The lights are dim, the audience is captivated, and nothing can be heard but the striking harmony of jazz music as Sacramento State students and local residents take center stage at Capitol Garage.

Capitol Garage is a cafe by day and a local nightclub and lounge by night. It is located in downtown Sacramento and has a tradition of supporting local musical talent.

Every Tuesday night, Capitol Garage offers an open jazz session from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Sac State students and those interested in live music are invited to come out and “jam” with the house band.

These sessions begin with a house band of seven musicians. After this band performs the first set of jazz songs, the stage opens up for other musicians.

Joe Mazzaferro, professor of jazz studies, said he started the Tuesday night tradition nearly two and half years ago.

“I think it has grown into something really good and positive. Everybody comes out and plays and some people just come out and watch. It’s a cool environment. We are not going to push people away who want to play,” Mazzaferro said.

Joe Berry, senior jazz studies major, runs the open jazz sessions and is the saxophone player for the house band.

Berry said the environment at Capitol Garage gives students who are not comfortable or established in the jazz scene a chance to meet and play with other musicians who are professionals around town. He said that playing at Capitol Garage is a great way for students and other musicians to learn from one another.

“It’s kind of educational-based but, at the same time, it’s cool for all musicians in the area,” Berry said.

Mazzaferro said the open jazz sessions have been a way to create a jazz scene in Sacramento and to create a great outlet for older and younger people to listen to each other and network together.

“It’s a really good social atmosphere and a good way to meet people. It is really more about community. Yes, it’s about music, but there is also a sense of community with the musicians and the people,” Mazzaferro said. “I think with our regularity here, it’s become something special.”

Berry said that students who perform at Capitol Garage are trying to keep jazz alive among the younger crowd.

“We are coming out for the love of the music and to bring joy to the jazz community,” Berry said. “Everyone always pins jazz with the old: music for the old people. But you can see there (are) tons of young people.”

Berry said that the environment at Capitol Garage is very welcoming and comfortable.

“It’s a lot of love. Most everybody here all know each other and, if we weren’t friends a year ago, we are friends now because they come out,” Berry said.

Caitlin Clarke, senior classical voice major, was encouraged by Berry to participate in the open jazz sessions. She said that performing at Capitol Garage is one of the most exciting things to her because of the feedback she gets during and after performances.

Clarke said Capitol Garage is a safe place for students to perform.

“It’s comfortable because most of the people that come out are Sac State students, so they are our peers and our friends. So it’s not a really strange place to go and be scared. I think that’s why it’s so special,” Clarke said.

Mazzaferro chose Capitol Garage as a location because it is centrally located and easy for students to get to. He also said that the nightlife around Capitol Garage draws a large and diverse crowd of students and musicians from various regions.

“This is the kind of place to come down (to). We have had musicians from everywhere. We have had musicians come in from New York, Chicago, Boston, and Tennessee,” Mazzaferro said.

Miranda Marsalla can be reached at [email protected]