Shana Tucker is a cellist and singer/songwriter whose music is a mix of acoustic pop and soulful, jazz-influenced contemporary folk.
Her debut solo project, “SHiNE,” outlines a musical journey that celebrates the major influences of everyday life — relationship, laughter, love, loss, rediscovery, peace, understanding and self-acceptance.
Tucker will spend Saturday in Kinston, conducting an “informance” for free during the day, then culminating her visit with a performance in the evening, all at the Community Council for the Arts. Her “weekend-warrior” tour of Eastern North Carolina — she’ll be at the Paramount Theater in Goldsboro Friday night — will end in Raleigh for an N.C. State University Scholars presentation.
All this is on the heels of a Las Vegas gig where she and her jazz partner, Sami Saula, performed with body percussion collaborators Molodi LIVE.
When Tucker performs at the arts center, she’ll “… do my thang: sing, play cello, and weave stories through song.”
A New York native, she learned to play piano at an early age from her great-grandmother. In junior high, she traded violin for cello to stay in the orchestra. In high school, she began private cello lessons, studied choral singing and performed with regional orchestras, theatre productions and vocal groups of various sizes, winning regional and national awards and praise.
She studied cello at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and continued her musical performance education at CUNY-Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. Her work as an arranger/composer appears on several CD recordings, theatre productions and TV commercials. Her commissioned works include “Nexxus” and “Savannah,” both of which were composed for The Washington Ballet and premiered at The Kennedy Center. “Savannah” also debuted at the Joyce Theatre-NYC and at the Witts Theater in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tucker has opened for a variety of recording artists, including Sweet Honey in the Rock, jazz saxophonist Hamiett Bluett, drummer/vocalist Vinx, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Indigo Girls.
The evening with Tucker will include light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, plus an available cash bar. Ticket sales are limited. Don’t miss this rising star, already earning national acclaim.
Shana Tucker: ChamberSoul Cello & Songs
Free workshop during the day (call for times)
Performance in the evening
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Community Council for the Arts
400 N. Queen St., Kinston
Tickets: $20 advance/$25 at door
Includes light hors d’oeuvres
Info: 252-527-2517 or kinstoncca.com