It’s been months since I’ve posted here — not because I didn’t have anything to say, but because I didn’t have the heart space to say it. The past nine months have been a season of heavy transitions for me and my family. When I say “heavy,” I mean hefty, y’all...

Last October, my son called me and said, “Mom, I need help getting Dad out off my couch.” My then-24-year-old was living around the corner from me in his first apartment, and his dad had come to visit a few weeks prior...and then never left. What my son didn’t realize at the time was that his father was dealing with a multitude of issues: undiagnosed depression, compacted stress and grief from the loss of his mother, and unmanaged diabetes. Through the help of a thoughtful, caring, and resourceful network of friends and family, in about five months we were able to connect Sebastian’s father with medical, grief counseling/therapy, housing, and employment resources — resources that could have carried him back to self-sufficiency, if that had ever been a self-motivated goal. Instead, his health (and his spirit) took a turn for the worse, one he never recovered from. Sebastian called me on June 1 at 2:38am to tell me he’d gotten a call from the hospital: his father had passed away.

He was 56.

This spring, on March 11, I received two back-to-back voicemail messages from friends I love but rarely hear from directly — usually I see them or FaceTime them when I’m hanging out with my chosen sister, Maritri. Maritri and I were the inseparable duo, Hue, of the early-to-mid-1990s in Washington, DC, and then later on, in Brooklyn, NY. Piano, cello, and voice...angelic voices singing barefoot and painting pictures on souls everywhere with our harmonies. We just knew we were going to be the Windham Hill wonders, the next Tuck & Patti (sorta), if only record labels could just figure out what to do with our sound paired with our aesthetic. Apparently, it was incredibly hard to package and sell a young Black woman duo sounding soft and ethereal…and white—in the music industry at that time. We weren’t TLC, Zhané, Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue...we were singing original songs that weren’t R&B, gospel, or rap, which meant at the time that we “sounded white.” There was lots of interest from labels but no imagination on how to market us, so we just kept our steady Sunday brunch and special-event hustle to keep the bills paid, hoping that someday, someone would figure it out.

There was no shortage of Hue fan following on the underground circuit—and for what it’s worth, our fans looked like everybody, shape, size, race, gender, color and creed—it was the mainstream music industry that had no idea what to do. Go figure. That was Maritri and me for years, and then a little later we expanded to a trio and added our friend Lisa, on viola and vocals. Though Hue disbanded in 2000 when I left to raise Sebastian, Maritri and I stayed lifelong friends, in constant contact even after I left Brooklyn and moved to North Carolina and she moved back home to San Bernardino, California.

I acquired so many friends because of her network, and it was the back-to-back voicemails from our friends, Tony West and Niota, that prompted concern that something had happened to Maritri. When I called Tony back, he told me simply, “Maritri’s gone.” Now, Maritri was a globetrotter, always traveling pillar to post, so I figured he meant that. “...Where’d she go?” I asked, waiting for him to tell me something random like New Zealand. Tony paused, then said, “No, Shana...Maritri passed away last night.” My whole world halted. I stopped hearing. I don’t know how I made it to my destination, because for moments that felt like hours, I don’t even remember breathing. Maritri is the older sister I never had. The Laverne to my Shirley, Rose Nylund to my Dorothy Zbornak, Thelma to my Louise...what do you MEAN “passed away”? I’d just spoken to her the day before — we’d just gone to our friend, Shannon’s wedding celebration and sat in the hotel room for most of the trip in our chill pants, laughing and catching up and watching Golden Girls, her telling me about all the awesome new music she was about to make...WHAT do you MEAN “Maritri’s GONE???”

She was 61.

Before all of that, my mother — who I’ve been at odds with for more than a minute — suffered a debilitating stroke in November (different Substack for a different day), shortly after she moved to Panama City, Panamá. She’s now in an assisted living facility learning how to walk and speak English again, with my brother, sister, and I crash-course managing her care internationally, from three different states.

Fun times, fun times.

