Meet Ken Aigen of the Sound Shore’s ‘Grateful Dead’

On a quiet Wednesday night in Port Chester dozens of Deadheads milled around the front of Garcia’s bar and music venue anxious for the show to start. It was not during the nine-night Furthur run that brought thousands of hippies from across the country to The Capitol Theatre.

On this Wednesday night, the fans were there to see the Stella Blues Band, a group of seven local men who are dedicated to recreating the experience of being at a Grateful Dead show.

Each musician became “hooked” on Dead music as teenagers, most from going to their first live show. Decades later and they are grateful for the opportunity to be creating live shows of their own at Westchester and Connecticut area venues.

 By day the band members are working in finance, on CNBC or in music therapy, but on show nights, the collective group is dedicated to the poetic lyrics, the chance to improve, the thrill of performing live and the passionate fan base. 

The group was founded in 2009 with five original members and has grown into seven today.

The band consists of Bill Bonacci, a New Rochelle resident who sings and plays lead guitar; Steve Liesman, a Pelham resident who sings and plays rhythm guitar; Greg Solomon, a Greenwich resident who plays bass; Ken Aigen, a Hastings resident who plays keyboards; Marc Loponte, a Rye resident who sings; Chuck Black, a Rye resident on the drums and JP Geoghegan, also on the drums.

During their recent residency at Garcia’s the group attracted hundreds of music lovers and true Deadheads who knew the lyrics as well as the band. They have about a 100-song repertoire and strive to avoid repeat songs. During their last night at Garcia’s the fans picked the songs.

Patch stopped in early on their final night at Garcia’s to ask the band members a few questions about their time at the venue, what attracted them to Grateful Dead music, and how they balance family, work and shows. We also made them each pick their favorite Dead song.

This is the last in a series of Q&As with each band member. 

Name: Ken Aigen

Age: 56

Instrument: Keys

Occupation: Music Therapist at New York University 

Town: Hastings 

What do you like about playing Dead music?

I was 16-years-old when I first saw the Grateful Dead and that was 40 years ago in 1973--really hard to believe. I'm 56 now and the only hard thing about performing is moving all the equipment! The gigs are easy. Like I tell everyone, I play for free--the money is for hauling all our stuff around!

How do you like your job of choosing a set list? Do you play in tact shows?

I like not doing in tact shows because it gives me the latitude to shape the contours of the show and the experience for fans. I feel like I am a composer. 

How did you get into the Grateful Dead?

I was into Led Zeppelin, King Crimson and other harder music. I decided to do some consciousness exploration with a friend who was into that and the Dead. He played the Dead for me and the music opened up a whole new laid back vibe.

What is your favorite Dead song?

Tennessee Jen (Ken had to think about it while he played the first set and come back with an answer at set break).

 What does your family think of the band?

My family is very supportive. My wife Benedikte has no issue with the amount of time we spend on performances and rehearsals, and my 22-year-old daughter Sara was instrumental in encouraging me to keep looking for a band that suited my musical tastes when I was having difficulty doing so about 4-5 years ago. My 18-year-old son Daniel is also supportive, but no so much that he's actually made it to a show yet! But I've got him promised for our gig at Sullivan Hall in Manhattan on September 12.

How do you balance work, personal life with the band?

 It's been really easy for the past year because I've been on a research sabbatical so I've had no regular appointments, commitments, or classes to teach. It will be more challenging this fall when I start a new position at New York University with new responsibilities, but the flexibility of an academic lifestyle lends itself to being able to maintain a regular performance schedule.