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

Biography

Tucker was born in Durham, North Carolina in 1941. He grew up in Rankin, Pennsylvania before moving back to North Carolina aged 12. When he was six, he started learning piano, eventually playing in church. While at high school, Tucker played in the school band as well as in a trio that included Grady Tate. Aged 15, Tucker received an early admission scholarship to attend Morehouse College. He became a teacher and taught at a high school in Lake Wales, Florida and Mississippi Valley State College while also performing music. Tucker left Mississippi in 1964 and moved to New York City. In New York, he performed with Damita Jo, with whom he toured London. He moved on to have stints working with comedian Timmy Rogers, Little Anthony and the Imperials and as organist for James Moody. 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. In 1989, Tucker move to Melbourne, Australia. 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. In Melbourne, Tucker worked at the Victorian College of the Arts' School of Music.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Richie Cole With Junior Cook With Frank Foster With Bill Hardman With Louis Hayes With Willis Jackson With Eddie Jefferson With Rahsaan Roland Kirk With Eric Kloss With Johnny Lytle With the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet With Philly Joe Jones With Archie Shepp With George Benson With others