Maritri wrote a song called “Chariot,” hands-down one of her most requested. Understandably so — it’s quite beautiful; it also eerily foreshadows her own transition from this world into the next. I want to share these lyrics with you, because among all the things Maritri did so incredibly well, her gift for songwriting and storytelling was truly her finest. Here is a link to one of her earliest and most authentic versions; I invite you to listen to as you read along:

CHARIOT by Maritri

Verse 1
The chariot’s coming to take me away
One glad morning, to take me away
Far away from here
Two horsemen leading and two behind
My soul is bleeding and the pain won’t subside
Far away from here

Chorus
Baby I’ll miss you, more than you’ll ever know and
Baby, I’ll love you more than I’ll ever show and
If you see me and I’m crying, I’ll wipe away (my) tears
And know I’ll be waiting for you
At the end of your years

Verse 2
My body’s so heavy, it anchors my soul
My body betrays me, I’m losing control
Far away from here
The sun’s always shining and the moon’s full and low
Your father’s calling and I’m ready to go
Far away from here, far away from here

Chorus
Baby I’ll miss you, more than you’ll ever know and
Baby, I’ll love you more than I’ll ever show and
If you see me and I’m crying, I’ll wipe away (my) tears
And know I’ll be waiting for you
At the end of your —

Bridge
Time flies like thread through my needle
Unsteady and slow…
When you’re ready to go
And I’m ready to go home, I’m ready to go home
I’m ready to go home

Verse 3
My spirit is floating over the bed
Remember, my darling, the things that I said
Far away from here
I’ll never leave you, I’m here by your side
Don’t let life deceive you, just swallow your pride
Far away from here
Mama’s never far away from here

Chorus
Baby I’ll miss you, more than you’ll ever know and
Baby, I’ll love you more than I’ll ever show and
If you see me and I’m crying, I’ll wipe away (my) tears
And know I’ll be waiting for you
At the end of your years

Chariot’s coming…chariot’s coming…chariot’s coming…

I sang “Chariot” at Maritri’s memorial service last month in California with our friend, Bill Toles accompanying me, and again at a beautiful service in Chautauqua, NY — where, in just seven minutes, Maritri enraptured an entire amphitheater with her reimagined version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and won herself a lifetime fan club of a whole community. They LOVE (and terribly miss) her there. It was my absolute joy to honor my dearest friend by singing and playing her iconic song in a part of the world that holds her in such high regard.

I’ve dusted off my guitar and will accompany myself to sing “Chariot” this Saturday, July 25th, down in Holly Springs, NC. As I play those words, I’ll be thinking about the life lived, the memories made, and the light offered by family — chosen and blood — and I’ll hold them close through the music and the lyrics, and give Maritri the hug and hand squeeze I wish I could have given her as she transitioned.

We have a finite number of days, friends. A limited number of breaths before the chariot comes. And it is coming for us all — that much is certain. At the end of my years, I want to be ready to go, with peace, resolve, and jubilation. I don’t want to regret what I didn’t do, what I said or didn’t say. My son knows he is my very best moment. My husband knows he is the love of my life. My mother knows that I love her, even when it’s hard. My father knows we chose the wonderful friendship we now have. My brother knows he is my oldest and closest friend, and all of my friends know why they are so very special to me. There is no time for ambiguity when the chariot’s coming...love well, love intentionally and mean it.

Sending love to you for being here with me on this musical life journey. Thanks always for reading to the end of this heartfelt missive, thanks for supporting my music and artistry. I hope to see you, and I always appreciate when folks who follow me here have a little stop and chat about something that moved them here in the Substack.

In the meantime, be good to yourself and look after one another, sT

My birthday came and went quietly this year (as they sometimes do when you’re running in twelve directions at once!)…though I’m a September baby, I just couldn’t let this year pass without an annual celebration concert, albeit a few weeks after the fact.

Join me on Friday, November 7 at the historic Rialto Theater in Raleigh for a belated birthday concert filled with jazz and ChamberSoul magic—stories, songs, laughter, and connection.

