Mickey Tucker

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

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 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.

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

In 1989, Tucker move to Melbourne, Australia.