Dickinson Community residents who headed Downtown this weekend were expecting a night of Top 40 hits or the thumping bass of a frat house. But before they caught a bus or cab, they expected another kind of music, too: the sweet serenading sound of a saxophone.
In the evening hours, a mysterious figure treats the quad to more refined musical stylings. If you live in or have passed through Dickinson sometime on a Friday or Saturday night, you may have heard the soulful sounds of a character referred to by his fans as “Sax Guy.” Perched upon The Object, a sculpture that sits close to the Dickinson swing set, Sax Guy belts out jazz-inspired tunes most weekend nights for the enjoyment of passersby. And though he’s adopted the moniker and enjoys the anonymity, Sax Guy’s real name is Jack Manzi.
Manzi, an undeclared freshman, has taken up performing in public as a hobby and as a way to bring smiles to the faces of his listeners. The air of mystery that’s surrounded Manzi’s identity has turned him into a legendary figure of sorts, a spectacle that has piqued the curiosity of anyone within earshot of The Object. But to Manzi, playing saxophone is just second nature.
“I’ve been playing saxophone since about the fourth grade,” Manzi said. “I brought it here because I thought I might join a band or group on campus. I asked my RA if anyone had played anything on The Object before and thought, why not? I took my saxophone out there and everyone really liked it.”
Manzi plays only on weekends because of his limited availability, and because students probably wouldn’t appreciate hearing John Coltrane from their bedroom windows at midnight on a Tuesday. Respect and courtesy are among Manzi’s biggest concerns.
“Every now and then, I’ll see a comment on social media saying how they like the music but really just want it to stop,” Manzi says. “Once or twice I’ve been asked to be quiet because people were trying to sleep and I completely understand that. I only play at times that wouldn’t interfere with people’s schedules.”
Public performance on campus has become a contagious idea since Sax Guy made his debut. Other musicians have come out of the woodwork to mimic Manzi’s idea.
“I know there’s a guy up in Mountainview that plays under the dining hall sometimes,” Manzi said. “I’ve met him and he’s a cool guy. I really don’t mind the competition. Frankly, if I’ve started a trend, that’s awesome, because music is awesome and so are the people that play it.”
While the intrigue and anonymity might now be lost, the spirit of selflessness lives on. To Manzi, being the Sax Guy is not about recognition or gaining anything from his newfound notoriety.
“People have actually offered me money for playing. I’ll take food, but not money,” Manzi said, recalling a time when he was once offered a half-eaten box of Oreos for his services.
As the weather declines and late nights on The Object become increasingly frigid, Manzi expresses his hesitation to continue playing outdoors in the winter.
“At some point, it’s going to be freezing outside, and that’s going to be a pain,” Manzi said. “People really enjoy it though. When I don’t go out, people wonder where the Sax Guy went.”
Call him what you want, whether it be “Jack” or “Sax Guy.” At the end of the day, he’s just sharing what he loves to do with those around him. As Manzi continues to perform, his fan base only appears to grow larger. Showing no signs of stopping his routine, Manzi plans to continue providing students with a little bit of soul to end their week and a reason to walk extra slow to their dorm buildings, savoring every last note. You may find yourself passing through Dickinson on your way to a bus Downtown or perhaps taking a seat on the quad just to hear Manzi play. Either way, if you listen closely you just might hear a little bit of jazz in the cool Binghamton breeze.