RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

PAINTING THE TOWN BLUE

How the Gahanna music scene, and local musician Zayne Harshaw, is striving to include individuals on the autisim spectrum

By Michele Mooney

If you have attended the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival or have visited Signatures or Gatsby’s, you probably have heard the musical talent of Zayne Harshaw and his band, Blue Spectrum.

The self-taught guitarist from Gahanna who was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old, found his voice through music. According to Gene Harshaw, Zayne's father, after a few years of playing "Guitar Hero", Zayne asked for a real guitar when he was 12 years old. It was through watching YouTube videos of famous guitarists like Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix that he learned how to play. Although he cannot read music, Zayne was identified by a music teacher as having “perfect pitch” – which enables him to identify any musical note by name simply by hearing it, without reference to other notes.

“Playing the guitar always would calm Zayne down,” said Gwendolyn Harshaw, Zayne’s mother. “Music has completely transformed his life and our family’s.”

↑ Zane Harshaw

In 2013, when Zayne was in high school, his parents started an Autism Teen Play Date to create an atmosphere for socialization and friendship using music as the conduit with three other kids on the spectrum. Through this, Blue Spectrum was born.

“Socialization can be very challenging for people with autism,” said Gene Harshaw, Zayne’s father. “Music offered the teens a way to socialize and communicate: we had no idea that they would become a band that now performs locally and regionally.”

Zayne’s talent and love of music continued to grow. When he was in high school, his parents took him to Blues Jams and open mic nights around the City, which usually were hosted at bars.

“Gene and I would often discuss how we wish there was a place that was family-friendly where people on the autism spectrum could gather, socialize and perform,” said Gwendolyn.

Fast-forward eight years. The Harshaw family’s dream will be recognized when Band Together Central Ohio debuts in August in Gahanna, providing a family-friendly, open mic opportunity for people with autism. Band Together Central Ohio follows the model of Band Together, a non-profit organization that started in Pittsburgh to provide innovative programming, experiences, and vocational opportunities to enhance the lives of those on the autism spectrum. Band Together Central Ohio will host open mic events the second Sunday of the month beginning in August at the Gahanna Sanctuary. The Gahanna Foundation is covering the rental cost for the space through the end of the year.

The Harshaws have been advocates for autism awareness for more than 20 years and hope that Band Together Central Ohio provides people with autism and their families with a safe place to connect, be supported and entertained.

“Parenting an autistic child has been a journey that has taught us so much,” said Gene. “Our motto is ‘Life is not to be viewed through the single lens of a diagnosis but to live through the spectrum of potential, promise and purpose.' We are so excited to give additional life to these words through Band Together Central Ohio and to be able to begin this journey right here in our hometown of Gahanna.” ♦