* En anglais uniquement
Since the '60s
Mickey Tucker has graced hard bop recordings by such players as
Junior Cook,
James Moody,
Frank Foster,
Louis Hayes, and others. Primarily a pianist,
Tucker has also performed on organ, notably with
Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Tucker began playing piano around the age of six. Experience playing in church as a youngster influenced his musical concept. In the mid-'60s he backed non-jazz acts Little Anthony & the Imperials, R&B vocalist
Damita Jo, and comedian Timmy Rogers. His jazz career took off beginning in the late '60s. From 1969 to 1975 he recorded and/or toured with the saxophonists
Moody,
Kirk, and
Eric Kloss; the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, drummer
Roy Brooks, vocalist
Eddie Jefferson, and the group Final Edition.
Tucker was also present on several
George Benson recordings dating from the early '70s before the guitarist abandoned straight-ahead jazz. In 1976
Tucker played with
Kloss and
Jefferson. He also toured Europe with
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, serving as the group's musical director. In the late '70s he recorded with
Cook,
Philly Joe Jones, and
Billy Harper, among others. In the '80s
Tucker recorded with flügelhornist
Art Farmer and tenor saxophonist
Benny Golson's
Jazztet, alto saxophonists
Richie Cole and
Phil Woods, and drummer
Louis Hayes, among others. He remained active in the '90s, playing with
Cook,
the Jazztet, and saxophonist
Bob Ackerman, and others.
Tucker is a musician's musician -- not well known to the public at large but highly respected by his fellow jazz players. Although most of his recorded work has been as a sideman, he has occasionally recorded as a leader, beginning with the 1975 album Triplicity on the Xanadu label. ~ Chris Kelsey