Birthday Concert Tickets

This performance will be extra special as I introduce my new Greensboro-based rhythm section featuring:

• Matt Reid – piano

• Cal Richardson – guitar

• Charlton Provatas – bass

• and Durham’s own Stephen “Steak” Coffman – drums

We’ll revisit songs from over the years, share a new ones in-the-making…maybe even pull out a surprise or two (because birthdays deserve a little sparkle).

And here’s another great reason to celebrate: I don’t often perform in Raleigh! This night at The Rialto is a rare and meaningful chance to share a special, musical moment at home, at a historic live music venue in my Triangle community.

Concert Details

Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM | Show begins at 8:00 PM
Venue: The Rialto – 1620 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC

RSVP/Tickets

Bring your people. Bring your good energy. Come ready to sing, sway, sip, and celebrate life, music, and another trip around the sun!

Dinner + a Show: Pre-Concert Dining Near The Rialto

If you’d like to grab dinner before the concert, here are a few neighborhood favorites—all within walking distance or a short drive from The Rialto:

• Bloomsbury Bistro – Upscale and intimate, perfect for a cozy pre-show meal.

• Hayes Barton Café & Dessertery – Classic comfort food and unforgettable desserts in a nostalgic setting.

• NOFO @ the Pig – Southern farm-to-table fare with local flair and warm hospitality.

• Lilly’s Pizza – Funky, laid-back atmosphere with creative pizzas and craft beer.

• Lola’s Beach Bar – Lively spot with tacos and cocktails for a casual, festive vibe.

• Ajja – Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, vibrant and flavorful, just a few minutes away.

Tip: Make reservations if you plan to dine at Bloomsbury or Hayes Barton—they fill up quickly. A 5:30–6:30 PM dinner reservation will give you plenty of time to enjoy your meal and arrive relaxed before showtime.

Let’s make this a night to remember — because joy shared is joy multiplied, and having you there with me on this night would bring me so much joy!

With love & gratitude,
Shana T.

Upcoming Shows

• Sun, October 26 at 4:00 PM

  Arts at Emmaus Way - Shana Tucker, Visiting Artist | Durham, NC

• Fri & Sat, October 31 & November 1 at 6:30 & 9:00 PM
  The Jazz Corner presents Shana Tucker | Hilton Head Island, SC
  10/31 Tickets | 11/1 Tickets

• Fri, November 7 at 8:00 PM (doors at 7:00 PM)
  The Rialto Theatre presents Shana Tucker: Belated Birthday Concert | Raleigh, NC
  Tickets

• Sun, November 9 at 3:00 PM
  ERUUF Fall Artist-in-Residence Series presents Shana Tucker in Concert
  Free, family-friendly/all ages

• Thu, November 13 at 7:00 PM
  When We Were Queens - Murielle Elizéon & Shana Tucker | Asheville, NC
  Tickets

• Sun, November 16 at 3:00 PM
  An Evening of Sade with Shana Tucker | Newnan, GA
  Tickets

  Full Tour Schedule

  Thanks for reading ChamberSoul Chronicles by Shana Tucker! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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Let me ask you something:

When was the last time you experienced music in a way that felt…personal? Not through a screen, not in a noisy venue—but in a room where every note lands close to the heart?

If that sounds like something you’ve been craving, I’d love to invite you to something truly special: a house concert.

Wait…what exactly is a house concert?

If you’ve not yet been to one, you’re in for a treat. A house concert is an intimate live performance—usually acoustic or semi-acoustic—hosted in someone’s home (or in this particular case, a stunning penthouse suite in the heart of Chicago’s Hyde Park). The vibe is cozy, personal, and deeply connective. For artists like me, house concerts aren’t just gigs—they’re lifelines.

Why House Concerts Matter

House concerts help independent artists do what we love in a sustainable way. Touring without record label support means managing everything from travel and accommodations to promotion and performance fees—without the machinery of a big label or team. House concerts fill that gap. They offer artists like me the chance to perform directly for supportive audiences in a welcoming space, often hosted by friends or devoted fans who live locally, regionally or across the country, without worrying about bar guarantees or ticket minimums. This is especially critical when trying to build awareness in new markets where I’m sure my music would be well-received, but where I don’t yet have a confirmed fanbase.

