Photo courtesy of Event: TRIPI: CLOSE TO FIRE, Album Release and Grief Support Benefit Concert
An extraordinary gathering of accomplished musicians will come together in New York City on Friday, October 30, for TRIPI: CLOSE TO FIRE, an all-star album release celebration and grief support benefit concert. Hosted and organized by recording artist Tony Tripi, who performs as TRIPI, the special evening will take place at The Cutting Room at 9:00 PM, bringing together an impressive lineup of veteran performers for a deeply personal and meaningful cause.
The concert celebrates the release of Close to Fire: Roman's Anthology Release Part I, Tripi's most intimate and collaborative musical project to date. Recorded primarily at Dug Deep Production, with additional sessions at three other studios, the album features nearly two dozen accomplished musicians, many with strong connections to the New York and Asbury Park music communities.
The October 30 event will feature a live performance of the complete album, special guest appearances, and musical collaborations that reflect the project's central themes of remembrance, connection, and healing.
Beyond the remarkable musical talent, the evening carries an important humanitarian mission. Held during International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, the benefit seeks to raise awareness and support for families, caregivers, and communities navigating grief.
As part of the event, a scholarship will be awarded to support specialized grief training for healthcare professionals, helping them develop the skills and understanding needed to assist families coping with sudden and traumatic loss. The training also provides continuing education credits for participating healthcare professionals.
The evening's lineup features an exceptional collection of musicians whose collective professional credits include recordings, performances, and collaborations with some of the most recognizable names in popular music.
Among the featured performers are Tommy Byrnes, Billy Joel's longtime music director; Marc Ribler, music director for Steven Van Zandt; Johnny Gale, whose credits include The Irishman, Vinyl, and A Bronx Tale; Andrew Carillo, associated with Joan Osborne; Andy Burton, whose credits include Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul, John Mayer, and Cyndi Lauper; and Rob Clores, who has worked with The Black Crowes, Enrique Iglesias, and Tom Jones.
Also appearing are Jack Daley and Aaron Comess of Spin Doctors; Jesse Wagner, whose credits include Steven Van Zandt, Lenny Kravitz, Chic, and Kid Rock; Joe DeJesu, associated with Mike DelGuidice; Mark Tripi and Andrew Daniels of Buffalo, New York; and Texas-based musician Danny Brooks.
For Tripi, the album represents far more than another musical release. Born in Western New York, he survived a near-fatal house fire at the age of three, an experience that left him and his brothers hospitalized with severe burns. His subsequent journey through personal adversity, recovery, and professional reinvention has helped shape both his songwriting and his understanding of the transformative power of music.
Blending rock and soul with deeply personal storytelling, Close to Fire explores grief not simply as an experience of loss, but as an emotional journey through remembrance, resilience, and human connection.
"I realize I could probably write a novel about this album," says Tripi. "The moments with the doctors at the hospital, the Priest, and the families who have reached out. This has touched so many lives and has grown into something I could never have imagined. There are so many stories to tell. It is my hope that by coming together in a shared musical community, we can lean on each other when the grief is too much to carry on our own."
The concert will also be filmed for future release and a planned docuseries, extending the music and its message beyond the live performance.
At its heart, TRIPI: CLOSE TO FIRE reflects music's remarkable ability to bring people together during life's most difficult moments. By combining an outstanding collection of professional musicians with a commitment to grief awareness and education, the event promises an evening that is both musically memorable and profoundly meaningful.
For New York music enthusiasts, the October 30 concert offers a rare opportunity to experience an intimate performance featuring musicians whose careers have helped shape popular music for decades, while supporting a cause rooted in compassion, remembrance, and community.
Event Information
Event: TRIPI: CLOSE TO FIRE, Album Release and Grief Support Benefit Concert
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: Doors: 8:30 PM - Show: 9:00 PM - 21+
Venue: The Cutting Room, New York City
Host and Organizer: Tony Tripi (TRIPI)
Album: Close to Fire: Roman's Anthology Release Part I
Purpose: Supporting grief awareness, education, and specialized training for healthcare professionals
Tickets and Information: $22.68
Book Now through the official ticketing page.
0 Comments