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Jazz vocalist Allison Adams Tucker will embark on a five date tour of Japan from October 18 through October 23. Dubbed the "California Connection Tour," dates include Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Mito, Yokohama, and Tokyo.
“I lived in Japan for several years back in the late 1990s,” Tucker said. “I'm really looking forward to reuniting with my ‘second family’ there.” The tour’s name comes from the fact that Adams will be touring with two Japanese musicians who have both resided in California: Pianist George Nagata, who lived in San Diego and studied at UCSD, as well as acclaimed guitarist, Yosuke Onuma.
Tucker’s popularity in Japan is no doubt helped by the fact that she sings in several languages including Japanese, as well as, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian. “I also sing in German and Latin, but not in the jazz genre,” she commented.
Tucker's next San Diego performance, on September 20 at 98 Bottles, will feature her San Diego combo, including pianist Danny Green, bassist Evona Wascinski, drummer Julien Cantelm and saxophonist Tripp Sprague. "This group is such a tight unit," she said. "We know each other so well. Although I work with different musicians, many of my arrangements have been born from (this group's) time together. "
She has toured the world several times and points out things haven’t really improved much over the years. “In theory, booking tour dates becomes easier with each tour based on the contacts I make and the relationships I establish with venues & festival directors,” she explained. “However, the jazz world is changing so fast, and the world economy has an enormous effect on the arts. I wouldn't say it's harder - it's just constantly a fierce learning curve. Like swimming 100 miles through shark infested waters, this business is not for the faint of heart.”
Tucker's next album, April in Paris, due in early 2014, is a direct product of touring. As spelled out in the album’s title, it was recorded in Paris, following a nine date road trip through Italy in 2012. A bit of creative license changed the month of the album sessions from October, to the more romantic sounding ‘April.’ While the album uses primarily European musicians, Tucker’s regular bassist, Evona Wascinski is featured.
Despite the grind of touring, Tucker still enjoys most of life on the road. “Touring can be grueling work, both in the planning and execution of getting from point A to point B, with more than the usual obstacles, but I love it,” she said. “I love meeting new jazz friends and seeing how music ties us all together across the waters.” She admits an addiction to travel, but notes she’s not interested in relocating. “I'm a San Diego native, and there's just no place like home.”
Jazz vocalist Allison Adams Tucker will embark on a five date tour of Japan from October 18 through October 23. Dubbed the "California Connection Tour," dates include Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Mito, Yokohama, and Tokyo.
“I lived in Japan for several years back in the late 1990s,” Tucker said. “I'm really looking forward to reuniting with my ‘second family’ there.” The tour’s name comes from the fact that Adams will be touring with two Japanese musicians who have both resided in California: Pianist George Nagata, who lived in San Diego and studied at UCSD, as well as acclaimed guitarist, Yosuke Onuma.
Tucker’s popularity in Japan is no doubt helped by the fact that she sings in several languages including Japanese, as well as, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian. “I also sing in German and Latin, but not in the jazz genre,” she commented.
Tucker's next San Diego performance, on September 20 at 98 Bottles, will feature her San Diego combo, including pianist Danny Green, bassist Evona Wascinski, drummer Julien Cantelm and saxophonist Tripp Sprague. "This group is such a tight unit," she said. "We know each other so well. Although I work with different musicians, many of my arrangements have been born from (this group's) time together. "
She has toured the world several times and points out things haven’t really improved much over the years. “In theory, booking tour dates becomes easier with each tour based on the contacts I make and the relationships I establish with venues & festival directors,” she explained. “However, the jazz world is changing so fast, and the world economy has an enormous effect on the arts. I wouldn't say it's harder - it's just constantly a fierce learning curve. Like swimming 100 miles through shark infested waters, this business is not for the faint of heart.”
Tucker's next album, April in Paris, due in early 2014, is a direct product of touring. As spelled out in the album’s title, it was recorded in Paris, following a nine date road trip through Italy in 2012. A bit of creative license changed the month of the album sessions from October, to the more romantic sounding ‘April.’ While the album uses primarily European musicians, Tucker’s regular bassist, Evona Wascinski is featured.
Despite the grind of touring, Tucker still enjoys most of life on the road. “Touring can be grueling work, both in the planning and execution of getting from point A to point B, with more than the usual obstacles, but I love it,” she said. “I love meeting new jazz friends and seeing how music ties us all together across the waters.” She admits an addiction to travel, but notes she’s not interested in relocating. “I'm a San Diego native, and there's just no place like home.”