On The Run: Paris and a new chapter in Toscana

This post is more of a journal entry. Something that I felt the need to write, because my heart is heavy. This past weekend completed a 2 year journey working with Beyonce. Having completed two tours with Beyonce and one with JayZ (Mrs Carter Show/On The Run), I have experienced so many incredible things, have traveled the world many times, and have gained the most incredible family. The end of the tour kind of snuck up on me, and I didn’t expect it. It wasn’t until about a year into the tour that I really started opening my eyes to how incredible my job and my life really is. I was still adjusting to being out in the real world. However, being on the road for 2 years didn’t feel like real life. It honestly felt like an extension of school.

Just like the rest of my tour family we’ve had ups and downs, amazing shows, great traveling experiences and not so good ones.. we’ve experienced heartbreak, we’ve fought, and experienced the most incredible highs one could imagine. I can’t even begin to tell you about all of the amazing people I’ve met. I’ve experienced love from so many fans and people around the globe…language barrier or not.

This post was prompted by me sitting in my Italian class this morning in Tuscany.. (yes, I moved to Tuscany.. for a little while anyway). Everyone in the class was introducing themselves to each other, and then it came my turn. People asked why I was there and what I do, etc. So I stumbled through telling them about my adventure in the past two years in broken italian.. and that is when I realized that that chapter of my life is over (for now anyway).. I haven’t accepted that yet. Yes, when one door closes another opens, and I’m excited about a new beginning, however.. I wasn’t ready for that life to end. I wasn’t ready to leave my sisters in the band.. I wasn’t ready to not wake up, go to soundcheck, play a show, etc. But what can you do? I’m so grateful to Beyonce for not only giving me the opportunity to play, but more for just bringing me together with my family. We have become a family. I’m so grateful and blessed for being able to have had that experience.. and it’s certainly not over. But you have to understand, before I joined Beyonce, I was still in school.. so this is really the first time in my life I have no strings attached to anything or anyone. It’s so freeing. It’s overwhelming. It’s exciting. It’s petrifying.

Which brings me here.. To Toscana. In my house on top of many hills.. with the most amazing view that I didn’t think existed in real life. Yet, here I am. I cook. I learn Italian. I play music. I write music.. I meet new people. It’s an amazing life. As they say here.. “prima o poi le cose belle finiscono” which means “now or later all of the beautiful things end”.
Anyway.. enough of that. I’m working on the next few episodes of the cooking show..which will air soon! I have so much love for all of the fans and friends that have followed my journey the past 2 years.. It’s not over yet.. So stay tuned!! Thank you all for your support!

P.s. To my sisters.. Rie, Katty, Crystal, Bibi, Joy, LT, Dani, Tiffany, Crissy, Montina..I love you with ALL of my heart. God blessed me with you all in my life. See you really soon.. one way or another!10685792_10202672571963194_8656351411958126434_n

Con molto amore (with much love),
Adison

Life on the road with the Mrs Carter Crew and Beyoncé

Just like any other leg to this tour there have been ups and downs.. Mostly ups! I love being on the road in the US just because of the simple fact that it’s not TOO far away from home, and I still get to use my phone and have internet :D. Plus, this leg is shorter than the others, which is nice since the holiday season is here and we all just want to be home with our families. Meanwhile, I have my lovely tour family and here’s some of the adventures we’ve had so far this leg…

We had a blast in San Jose at Christmas in the Park..

photo-79

getting in the Christmas spirit with my favorite movie..

photo-80

We go to rehearsals and rock out…

photo

Kind of like Larry (Les Twins) and Derek did today on the bus in Kentucky..

We catch lots of trains, planes, boats, and buses..

There’s ups! like seeing my suite mate from Interlochen (high school) in Houston, Emily for lunch!

photo-84

Then there’s more ups like getting picked up in cool dude cars on occasion..

photo-76The best part about this leg so far was the COOKING PARTY that we had at Jennita’s! Here’s a sneak peek (full episode to appear soon)!

I made apricot glazed turkey meatballs, and they were a hit! I love sweet and savory. yum yum yum!

Lots of the crew cooked too including Katty, and her “Not Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding”

photo-81

photo-78Crissy even gave LT a peanut butter facial! She’s very convincing. 😉

Then there’s the times where we are killing time backstage (everynight) so we watch Ancient Aliens.. Dun Dun Dun!!!

photo-85and Rie always falls asleep.. she’s dreaming of aliens..

photo-86Then there’s the Mrs Carter Show..

photo-89 photo-88 photo-87

It’s a good job.

Halloween down under with the Mrs Carter Band

Hey Everyone! Here are some shots and videos from the Mrs Carter Show Halloween party and the band carving watermelons! I didn’t buy a costume so I tore the sheets off my bed and made a toga! It came together with the help of some of Crystal’s birthday flowers.. Always finding ways to improvise over here.. Here’s the stuff!

