Home » Jazz Musicians » Ben Tucker

Ben Tucker

A native of Tennessee, Tucker by the age of twelve, began to develop his musical interest first on trumpet and later on the bass and quickly made a name for himself in Nashville. Following a stint in the Air Force, Ben settled in California, playing with Art Pepper and Shorty Rogers, among others, and was an integral participant in the legendary "Jazz of Two Cities.”

By the early 1960's, he was regularly performing and recording with such greats as Herbie Mann, Billy Taylor, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Rich, Quincy Jones, Marian McPartland, and Mel Torme. A prodigious composer (many of his songs are jazz standards) of over 300 titles, Tucker's "Comin' Home Baby" was a blockbuster hit for Herbie Mann, "Devilette" and "The Message," both recorded by Dexter Gordon and " Right Here, Right Now" by Billy Taylor are just a few of the many title songs that Ben has written and published.

Ben has been rewarded and nationally celebrated by his appointment to the Advisory Committee of the Kennedy Center for the Arts by President Jimmy Carter. Today, Ben Tucker maintains an extremely busy career as artist and businessman, playing regularly in Savannah where he has been active in the city's artistic, cultural, and economic scene, and has been a major factor in business and other matters affecting the interest of Savannah's minority community and making the national and international festival scene with the excellent Ben Tucker Trio.

Tags

258
Album Review

Grant Green: Sunday Mornin'

Read "Sunday Mornin'" reviewed by Norman Weinstein


There are a lot of Grant Green records on the market these days, entirely too much for those of us who think of him as one of the more erratic talents in the distinguished Blue Note catalog. But Sunday Mornin', coming immediately after the recent release of three funk-themed Green compilations of questionable value, is a gem, arguably the finest album of his career. Green had the misfortune of being saddled by his record company with painfully stupid ...

Read more articles

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ben Tucker

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ben Tucker

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Ben Tucker's birthday today!

A native of Tennessee, Tucker by the age of twelve, began to develop his musical interest first on trumpet and later on the bass and quickly made a name for himself in Nashville. Following a stint in the Air Force, Ben settled in California, playing with Art Pepper and Shorty Rogers, among others, and was an integral participant in the legendary “Jazz of Two Cities.” By the early 1960\'s... Read more. ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ben Tucker

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ben Tucker

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Ben Tucker's birthday today!

A native of Tennessee, Tucker by the age of twelve, began to develop his musical interest first on trumpet and later on the bass and quickly made a name for himself in Nashville. Following a stint in the Air Force, Ben settled in California, playing with Art Pepper and Shorty Rogers, among others, and was an integral participant in the legendary “Jazz of Two Cities.” By the early 1960\'s... Read more. ...

83

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ben Tucker

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ben Tucker

Source:

All About Jazz is celebrating Ben Tucker's birthday today!

Ben Tucker - acoustic bass A native of Tennessee, Tucker by the age of twelve, began to develop his musical interest first on trumpet and later on the bass and quickly made a name for himself in Nashville. Following a stint in the Air Force, Ben settled in California, playing with Art Pepper and Shorty Rogers, among others, and was an integral participant in the legendary “Jazz of Two Cities.” By ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Sunday Mornin'

Blue Note Records
2005

buy

Jeru

Columbia Records
1962

buy

Mucho Calor (Much...

CGD East West
1958

buy

Collections

Intro Records
1957

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.