Setting up the legs and twisting knobs of the drumset looked like a puzzle, but Chris Smith, a junior jazz studies major, quickly and smoothly set up the instrument he’s played since third grade.

Behind the closed stage curtain, members of the Jazz Arranging Syndicate get ready to perform at The House for the weekly Jazz Jam Session.

“It’s purely for the music,” trumpet player Danny Campbell said.

On the other side of the curtain, crowd members chat with friends over cups of coffee and glasses of wine. When the curtain opens, the eight-piece band begins playing songs composed by members of NIU’s Jazz Ensemble.

The NIU Jazz Jam Session is a chance for students in the jazz studies program to display their talents.

From 9 to 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday, the Jazz Arranging Syndicate plays its own compositions. From 10:30 p.m. to midnight, anyone interested in playing can come up to the stage.

“The House is the only place like this in town,” sophomore music major Adam Grise said. “I wish there were more places that had shows like the Jazz Jam.”

Jazz Arranging Syndicate began playing at The House three months ago. The eight-piece band consists of a tenor sax, alto sax, trumpet, trombone, drums, bass, guitar and piano. All compositions are original and written by the members.

“I like all the original music and playing with everyone in the group,” Smith said. “It’s fun to play at The House because people come here to listen to you.”

Chris Veilleux, a senior jazz studies major who plays the alto sax, enjoys writing his own compositions for the group.

“We’re not playing standards,” Veilleux said. “We put a twist on regular standards and compose original compositions.”

While performing on stage, encouraging smiles passed between the members.

“They’re all good friends and I like playing with them,” said guitar player Casey Nielsen, a senior jazz studies major.

The band hopes to book a tour next summer in New Hampshire. Its CD is available for $10 at The House every Wednesday night.

Students like Dave Miller and Victor Garcia, both sophomore jazz studies majors, get a chance to perform during the second half of the session. Miller plays the guitar and Garcia plays the trumpet.

“I got my first trumpet as a freshman in high school,” Garcia said. “My dad handed it to me and said, ‘Stay out of gangs.’ I fell in love with it and decided to pursue it.”

Miller enjoys playing and watching friends play at the jam session.

“The students and faculty are extremely talented and friendly,” Miller said. “And they’re jazz fiends like me.”

One thing is for sure – the night is all about jazz music.

“I’ll live by playing or die by starvation,” Campbell said.