20131102-152845.jpg

20131102-152903.jpg

20131102-152936.jpg

20131102-152950.jpg

20131102-155247.jpg

20131102-155301.jpg

20131102-155416.jpg

20131102-155423.jpg

20131102-155439.jpg

20131102-155334.jpg

20131102-155407.jpg

20131102-155349.jpg

I hope you all had a very spooky halloween!

In other news.. Stay tuned for a new episode of Adi’s Jazz Kitchen.. Featuring a very talented special guest!! Take a guess who..

Dun dun duuunn!

Fish Tacos down unda with the Mrs Carter Crew!

The lack of a kitchen on the road really infuses a deep sense of excitement (over the normal amount) within me when it comes to good food..  As you can see by this video, I am more than thrilled when our “after show” food is us getting our own taco truck. You can also see, that I’m not the only one! (Both of the Larry’s, Crystal, and Rie seem to agree)!

Been having a blast, Melbourne. See you for show number 3 tonight!

Projeto de Meninos/Meninas de Rua

20130919-110248.jpg

The whole reason that I do what I do lies in this picture. These kids give me the energy and the inspiration to keep on performing and strive to be a better artist. I cannot thank enough the Projeto de Meninos e Meninas de Rua for visiting with the Mrs Carter Show a few nights ago in Sao Paolo.

Most of the time when I get to the venue, I grab my horn and go straight to a place where I can practice. Usually this means practicing in a stairwell, a bathroom, a loading dock with all of the trucks, or in some cases when the crew let me.. the crew room. I remember in Sao Paolo I went to practice and finished just in enough time to take my horn out to the stage when I ran into the kids from this project. Thank goodness I did, because I didn’t realize the amount of joy that they were about to bring me. Our first meeting went a little like this:

This whole trip to South America is a huge affirmation that the simplest things in life can bring the most happiness. Not money, not fame, not material items, not a huge house, not a nice car.. none of that. The majority of people here don’t have that. They are the happiest, most passionate, most grateful people I’ve ever met in my life. Take note, America.
Here’s a few clips from their performance:

20130919-113010.jpg

20130919-120325.jpg
Translation by Daniele Ribiero

Dear Projeto de Meninos/Meninas de Rua,

I know you guys said that you came to see the Mrs Carter Show a few nights ago, but the way I see it, is I came to work that day to see you guys perform. It was one of the most honest, inspiring performances I’ve ever witnessed in my career. Music can change the world, and I am eternally grateful for who you all are and what you do. Thank you. With much love..

From one of your biggest fans,
Adison Evans

To check out more on The Project of boys and girls of Rua go to their website: http://www.pmmr.org.br

Belo Horizonte Adventure!

Today was our day off in Belo Horizonte and it was such a blast! Brazil, you are such a beautiful country with amazing people! At first I didn’t think anything was going to happen outside of the hotel today, since we’re all pretty unfamiliar with Belo Horizonte, but it turned out to be a day full of adventure, thanks to our lovely tour guide, Raquel!
Let’s start at the beginning. First was the Central Market:

My mind goes into overdrive whenever I’m in a market, especially a fun one like this! There were so many colors, scents, shapes and sizes.. I wanted to try everything! (I’m not kidding, our tour guide Raquel was like “wow she really does want to eat everything doesn’t she?!”) Starting with empadas.. the perfect balanced bite of crusty dough, salty beef, and melty creamy cheese. Ah, heaven! Rie wanted to get more to bring home, they were so good! Here’s Rie, Bibi, Raquel, and myself:

20130910-203640.jpg

Next up was the Brazilian cachaca, explained to me by Raquel:

We chased our empadas with the sweetest pineapple I’ve ever tasted. yum!

20130910-204607.jpg

20130910-204751.jpg

20130910-204901.jpg

20130910-204933.jpg

Not only were there lots of yummy things to eat, but there were lots of babies! Here’s Larry’s new friend:

20130910-205051.jpg

Our next stop on the Belo Horizonte Adventure was to hear a little bit of a very happening Brazilian pop band, Jota Quest play in the park!

20130910-205638.jpg

20130910-205709.jpg

Continuing on in our music/food/adventure filled day, we stopped to enjoy acai bowls with granola and banana! Apparently the acai fruit is known in the amazon as the “viagra of the amazon”.. Little fun fact for ya.. 😉 lol!

20130910-210823.jpg

The best part about eating this antioxidant packed snack is the color it turns your tongue..

20130910-211112.jpg

After that we took a drive with Praca Do Papas in mind as our destination and took in the scenery and happened to take a roller coaster ride! (??) I mean, we drove down the steepest hill I’ve ever seen in my life. The one in the video yelling “we’re all gonna die”.. yeah, that’s me.

20130910-211527.jpg

Belo Horizonte, thank you for an amazing adventure packed day filled with food, music, breathtaking views, a rich culture, and lots of love. My heart goes out to you and I cannot wait to play for you all tomorrow night!
Eu amo voce!
Adi

Join the Mailing List to be the First to Hear About Upcoming Performances

Don’t worry!  Adison only sends out one email a month.