Whatever happened to....

[Hardbopjazz]

Whatever happened to pianist Mickey Tucker? I recall seeing him with Junior Cook in the mid 1980s. I checked on allmusic.com and there isn't any activity after the early 1990s. Did he stop playing professionally?

[JSngry]

I'm told he moved to New Zealand.

[Hardbopjazz]

Ah, That would explain it then.

[JSngry]

Don't know why he moved there, though, or what he's doing, so further elucidation is definitely needed.

[Free For All]

Better New Zealand than Vermont!

[JSngry]

Ok, not New Zealand, but Australia, and as it turned out, only marginally better than Vermont: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=2900

In 1982 the Benny Golson/Art Farmer Jazztet Reunion was formed with Mickey in the piano chair. After a 1983 performance at Ronnie Scott's, the London Times review said that, “...Tucker is an entirely exceptional musician.” He continued with the Jazztet until migrating to Australia at the end of 1989.

Just prior to leaving the USA Mickey recorded the first of his three Steeplechase CD's Blues In Five Dimensions. This was later followed by Hang In There and the piano solo CD Gettin' There. These are all still available; as is a limited number of copies of his second two-piano recording (directly from Tucker by contacting mstucker@iprimus.com.au). The title of this is 176 Keys - Piano Thunder from Down Under, which received rave reviews in Australia, as well as being in the Jazz Rhythms Magazine Top Ten.

In 1991 Mickey was involved in a freak accident while teaching at an Arts College in Melbourne, Australia. The base of his spine was seriously damaged, and eventually it became imperative that surgery be performed. The surgery was successful but, unfortunately, Mickey was left with a condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in his right foot and leg that precludes his being able to play the piano for more than minutes at any one time. Nevertheless, Mickey's interest in the music has never waned, as can be heard on “Now and Then”, an independently produced CD of mostly live performances, taped over almost a 30-year peiod and now digitally cleaned up to make for some very interesting listening.

[sidewinder]

Whatever happened to pianist Mickey Tucker? I recall seeing him with Junior Cook in the mid 1980s. I checked on allmusic.com and there isn't any activity after the early 1990s. Did he stop playing professionally?

Remember seeing him as part of Louis Hayes' group back around 1990. That band also had Charles Tolliver in it - a suprise reappearance at the time from obscurity. John Stubblefield completed the front line.

Very sorry to hear about his accident.

Edited November 20, 2010 by sidewinder

[Hardbopjazz]

Ok, not New Zealand, but Australia, and as it turned out, only marginally better than Vermont: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=2900

In 1982 the Benny Golson/Art Farmer Jazztet Reunion was formed with Mickey in the piano chair. After a 1983 performance at Ronnie Scott's, the London Times review said that, “...Tucker is an entirely exceptional musician.” He continued with the Jazztet until migrating to Australia at the end of 1989.

Just prior to leaving the USA Mickey recorded the first of his three Steeplechase CD's Blues In Five Dimensions. This was later followed by Hang In There and the piano solo CD Gettin' There. These are all still available; as is a limited number of copies of his second two-piano recording (directly from Tucker by contacting mstucker@iprimus.com.au). The title of this is 176 Keys - Piano Thunder from Down Under, which received rave reviews in Australia, as well as being in the Jazz Rhythms Magazine Top Ten.

In 1991 Mickey was involved in a freak accident while teaching at an Arts College in Melbourne, Australia. The base of his spine was seriously damaged, and eventually it became imperative that surgery be performed. The surgery was successful but, unfortunately, Mickey was left with a condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in his right foot and leg that precludes his being able to play the piano for more than minutes at any one time. Nevertheless, Mickey's interest in the music has never waned, as can be heard on “Now and Then”, an independently produced CD of mostly live performances, taped over almost a 30-year peiod and now digitally cleaned up to make for some very interesting listening.

Sad to hear this.