And here’s the real magic: when you strip away the stage and the stadium seating, something beautiful happens. The music gets closer. The stories behind the songs land differently. You can hear breath—and breadth!—in the cello, the grit and emotion of my voice, and feel part of a shared moment that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

What You Can Expect

On Sunday, July 13 at 7:00 PM, I’ll be bringing my ChamberSoul sound to a gorgeous penthouse in the middle of Chicago’s vibrant, historic and culturally rich neighborhood of Hyde Park—joined by the wildly talented Tony Cazeau on piano. We’ll be playing for a small group (only 40 tickets available), which means every seat is the best seat in the house. Before the music starts, join us for a pre-show reception starting at 6:00 PM, with light fare and a thoughtful selection of wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Come early, settle in, and take in the city views while getting to know folks, including our dynamic-duo hosts, Duane & “Too Tall” Linda (they are both very tall, actually). The concert will begin promptly at 7:00.

7/13 (pent)House Concert Tickets

Why You Should Come

I strongly recommend going to any house concert I have something to do with, because no matter where in the world it is it will always be fun, the music will be great, and the vibe will be “good times only”. This particular concert on July 13 might be a challenge to get to if you’re not in or near the Chicago area…but hey, here’s a thought: Perhaps you’d consider hosting me for a house concert if you see that I’m touring in your area? You could also share this post with your Chicago area folks, please and thanks!

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Back to “why you should come”:
Because this isn’t just a concert at somebody’s house—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Also:

• It’s exclusive and intimate. Only 40 tickets are available. That means you’re not just attending—you’re part of something unique and special. No crowds. No lines. Just a beautiful evening shared with fellow music lovers.
  

• You’ll direct-connect with the artist—ME! I’m not tucked away backstage or rushing off after the set. I’ll be mingling, chatting, and sharing space with you the whole evening. We’ll toast, talk, and enjoy the night together.
  

• The setting is unforgettable. We’re gathering in a luxurious Hyde Park penthouse with sweeping views of the Chicago skyline. It’s the kind of venue that turns a great performance into a full-on memory.
  

• The vibe is social and soulful. Come early for the 6:00 PM pre-show reception—there’ll be light bites, wine, and non-alcoholic options so you can settle in and connect with other guests and our hosts, Duane & Linda. Whether you come solo or with friends, you’ll be welcomed like family.
  

• You’re investing in living music. Your ticket supports real, independent artistry—helping me continue to write, perform, and tour. In an industry where algorithms and trends dominate, your presence keeps the human element alive.
  

• It’s a night that won’t repeat. Every house concert is one-of-a-kind. The songs may be the same, but the energy, the people, the stories, the setting—it’s all uniquely in-the-moment. You’ll walk away feeling like you were part of something that could not have happened anywhere else, with anyone else.

So, if you’re looking for something meaningful, something elegant, something alive—join us. Let’s raise a glass, share some stories, and make music in the sky.

🎟️ Grab your ticket here—only 40 spots. Don’t wait too long or they’ll be gone.

7/13 (pent)House Concert Tickets

What’s Next?

I updated my tour schedule and added a lot of upcoming performances, with more to be announced in just a few weeks. I’m also excited to share my thoughts about two upcoming summer music camp faculty experiences on the roster this summer. If you’d like to receive show announcement alerts letting you know when I’m playing in your neck of the woods, drop your info on my Bandsintown page. I also have some new concert videos that are available on my YouTube channel:

Tour Schedule

YouTube.com/@ShanaTucker

Take good care…drink lots of water, go out and experience lots of live music, and continue love each other and the world we live in!

Blessings,
Shana

June is Black Music Month—a time to celebrate and honor the immeasurable contributions of Black artists to the musical fabric of this country and really, the world. From the foundational roots of spirituals and the blues to the blossoming branches of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and beyond, Black music is American music. It’s world music.

It’s MY music.

So it feels especially fitting to share this post with you now.

