Singer-songwriter Syd sizzles at Jazzman's

ANGELINA WAGNER STAFFWRITER/WEBEDITOR

AMW722@CABRIN1.EDU Ar--D CECELIA FRANCISCO STAFFV.'RJTER

CMi'22@o\fflUNI-.~ •

Vermont-native singer-songwriter Syd graced a low-rise stage situated in Jazzman 's Cafe on Wednesday,Sept. 17, at 7 p.m., for a Campus Activities and Programming board-sponsored, Coffeehouse. The scene was set and the mood was right for an hour long acoustic set. Playing along with Syd on a second guitar was his long time childhood friend, Tuck.

"Tuck and I have been friends for like, sjpce we.were ti:lcc-eight,:•.Syd said. "I played drums in a band with Tuck through high school."

KELLYWAYL»miSTAff PHOTOGRAPHER

A dance instructor led the attendants and students in three different styles of dance. dance instructor that dazzled the attendants and students on four styles of dance: the merengue, the salsa, the cha cha, and tango Each style of dance has its roots in Hispanic Culture. "It was a lot of fun," Ramos said. The night ended with the song "Obsesion," and a bachata hop towards unity and a sense of happiness.

Ann Marie White and Elidari Ramos were recognized by Martha Dale and Rachel Slaughter for contributing immensely Saturday night.

"They [ Ann Marie White and Elidari Ramos] put a lot into the celebration, they deserve a lot of credit," Dale said.

The night's proceeds are intended to contribute toward the Renee Spellman Scholorship Fund. Renee Spellman was the SGA president, class of '72. She was known for her outstanding achievements and contributions toward Cabrini College.

Each year, a junior of color is chosen to receive the award honoring Spellman, who died tragically of cancer. Last year the award was given to Lin Laim, now a senior education major.

For more information reguarding the Alumni Diversity Council, contact Rachel Slaughter at ext.8506 or Martha Dale at ext.8252.

Syd began writing and performing his own solo music since he was 15. At I 7, Syd self-released his first recordings. Using school grant money and a four-track recorder, he released the songs online. With the help of Mp3.com, he sold hundreds of copies of this initial solo acoustic release.

"I was at a punk show one night and they were like, ·we need somebody to play' and I was like 'I have some songs!"' Syd said. "And 1 played and I got a really good reac- tion and it's kinda just been going from there."

Syd isn't all music, though. He attended Emerson College in Boston, which boasts itself as the ollly private college devoted exclusively to communications and performing arts. There he studied new media and marketing.

Students came out to enjoy the coffee and acoustic styling of this first Coffeehouse of the year.

"I really enjoyed the Coffeehouse," junior Jaclyn Fox, a history/political science major, said. ''The band was very good. The only problem was the bad acoustics in Jazzman 's."

While some students attending found that the sound simply became muffled and eaten up by the room, Syd enjoyed the setting at Jazzman's.

"This is great!" Syd said "This was awesome! Usually when I'm at a coffeehouse, it stinks because like, there's like cappuccino machines making frosty noises and everybody's eating and not paying attention. But this crowd was awesome. That was really, really fun."

The crowd showed enthusiasm to a couple of cover songs which Syd played He played songs sucb as Ace of Base's "I Saw The Sign," and M.C. Hammer's "Can't Touch this," at which point Syd called people up to dance. Among the local Cabrini students, two girls who belonged to Syd's fan chm ventured out from Glenside to see him perform.

Syd candidly spoke during and after his acoustic set, telling the crowd about his relationship with friend Tuck. "We had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Club," Syd said.

After the set, Syd sold copies of his CD, "WeekDays, WeakKnees." A sign up for his mailing list and stickers were also available at the show. Syd autographed many copies of the CD and spoke to many of the remaining fans.

Syd is not just a mediocre local singer who's trying to get his name out. He opened for John Mayer at a concert in Nashville. He also spent the summer in Ventura, Calif., working on a record with John Hannigan (who did some tracks with Jack Johnson on his last record). He also opened for The Zombies (most well known for the 60's hit "Time of The Season").

Want to learn more about Syd and his music? Visit www.sydband.com.