On the night of Sept. 26, the Theta Delta Chi fraternity mansion was filled with masquerade masks, candlelit tables and the sound of live jazz. Guests entered with beautiful dresses and put on their masks before taking their seats for the Collegetown Jazz Club's Masquerade. The club paired two set-lists of live jazz with small plates, turning the almost century-old mansion into an intimate jazz club for the night.
At the center of the evening was the Nate Choi Trio, featuring Nathan Choi ’28 on piano, Ted Crall ’29 on bass, Theo Lobo ’27 on drums and guest trumpeter Tomás Comesaña ’27. The musicians have considerable experience: Choi received an Outstanding Performance award as a part of Cornell’s Herbert Gussman Jazz Septet in the 2026 DownBeat Student Music Awards and has previously performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lobo performs throughout Ithaca with the Cornell Jazz Ensemble, and Crall received an Outstanding Bass Award at the Essentially Ellington competition. Comesaña ’27 serves as principal chair trumpeter in Cornell’s Barbara & Richard T. Silver Wind Symphony and runs the weekly Jazz+ Jam sessions.
The musicians, like the guests, entered the stage wearing masks, which set the scene for the masquerade and shaped the pace of the room. Choi’s piano carried the melodic direction, Crall's bass and Lobo’s drums grounded the trio and Comesaña’s trumpet added a distinctive fourth voice. Each musician had a solo moment, but Lobo drew particular attention and loud applause, his powerful drums ringing throughout the mansion. Yet, the appeal came less from a single musician but rather from watching the four musicians craft a musical story. The performance felt more conversational, both figuratively and literally. The audience, in close proximity to the musicians, could see the exchanges between them and their true passion and effort in the beautiful performance. Brief explanations before each piece, a few humorous moments and a well-chosen program, one that I particularly enjoyed was “The Girl From Ipanema” which set the mood for a fun, comfortable night.
The performance was accompanied by two small plates. During the first session, truffle-drizzled brie, fig jam and honey, baguette and water crackers were served. The second plate included Genoa salami, aged white cheddar, a baguette and grapes. The pairings, rather than distracting the audience from the performance, reinforced the night's pacing. The audience enjoyed the music, food and the chance to look around the mansion, characterized by oak paneling, Italian stone and stained glass.
The Masquerade felt intentional in a way most Cornell Saturday nights do not. The formal setting and the masks made that clear from the moment guests entered. The Collegetown Jazz Club has a broader goal of creating spaces where students who may not otherwise cross paths meet through jazz. It is an idea the club carries into its weekly performances on Wednesdays at Tres Leches and through a semester-long membership system that gives members early access to events like the Masquerade.
According to organizer Ali Awada ’28, the Masquerade was the club's “largest attempt at [creating that kind of space] so far.” The evening reflected that goal in its structure and attention to detail. By the end of the night, the Masquerade felt less like a themed event and more like a space where the music gave people a reason to stay, listen and connect.
Personally, what made the night memorable was how immersive the event felt. Sitting only a few feet from the musicians, I could feel the live music surge with energy through the room. There may be many chances to listen to live music on campus, but the people and the setting — both reflecting the efforts of those who wanted this event to succeed — made the performance feel more personal. I also appreciated the balance of the event, as it felt elegant but not stiff, with people dressed up, listening closely and laughing and talking comfortably between pieces. The night stood out for being able to enjoy something so thoughtfully put together, alongside new friends, old ones, food and live music.
Ines Hwang is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at ish7@cornell.edu.
