Inside the Jazzers Studio - Alexis Cole

I met Alexis Cole in February of this year at the Brenda Carol Renaissance Jazz Festival.  Originally from New York City, Alexis had been performing that week at Opal Jazz Lounge and extended her Toronto performing scheduled by appearing on the Sunday night of the festival.  She completely captivated me with her musicality, stage presence, repertoire choices and flawless voice.  Truly a beautiful singer and generous spirit (as you'll remember from my Jitterbug Waltz story.)  For about a month now Alexis has been in residence at the Tableaux Lounge in Tokyo where she sings and plays six nights a week. Thanks to the communication friendly internet, Alexis and I have kept in contact while she's been over in Japan. I asked her to give us a feel for being a musician overseas:
 

1. What is your favorite word? Ne, it's a question word at the end of a sentence.  it means like...don't you agree?   It's a gorgeous day, ne?
2. What is your least favorite word?   It's a gesture.  They cross their hands, making an X.  It means no, or not possible, but somehow it always feels like 'screw you and your countrymen.'
3. What turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally]?   Learning gives me hope in life. When i get depressed it's often because I'm bored.  Learning something, new Japanese vocabulary, changes to a new tune, Portuguese lyrics to a Jobim tune...these things change my headspace.
4. What turns you off?  When I go table to table with my post cards and CD's and people at the table I'm at start talking about me in Japanese and laughing.  What am I to do?   What are they saying!?!
5. What sound or noise do you love?   The outlook version of 'You've got Mail' I love getting emails from people.  I don't have a phone, so that's my main way of staying in touch.  I hate when it's just junk or someone's gig announcement that I can't go to.  I'm really social and being alone out here is a little difficult for me.  I make friends, but it's not the same somehow.   
6. What sound or noise do you hate?   The sound of my little fridge going on and off, the hazards of rabbit hutch living.  And the sound of One loud customer in an audience full of listeners.
7. What is your favorite curse word? I don't know any Japanese curse words.  I like cursing quickly in English here, I feel I can get away with it more easily since people don't generally speak English.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?   I would like to run a retreat center.
9. What profession would you not like to do?   Waitress.  I did it, I was terrible!   
10. If Heaven exists, who's the first person you want to see in concert when you arrive?  Bob Marley

If you can't save up the coin for a trip over to Tokyo don't worry, I have a feeling Alexis will be back singing on Canadian soil this summer.  Keep your eye on her website!