and has also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC’s Today Show, HBO’s The Sopranos, A &E’s Breakfast With The Arts, Fox News’ Fox and Friends, Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival as well as the movie Last Holiday starring Queen Latifa.
In addition to his national and international tour experience, he has performed or recorded with Nancy Wilson, B. B. King, Dianne Reeves, Tito Puente, Mose Allison, Ruth Brown, The Temptations, Cab Calloway, Dr. John, Michael Bolton, Queen Latifa, Lou Rawles, Martha Reeves, Donny Osmond, Jimmy Webb, Buddy Guy, Ben E. King, The Wynans, Kid Creole, Toots Thielmans, Dave Kozz, Eddie Money, KC and the Sunshine Band, John Pattitucci, Will Lee, Randy Brecker and many, many others. Mr. Gioffre currently tours and records as saxophonist for Smokey Robinson.
Rob Aries, Piano
Rob Aries is a keyboard player and bassist for Average White Band. Rob also happens to be a formidable jazz player with an extensive playing and recording career.
Brian Glassman, Double Bass
One of NYC area’s most in-demand double bassists, Brian Glassman is best known for his work in Jazz, and Klezmer musical styles.He has worked with Jazz greats including Paquito d’Rivera, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Lionel Hampton, Kenny Burrell, Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, Gene Bertoncini, and Billy Cobham just to name a few. Some of the Klezmer music stars that Brian has worked with include Andy Statman, Frank London & The Klezmatics, Alicia Svigals, Mandy Patinkin, Theodore Bikel, Adrienne Cooper, and Neshama Carlebach. Brian and his historic c.1820’s Prescott American double bass are featured on recorded releases from Neshama Carlebach, Woody Mann, Carol Hall, Andy Statman, Klezmerfest, Liza Minnelli, and the Johnny Rodgers Band. Brian is an Ambassador of American Music for the U.S. State Dept. and Instructor of Jazz Bass at Princeton University. He can be heard performing regularly at NYC’s iconic Carlyle Hotel and Morgan Library & Museum.
Jens Wendelboe, Trombone
Jens Wendelboe (born in Copenhagen, Denmark and raised in Oslo, Norway), is a Norwegian trombonist, composer, music arranger and orchestra leader, known from collaborations with artists like Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Bill Watrous, Monty Alexander, Donna Summer and Blood, Sweat and Tears.
