The king of boogie woogie, Jools Holland, will be performing improvised duets of the great classic songs of 20th century blues and soul – duetting with a man who has been totally blind from birth and who has severe autism. Derek Paravacini is just one of the 12 people with autism or Asperger Syndrome who will be performing at the Savoy Theatre in London on October 5th 2008, at 6pm. The concert aims to raise money for much needed autism research and to highlight the positive side of autism.All too often the only side of autism that receives attention is the image of disability – individuals who cannot communicate or do so with great difficulty, and who have trouble reading social cues and forming social relationships. But the other side of autism can involve talent, in areas like drawing and music.Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University said “Autism and Asperger Syndrome invariably involves excellent attention to detail, and a strong love of systems and predictability. Music perfectly suits the autistic brain because it is systematic and predictable, unlike the social world, where people say and do things unexpectedly. I am delighted that this concert – featuring 12 people with autism spectrum conditions – will show some of the hidden talent in people with these disabilities”.Jools Holland OBE said “I first hosted the Autism and Music Concert in Cambridge in 2006 and was blown away by the remarkable talent in these young musicians. Some of them had never played in public before, and the concert was their opportunity to get them out of their bedrooms, playing only for themselves, to give them a platform to play for others. The London concert will be a celebration of autism and Asperger Syndrome and I am very proud to be helping in this celebration. It is a double pleasure that this concert will not just boost the self-confidence of people on the autistic spectrum and showcase their potential, but also help raise funds for much needed autism research.”Other performers include Sally Thomas, Rozagy, Bugra Cankir, David Dreebin and The Beathovens.

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