I want to take a moment to talk about something deeply meaningful to me—the intersection of legacy, love, and local artistry.

There’s something sacred about the 1963 recording of John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman. You can feel it in every note, every breath. It's not just a record. It's a moment in time—immortal, intimate, and incandescent. Hartman's velvet baritone swaying in slow motion with Coltrane’s tenor sax—both artists clearly wrapped in reverence for the music and respect for one another. An album exclusively of jazz ballads, it’s one of the most worthwhile ways to spend 31 minutes & 11 seconds that I can think of. When I listen, especially to their version of “My One and Only Love,” I’m reminded of what it means to be completely present in a musical conversation. No flash, no ego. Just heart.

That’s the spirit we tried to embody one night in a downtown warehouse, a few years back: A live, reimagined performance of this iconic studio album that I’m humbled to share with you now—our version of “My One and Only Love.”

This performance was part of Local Jazz at The Fruit, a Monday night series here in Durham, NC, curated to spotlight and celebrate the immense talent that lives right here in our community. Durham is rich with jazz history and even richer with living, breathing artists who carry that torch in new and meaningful ways. Supporting local jazz isn't just about nostalgia or a night out—it's an investment in homegrown culture, in creativity, and in community connection.

I was blessed to share the stage with these North Carolinian treasures, some of the finest jazz musicians I know:
✨ Christian Tamburr on piano
✨ Will Ledbetter on bass
✨ Kobi Watkins on drums
✨ and the late, deeply beloved Brian Horton on tenor saxophone

Brian’s sound—his spirit—is imprinted upon this performance. His playing that night was gentle, yet certain…a masterclass in sensitivity and soul. The absence of such an inimitable talent is heavy, but in moments like this, he is undeniably present.

🎥 Here’s an exclusive preview of our live rendition of “My One and Only Love.”

If watching this moved you enough to want to experience the full performance, here’s how you can keep the love flowing:

💛 Become a paid subscriber to this Substack to help support my work as an independent artist and storyteller. Your subscription grants you access to full-length videos before they’re released to the world, unpublished music tracks, private concert invitations and other exclusive goodies. It also fuels the music, the stories, and the spaces that make this all possible.

Subscribe now

🎶 Come see a live show sometime soon. My shows are listed here on my website and also on bandsintown, where you can sign up to receive updates whenever I’m playing near you.

Upcoming Shows

📣 Share this post with someone who loves jazz, or someone who needs a little beauty in their day.

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📺 Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss future performances and more moments like this.

Subscribe to my YouTube

Thanks for reading. For listening. For celebrating Black Music Month with me in this small but very meaningful way.

Love,
Shana

#ChamberSoul

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Her songs feel like whispered truths wrapped in luscious, peaceful velvet. As a singer-songwriter, I’ve forever admired the essentialness of Sade’s music, vocal delivery and overall groove—how her music says so much within the efficient, essential footprint of Sweetback, her mighty trio of multi-instrumentalist bandmates Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, and Paul Denman. Their collective conspiring to produce the infectious, meditative and eternal grooves that live forever rent-free in the heads and hearts of multiple generations is, in my opinion, one of the greatest gifts of all time to pop culture, worldwide.

But as a songwriter myself, I’ll be honest:

There's this quiet, nagging pressure to constantly create new material under my own pen. Carving out time to reinterpret someone else's work—especially a legend like Sade—can feel like a significant artistic risk. Still, I believe there’s a unique reverence of sorts…in reimagining, not replicating. And that’s when ChamberSoul is activated. I mean, I do add a fair amount of reimagined songs to my regular set, jazz standards, pop tunes I grew up with, etc. But for some reason, as much as I adore her, Sade never made it to the setlist.

I’m not big on birthday bashes or surprise parties in my honor. I do, however, enjoy a thoughtfully curated birthday present or event. A few years ago, I decided that the best happy-birthday-to-me gift would be to gather some of the finest musicians I know and present an all-Sade concert for my lovely city, Durham, NC. If you can believe it, I did all this just to have the opportunity to sing my two most favorite Sade songs: “Kiss of Life”, which now appears on my second album, Hiding in the Light as track #8; and the candid, soothing resolve for all who are familiar with the depths of a vulnerable heart: “Love is Stronger Than Pride”.

