It was a night of musical milestones and surreal collaborations as The Cutting Room celebrated its 25th anniversary with a star-studded performance that left the audience—and a group of young students—breathless.
The Rockit Academy’s “Groovin’” band took the stage at the legendary Manhattan venue to perform a set of classic Rascals hits, joined by industry legends Eddie Brigati, Susan Brigati, and Mark Rivera. The students’ dedication to the craft was on full display; traveling from as far as Nashville and New Hampshire—some even juggling the pressure of mid-term exams—the high school and college musicians arrived by planes, trains, and automobiles to ensure they didn’t miss a beat.
The performance reached a fever pitch when actor and comedian Bill Murray invited the students back under the spotlight for an impromptu jam session of “Expressway to Your Heart.” The spontaneous performance was anchored by none other than iconic bandleader Paul Shaffer, who directed the young musicians in real-time.
For the students, the evening offered a rare masterclass in stagecraft. Beyond the performance, they had the opportunity to engage with a “who’s who” of the music world, including Corey Glover, Will Calhoun, Felicia Collins, Marc Ribler, Andy Burton, Rupert Holmes, Simon Kirke, Steve Conte, and Michael Monroe.
The evening served as a tribute to Steve Walter, the visionary behind The Cutting Room, which has long served as a home for the Rockit Academy in New York City. As the venue marks a quarter-century of history, this anniversary event proved that its most important legacy may be the mentorship it provides to the next generation of performers.
