New jazz series connects campus and community at The Fitz

Through a hidden door and down a dark flight of stairs, saxophone riffs and the hum of chatter fill The Fitz, a speakeasy tucked beneath Oh My Darling in downtown Syracuse.  

This is The Scene, a student-run jazz series created this fall by Marianne Solivan, a professional jazz vocalist and assistant professor at Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music. Held one Thursday each month, the series transforms The Fitz into a vibrant space where student musicians and community members come together to celebrate live music. 

Each performance features a student headliner for the first hour, like The Mason Manteau Quartet, who led the Oct. 23 show, followed by an open jam session. 

“Anybody in the house that can play whatever instruments we have up here, they can go on stage,” said Jocey Davis, one of The Scene’s social media coordinators. “It’s supposed to bring people together and get music playing as much as we can.” 

The Impact of a Jazz Jam 

Originating in early 20th-century New Orleans, initially by the African American community, the genre of jazz evolved through improvisation and shared rhythm, and rapidly gained an audience. Famous jazz musicians include Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald.  

Noted for its rhythmic energy, fluid motion, and collaborative nature, jazz is a conversation of sound, and The Scene is keeping the dialogue alive in Syracuse. 

Jam sessions are a key part of jazz and have a deep history. Developed in the 1920s, jams were a place for Black and white musicians to come together and share music. After finishing segregated gigs, these musicians gathered late at night to jam with each other, letting the music cross political and social lines. 

New York City has a large jazz scene, and based in the city, Solivan was inspired to create a similar environment for student jazz musicians to jam in Syracuse.  

“It’s just been a big historical part of the tradition of this music. I live in New York City and it’s a big part of my life as an artist, so I’m really glad that we’re doing this here,” Solivan said. 

Industry Experience 

The Scene is not only a celebration of music, but also a hands-on learning experience for students, who take responsibility for everything from marketing to performance logistics. 

“For those who participate, I think the opportunity to take a professional gig off-campus and establish oneself as a musician in the broader Syracuse community is the biggest benefit,” said CC Cosenza, the head of The Scene’s Public Relations and Communications. 

Students who are booked to play at The Scene are expected to select their music, communicate with The Scene’s team, run rehearsals, and participate in public relations activities. 

“These are all part of what a professional music career may look like post-grad, and being able to experience a taste of the music industry is a great foundation for aspiring musicians and performers,” Cosenza said. 

Community Ties 

Beyond professional preparation, The Scene also serves a larger purpose of bridging Syracuse University and local residents. It isn’t just another campus concert. It’s an experiment in building a jazz community, both within Setnor and beyond. 

“I feel like it’s easy to get stuck on campus at times or for campus to feel like a bubble,” Cosenza said. “But I also believe it’s so important for us to step away from campus from time to time, remind ourselves to stay connected with the real world, and that we don’t have to go far to find it.” 

The Scene’s next installment will be on Nov. 20 from 8-10 pm.