Allison Adams Tucker; photo credit: Robert Fisher
Monday, November 24, 2025
12 PM
Allison Adams Tucker
Given 4 stars by DownBeat Magazine and described by the Examiner as “lustrous in any language—a vocalist who clarifies every note within a hair’s breath,” multi-lingual vocalist Allison Adams Tucker creates a unique travel memoir in music with jazz-driven songs that span countries and genres in 6 languages with music from Cole Porter to Jobim, Bjork to Astor Piazzolla, the Beatles to Michael Jackson. As All About Jazz adds, “Tucker’s voice is a beautiful instrument—one that floats, flies, and seduces with its no-fuss delivery.”
With 4 critically acclaimed albums and 3 EPs in her discography, Allison is 6 time Best Jazz nominee by San Diego Music Awards, and her voice can be heard on national 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, Le Baiser Salé Paris, Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival Osaka, and Body & Soul Tokyo, among others.
Allison is joined by power duo Melonie Grinnell on piano and Justin Grinnell on bass.
Melonie Grinnell
Melonie Grinnell is a San Diego based jazz pianist. Active as an educator and performer, she began studying piano at the age of four and has since been recognized not only for her skills as a pianist, but also for her abilities as a vocalist, music educator, and musical director. Melonie received her Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education with a jazz emphasis from the University of Miami and a Masters of Music performance degree in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University.
Melonie has an extensive list of musical performance experiences in jazz, classical and musical theater. She has performed in well-known San Diego jazz venues including Dizzy’s, Croce’s Jazz Bar, 98 Bottles and the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library. Melonie has also worked as a musical director and pit keyboardist for Starlight Civic Theater, the San Diego Repertory Theater, and the Lawrence Welk Theater. Additionally, she has been employed by Royal Caribbean International Cruises, both as a pianist and musical director for shows featuring major headliner acts.
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 year-round . . . 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 11:40 a.m. Last entry is at 12:10 p.m. or once capacity is reached. Seating is first-come; first-served. Reservations are not necessary, but seating is limited.