Emma Tannanbaum

Fresh from Hollywood and back in Rochester, Alyssa Coco was featured as the entertainment for CAB’s Friday Night in the RITz on September 12. The Rochester native started playing piano at the age of five and has been pursuing music ever since. The singer and songwriter made it to Hollywood on Season 7 of American Idol with a “thumbs up” from Simon Cowell.

While a lot of students were at social gatherings or studying for that pop quiz on Week 3, the lucky ones at the RITz on Friday enjoyed a performance by this star in the making; Everyone was there for different reasons. Jessery Bengston, a third year Computer Science major, came to see Coco because he remembered her from American Idol, while Stevie Ward, a first year Film and Animation major, simply came for something interesting to do on a Friday night.

The RITz was set up kind of like a coffee shop for Coco’s set. The rice crispy treats that were given away by CAB during the break were a nice addition to the laid back mood. Coco’s semi-beaten Yamaha keyboard and personalized base drum conveyed her experience on stage. Even though her band has only been together since her post-Idol experience eight months ago, they gelled together in a seamless flow.

The piano songstress’ sound is like a combination of Sarah Bareilles’ lyrics and a more upbeat Norah Jones combined into one gifted 17-year-old artist. Her set consisted of mostly covers with a few original songs sprinkled into the mix. Coco’s cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” (the song that sent Coco to Hollywood on Idol) truly showcased her vocal range, while her cover of “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses showed her ability to get from behind her piano to “rock out.”

With the newness of the school year and the fact that it was only week two of the quarter, the audience wasn’t too large. Coco’s true support was then made obvious; Her family and friends were all present for the show. After her set, fans were eager to meet her and get an autograph, but many people visited her memorabilia stand that consisted of black shirts, guitar pick necklaces, and matching earrings, all with an “Alyssa Coco” label, of course.

Coco said that American Idol was a great experience and a nice title under her belt. She gets her inspiration from artists like Colbie Cailllat and Vanessa Carleton because “…they are just so pure.” Her emulation of those artists is fitting, as her image is just that: Pure. She is a very sweet and down to earth girl who feels the endless Rochester winters just like the rest of us. She’s very happy and blessed to be doing what she loves to do.

If you would like to find out more about Alyssa Coco, read her blog, or hear some of her music, go to www.alyssacocomusic.com. To check out the schedule for upcoming Friday Night in the RITz performances, go to cab.rit.edu.