This MTV Unplugged version is stripped down and soul-soaked, voice out front, cello slipping in as a delicate little feature moment…acoustic rhythm section sparse yet ever-present, gently supporting the spaces between the notes and allowing for this arrangement to just breathe. Preserved in deep gratitude for Sade’s soulful influence on my artistry (and my heart)—I’m inviting you to experience it here first, before I share it with the world at the end of the month:

Watch the exclusive preview:

💬 What does this ChamberSoul version stir in you?

Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how our arrangement lands with you.

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💛 Know someone who needs a little “Shan-de (Shana+Sade)” in their day?

Click the Share button and send this post to a friend.

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🎁 Want more?

Paid Subscribers get special access to an unpublished studio recording (mp3) of "Love is Stronger Than Pride." I’m sending it out right after this; it will then live in my Bonus Tracks posts until I decide to officially publish it (or not). If you’d like to support this work and access new or privately archived music before the rest of of the world, upgrade your subscription here:

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🎶 See me LIVE: Upcoming Shows

If you’d like to experience my music in person, I’m announcing new shows for the 2025-26 concert season as they come up. Choose the Inbox Show Notifications button and you’ll get a message whenever I announce a new show. If you just want to take a peek every once in a while on my website, click Tour Schedule below. Either way, I'd love to see your face in the place!

Inbox Show Notifications

Tour Schedule

With so much gratitude and love,
Shana

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I am the world’s most belligerantly adverse social media poster.

Seriously.

Just ask Micaela, my #TeamShana social media maven: she witnesses my loathing for gathering and posting relevant footage time and time again. It is truly a kicking-and-screaming situation for me. No lie: I could go the rest of my life and not feel compelled to get on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok ever again. But I do it because the world requires joy machines — people like me who have a penchant for infusing musical joy into the world — to post and share to our socials with militaristic regularity…or risk algorithmic expulsion from our social media followers’ feeds.

I recently decided that social media is friend, not foe, to my livelihood. I also concluded that, since I have to have a productive presence, I will post whatever I want, whenever I want to. It’s not that I’m ignoring my analytic insights; I know that the best time for me to post things to my majority female ages 35-64 audiences is any day between 12 and 9 PM so that my posts show up more prominently on more followers’ feeds. I understand that Reels are where it’s at, and that there are lots of people (unlike me) who get the majority of their fixes by watching Stories, so I post stuff there, too. I get it, Micaela okay? I get it! I see that all your suggestions are working and that my all-around engagement is increasing.

(sigh) I get it.

Today, what I want to do is to invite you to embark upon a little social media experiment with me. I’ve been reading a lot about algorithms and DSP — Digital Service Provider — placement and marketing and steadily realizing that it takes a whole village to spread musical joy to the world about my new album, Hiding in the Light.

As loyal supporters my music and proud subscribers of ChamberSoul Chronicles, I just know that you appreciate all the familiar, reimagined songs of Hiding in the Light that make it a must-have for your collection.

You’re already subscribed to me here on Substack; many of you also follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I’m learning how integral DSP marketing is to a musician’s career in igniting national and international awareness, and I’d love your help digging a little deeper into algorithmic areas where you already immerse yourself in musical joy.

Here’s how:

1. Stream and Add to Your Playlist: Dive into Hiding in the Light on your favorite streaming platforms and let the soulful tunes uplift your day wherever you are — all those streams count.

2. Spread the Word on your Socials: Share your favorite tracks on social media! Tag #ShanaTucker and let your friends and followers discover the magic of ChamberSoul. Also, whenever you’re posting, consider adding a music track from Hiding in the Light as a subtle yet effective way of introducing your followers to this new artist.

3. Purchase the CD: Own a physical copy of Hiding in the Light for those moments with your vintage Sony DiscMan when you want to experience the richness of ChamberSoul in a delightfully non-compressed, physical form.

