Mickey Tucker

Mickey Tucker (born Michael B. Tucker; April 28, 1941)[1] is an American jazz pianist and organist.

Mickey Tucker
Born (1941-04-28) April 28, 1941
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Piano, organ
Years active1960s–present
LabelsXanadu, Muse, Steeplechase, Denon

Biography

Tucker was born in Durham, North Carolina in 1941.[1] He grew up in Rankin, Pennsylvania before moving back to North Carolina aged 12.[2] When he was six, he started learning piano, eventually playing in church.[3] While at high school, Tucker played in the school band as well as in a trio that included Grady Tate.[4] Aged 15, Tucker received an early admission scholarship to attend Morehouse College.[2][4] He became a teacher and taught at a high school in Lake Wales, Florida and Mississippi Valley State College while also performing music.[1][2]

Tucker left Mississippi in 1964 and moved to New York City. In New York, he performed with Damita Jo, with whom he toured London.[2] He moved on to have stints working with comedian Timmy Rogers, Little Anthony and the Imperials and as organist for James Moody.[1] He entered the jazz world in 1969, working for the next several years with Eric Kloss, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Eddie Jefferson, and George Benson. He was music director for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. During the 1980s, he appeared on albums by Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Richie Cole, and Benny Golson.[3]

In 1989, Tucker move to Melbourne, Australia.[2] In an interview with Cadence magazine, Tucker explained that he moved to Australia following the murder of two women in his apartment complex in 1987. Tucker's friend, who Tucker says was with him at the time of crime, was accused of the murders. The stress caused by trying to help his friend led him to decide to move to Australia - where his wife was from.[5]

In Melbourne, Tucker worked at the Victorian College of the Arts' School of Music.[6]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Richie Cole

With Junior Cook

With Frank Foster

  • 1968 Manhattan Fever
  • 1978 Twelve Shades of Black
  • 1979 Non-Electric Company
  • 1998 Swing
  • 2007 Well Water

With Bill Hardman

With Louis Hayes

With Willis Jackson

With Eddie Jefferson

With Rahsaan Roland Kirk

  • 1971 Blacknuss
  • 1978 The Vibration Continues
  • 1999 Left Hook Right Cross

With Eric Kloss

With Johnny Lytle

With the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet

With Philly Joe Jones

With Archie Shepp

  • 1978 Live in Tokyo
  • 1989 Tray of Silver

With George Benson

  • 1985 Love Walked In
  • 1985 The Electrifying George Benson
  • 1987 4 for an Afternoon
  • 1993 Witchcraft
  • 1995 Par Excellence
  • 1998 San Francisco: 1972
  • 1999 Live: Early Years
  • 1999 The Masquerade Is Over
  • 2002 After Hours
  • 2002 Blue Bossa

With others

References
  1. Feather, Leonard (1999). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press. p. 654. ISBN 978-0-19-507418-5.
  2. Rinzler, Paul (20 January 2002). "Tucker, Mickey". Grove Music Online. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.j458100. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  3. Kelsey, Chris. "Mickey Tucker". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  4. "Mickey Tucker Collection, 1948-2021 - Archives Online at Indiana University". archives.iu.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  5. Van Trikt, Ludwig (2018). "Interview: Mickey Tucker". Cadence. 44 (3): 81 – via ProQuest.
  6. Clark, Blanche (13 January 2001). "Sam's hot message". Herald Sun. p. 108.
  7. "Mickey Tucker | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  8. "Mickey Tucker | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
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