Dara Tucker was born into a musical family. So it’s no surprise that her love affair with music began at such an early age. The product of a music minister father, and a songstress mother, she began singing in her Tulsa, Oklahoma church at age 5. By age 8 she was playing simple melodies on the piano and soon began accompanying her brothers and sisters at performances. Says Tucker, “We performed as a group in churches and youth events throughout the city. It was a real proving-ground for us. We grew our own musical legs, independent of our parents. That was a very important learning time.”
Throughout her college years, Tucker continued to hone her skills as a vocalist and musician. After obtaining a degree in International Business and German studies, she worked for a time in the corporate language-training field, eventually relocating to Interlaken, Switzerland to study German.
It was there that Tucker began to write the first of her very personal songs. “I discovered my own creative voice during my time abroad,” Tucker says. “That’s when I began to realize that true artistic expression comes from a very personal place. You can’t fake it. My songwriting speaks of some hard-learned lessons, and long-fought battles.” Rather than allow those experiences to breed bitterness and distrust of the world, she channeled them into a unique musical discovery. “I found something within myself that I didn’t realize was there – music’s ability to ensure my spiritual and emotional survival. No one can ever take that away from me,” says Tucker.
Tucker’s original songs speak to her life philosophy. Among the first songs she wrote during her time in Switzerland is an ode to the importance of risk-taking — I Dare Not Dream. Songs such as Golden Time and It All Works Together were soon to follow. With their R&B edge, songs Beautiful Sun and Loving You highlight her versatility while staying true to a common theme of living life to the fullest. In addition to performing original music, Dara brings a fresh, eclectic sensibility to traditional jazz standards. Displaying a love for standards and swing that belies her years, Tucker’s reverence for the Great American Songbook can be felt in her careful delivery of songs such as “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Route 66,” and fan favorite, “That’s All.”
Dara Tucker has been a mainstay on the Nashville jazz scene for 5 years. Her music can be heard on local jazz station, 89.5, WMOT. She was also recently featured on “Live in Studio C,” a live broadcast on Nashville’s local NPR station, 90.3, WPLN. She performs regularly at the legendary F. Scott’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar in the Green Hills district, Sambuca Restaurant and Bar in Nashville’s trendy 12th South District, as well as the long-standing Jefferson Street Jazz and African Street Festivals. She has also performed at The Basement, Boscos and The 12th South Taproom.
Dara Tucker’s Repertoire
A Fine Romance
You Stepped Out of a Dream
A Foggy Day
A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square (voice and bass)
All of You
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (bossa/swing ala Sammy)
All the Things You Are
All the Way
Avalon
Day By Day
And I Love You So
Autumn Leaves
Body and Soul
Chim Chim Chiree
Come Rain or Come Shine
Do Nothin’ ‘Til You Hear From Me
East of the Sun
Embraceable You
For Sentimental Reasons
Girl From Ipanema
Glow Worm
Here’s that Rainy Day
Home (From The Wiz)
I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
I Could Write a Book
I Didn’t Know What Time It Was
I Fall In Love Too Easily
I Get a Kick Out of You
I Got Rhythm
I’m Glad There is You
I Remember You
I Should Care
I Thought About You
I Wanna Be Around
I’ll Be Seeing You
I’m in the Mood for Love
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
If I Loved You
If I Only Had a Brain
Imagination
Indian Summer
It Had to be You
It Might as Well Be Spring
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
Love is You
Love Walked In
Lush Life
Misty (swing)
You Make Me Feel So Young
It Only Happens When I Dance With You
Mood Indigo (swing ala Nina Simone)
Sophisticated Lady
Love Me or Leave Me
The More I See You
Moon River (Upbeat Waltz)
My Funny Valentine (upbeat waltz)
My Romance
Nature Boy
The Nearness of You
Night and Day
On a Clear Day
On the Street Where You Live
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Our Love is Here to Stay
Pennies from Heaven
Picnic (Upbeat bossa)
Poinciana (jungle rhythm begins song)
P.S. I Love You
Put on a Happy Face
Rainbow Connection
Ribbon in the Sky
Round Midnight
Route 66
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Sleep Time Gal
Smile
Someday My Prince Will Come
Someone to Watch Over Me
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
Straighten Up and Fly Right
Tangerine
Tenderly
That’s All
There Will Never Be Another You
They Can’t Take that Away from Me
Time After Time
Too Young
The Very Thought of You
What is there to Say
What Is This Thing Called Love
When You Wish Upon a Star
Willow Weep for Me
Wives and Lovers
You Don’t know Me
You Go to my Head
You Were Meant for Me
You Wonderful You
Young at Heart
Your Cheatin’ Heart
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