4. Order the Vinyl: For audiophiles and collectors, indulge in the warmest, feels-like-we-are-in-the-room-with-the-band authentic sound of Hiding in the Light on vinyl. It's more than music; it's an experience :)

Ways to spread SHANA's MUSICAL JOY

Here’s a wrap-up video of my 6/9 album release concert for those of you who love the music but live farther than North Carolina. Take a moment to watch…we had a lot of fun!

Your support means the world to me. Let's join together to celebrate my newest creation and share its beauty far and wide through our respective communities. Thank you for being a part of my village, and big, big thanks for helping me increase my DSP footprint!

Love, s

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, I did a big thing:
I released new music. A WHOLE RECORD, in fact!

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*deep breath.*

I’m an independent artist musician: cellist/singer-songwriter, composer/arranger; teaching artist; voiceover artist and kids TV Personality who is also navigating the realities of mothering a 20-something y.o. son, parenting 70-something y.o. parents, and balancing it all while experiencing the joyful, buoyant and at-times surprisingly complicated landscape of new marriage.

*deep breath.*

With all this Life happening, I *should* have lots of subject matter with which to fuel several new songs, right? Except…there’s this “in-between”…the place where the unborn songs wait patiently while current-sitch surface thoughts and reflections demand to be heard.

Welcome to my “in-between”.

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ChamberSoul Chronicles is, in a nutshell, a place-to-put-it. For me, music = passion, vocation, sustenance, life. And Life informs Music. Here is where I invite you to pull up your chair and grab a familiar mug…or maybe get on the rowing machine and put your headphones in…however you plan to arrive, put your seatbelt on and get ready to explore/reflect/consider the human condition, here, with me.

You’re also welcome to subscribe to get full access to the newsletter + exclusive access to advance listens, unpublished music, publication archives and more.

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Stay with me now…

A little about the “why” of this publication:

At the start of pandemic, the world of music performance/live shows came to a screeching halt. With no work on the horizon, I decided to take a leadership position at a youth arts nonprofit to keep lights on. I left the stage and my artistry for three years to sit behind a desk and do meaningful work as an arts administrator.

Returning to music full-time was the BEST decision I ever made. Although the work of mentoring young artists of color was meaningful and heartfelt, I realized that there’s only one Shana who can bring light to this world in her unique way.

Since the shift back to honing my “heart work”, my creative process has become all the more meaningful and sacred to me. I learned this new term from a dear friend (thanks, Tift): “process archive”— a place to keep track of an idea’s Point A-B. ChamberSoul Chronicles is like the monk’s mandala sand. It’s all about the journey, not just the destination.

Community of (Chamber) Souls

None of us can live this life all alone, in a bubble. The songs I write are best actualized with friends who are my band…the music we make is best experienced in performance, where creative energy, introspection and gratitude is exchanged with listeners in the room. Please consider participating in the comments section whenever you like. You can also support this work through subscription, and/or share posts with those who you think would appreciate them to continue to grow our community of music lovers.

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Hopes & dreams

I’m that person who goes to see a movie, reads a book, listens to a podcast, goes to a concert based purely on the strong recommendation of someone I trust. And…I realize that everybody’s not like me. So, here’s where I tell you some things, like that you should expect to hear from meat least 1x monthly — more if you are a paid subscriber. I haven’t decided on the day of the month yet, but I sure do like Tuesdays and Sundays. Free subscribers are in for an honest story about what’s on my heart and mind when I press ‘Send’. Paid subscriptions are extra-fun; I’m hoping to share exclusives like:

• Videos and audio files of music, interviews and shows that aren’t readily available to the general public

• Sneak peeks of new songs (or old songs that maybe need new life)

• Shana memorabilia that will probably never otherwise see the light of day

• Charts of my songs and/or arrangements

OK! I think that’s enough for now…enjoy this perfect pic captured by Alex Boerner during our recent photoshoot, and be on the lookout for another installment of ChamberSoul Chronicles in a little while.

Until Soon, s