Genre-defying artist Shana Tucker to perform at Randolph, lead workshop

Cellist, singer/songwriter, and composer Shana Tucker’s music defies easy categorization. 

Her sound has been described as a “curious mash-up of Joni Mitchell, Dianne Reeves, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tracy Chapman, with an efficient complexity of songwriting reminiscent of Bill Withers.”

JazzTimes Magazine called her “a jazz talent … whose imprint and vitality have already been quite visible.” 

Now she’s bringing her genre-defying artistry to Lynchburg for Randolph’s Guest Artist Concert Series. 

Tucker will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 in Wimberly Recital Hall in Presser Hall Earlier that day, she will also lead an all-ages educational workshop at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch of the Lynchburg Public Library. 

“I’m so pleased to host Shana Tucker to conclude the 2025-26 season in our Guest Artist Series in music,” said Emily Chua, director of the series and Randolph’s Catherine Ehrman Thoresen ’23 and William Erness Thoresen Professor of Music. “Her distinctive and individual musical style will appeal to a broad audience, and we’re very excited to partner with the Lynchburg Public Library so that listeners of all ages can interact with her and learn about her storytelling through music.”

Tucker is known as the creator of “ChamberSoul,” a unique blend of jazz, classical, folk, acoustic pop, and soul music.

After her 2015 debut album, SHiNE, received critical acclaim for its intimate and evocative original composition, Tucker was invited to join the musical cast of KÀ by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. 

She spent five years as a featured performer, singing the show’s finale each night, before returning to a full-time schedule of performing, recording, and collaborating on an international level. 

Tucker has performed for or recorded with internationally acclaimed artists, including Norah Jones, Lisa Fischer, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Me’Shell Ndegocello, Indigo Girls, Javon Jackson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bennie Maupin, Sigur Ros Orchestra, and more. 

She is also a committed arts education advocate who has worked as a teaching artist with United Arts Council, the Durham Arts Council, and the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Art. 

She works with students of all ages and creative abilities, encouraging them to discover their creativity and express themselves through music and storytelling. 

“Facilitating workshops, residencies, and informances allows me the opportunity to help people discover the songs that live inside their souls and hearts, which is an inspiring and empowering experience for participants of all ages—including me,” Tucker has said. “Within my musical livelihood, there is very little ‘work’ that is as fulfilling as this.”