With the help of the jazz coordinator, Jack Mouse, Rachel Tucker, ’18, found the performers, created the setlist and is ready to see her vision come to life in the form of her senior jazz project to be presented on Honors Day.
For this performance, Tucker based her setlist off of jazz music she listened to growing up and during her time at North Central. She is using seven tunes, such as “September in the rain,” “Unforgettable” and “A Go Go.” She is putting her own spin on them to make them unique to her. Sara Vaughn is just one of her many musical inspirations, along with Clifford Brown and Chet Baker. “There’s a lot of different influences,” said Tucker.
Jazz has been apart of her family for some time which is why she still includes it in her life today. “My mom told me that when I was little I used to ask her to play the Natalie Cole cassette tape in the car,” said Tucker. “So I think it (jazz) was something I always liked.”
With both of her majors — organizational communication and jazz studies — Tucker plans to combine the two so that she can be an event coordinator, while still being engaged with music. One career path that stands out to her is being an event coordinator at a music venue. She has also considered working for not-for-profit organizations.
“Music is the overarching theme, but what I’m personally doing isn’t performing,” said Tucker.
During her years at North Central, Tucker has been involved with several music organizations. She was a part of a vocal jazz ensemble, the jazz combo with Chris White, a member of the Cardinal Chorus, Women’s Chorale and Concert Choir.
For future and current students involved in music, Tucker says to remember to take a step back and focus on one thing at a time. Trying to juggle a bunch of different projects at once can be overwhelming. “Acknowledge everything you have been able to do and enjoy the process.”
