Allison Adams Tucker; photo credit: Robert Fisher
Monday, November 13, 2023
12 PM
Allison Adams Tucker
Given 4 stars by Downbeat Magazine, multi-lingual vocalist/composer/educator Allison Adams Tucker began singing before she could speak, and she has performed in many genres from a cappella to punk, folk, and jingles. In 2005, Allison fell in love with jazz and has gone on to release 4 critically acclaimed albums and 3 EPs: "Come With Me" (2008) nominated for Best Jazz Album 2009 by the San Diego Music Awards, "April in Paris" (2014) recorded in Paris on UNESCO's 1st Annual International Jazz Day, "Wanderlust" (2016) recorded in New York under GRAMMY-winning producer Matt Pierson featuring an all-star band, and "RETRO Trilogy" (2023) again with NYC producer Matt Pierson and another band of heavy hitters, rolled out as three EPs “1977”, “1988”, “1999”, and then as one album.
Allison’s love for connecting communities with world cultures and music has led her to produce annual world music events for the last 16 years in various cities, including Brasil Jazz Festa, Women in Jazz, International Jazz Day, Vocal Jazz Summit, Django Jazz Fest, and many seasonal themed concert events. Allison continued these event traditions during the pandemic with her “GARDENSTREAM Live” series on YouTube with over 30 live-streamed concerts broadcast from various garden spots in Southern California, Florida, and the UK. Allison's voice can be heard on commercials and on the "The Saboteur" video game soundtrack in the company of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Madeleine Peyroux, & others. Allison has entertained audiences in Japan, Europe, Mexico, and the US, including performances at the Blue Note New York, Ronnie Scott's London, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Los Angeles, San Jose Jazz Fest, East Hawaii Jazz & Blues Fest, Lucca Jazz Donna Festival Tuscany, Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival Osaka, among others.
Danny Green
Over the past decade, jazz pianist and Origin Records recording artist Danny Green has earned recognition as a bandleader and as a composer with a gift for spinning lyrical, absorbing narratives. Green’s growing portfolio of vibrant sounds—an enchanting mix of jazz, classical, and Brazilian rhythms—has captured the attention of critics around the world, including DownBeat Magazine, Jazziz, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Boston Globe, and Public Radio International. It’s no small wonder that Green has earned two San Diego Music awards for Best Jazz Album and an additional award for Best Jazz Artist. His long-time trio includes bassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelm, noteworthy musicians in their own right, and together they have developed a nearly psychic connection as they perform Green’s original compositions and jazz standards. Green takes listeners on a journey that is equal parts introspective and exuberant, and always compelling. Green’s talents have taken him from the Blue Note in New York City to the Blue Whale in Los Angeles. In addition to his own projects, Green has performed with a number of note-worthy musicians including Paquito D’Rivera, Chico Pinheiro, Peter Sprague, Charles McPherson, and Pacho Flores. According to JazzReview.com, “Danny Green is what evolution in jazz is all about, expressing the traits of those that came before him, with a style and panache that is all his own…an individual who expresses what is inside of him.”
Justin Grinnell
Justin Grinnell is a San Diego-based freelance jazz bassist and music educator. He often performs with San Diego's most respected jazz artists, including Holly Hofmann, Christopher Hollyday, and Peter Sprague.
Justin is a long-standing member of the Danny Green Trio (with pianist Danny Green and drummer Julien Cantelm). Since its inception in 2008, the trio has released five albums. In 2015, the trio teamed up with vocalist Leonard Patton to form LP And The Vinyl. The quartet released its debut album, Heard And Seen, in April 2020.
In addition to performing, Justin maintains an active teaching schedule as adjunct faculty at University of San Diego and as faculty for the Francis Parker Annual Summer Jazz Workshop.
Free concerts at noon every Monday from fall through spring . . . no wonder the Mini-Concerts are the longest-running and one of the most popular classical music series at the library! This series was founded by Glenna Hazleton in 1970 at the Athenaeum, and has been going strong ever since. The concerts feature both local and touring musicians, prize-winning students, university music faculty members, local chamber ensembles. . . and the repertoire also includes jazz, folk and world music. There are no reservations, no tickets . . . just line up at the side door of the Athenaeum before noon. (Donations are always welcome!) Mini-Concerts take place every Monday at noon and last about an hour.
The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Doors open at 11:50 a.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.
Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.