Mike Tucker

Dave Zinno: Fetish

by Rob Rosenblum
November 29, 2021

While it is obvious that bassist Dave Zinno put a lot of thought into the writing and arrangements here, it is the quality of solo performances that gives this album its worthy distinction. Some may be familiar with pianist Tim Ray from his inclusion in the trio backing one of altoist Greg Abate's albums and his own trio outing on Whaling City Sound label. But trumpeter Eric Benny Bloom and most impressively, the tenor mastery of Mike Tucker, were previously ...

Dave Zinno Unisphere: Fetish

by Jack Bowers
September 26, 2021

Dave Zinno's New York-based Unisphere is a quintet/sometime sextet that is rhythmically sound, melodically smooth and anchored by his assertive bass lines. The group employs a splendid two-horn front line (tenor saxophonist Mike Tucker, trumpeter Eric Benny Bloom) and adds a third, trombonist/arranger Rafael Rocha, on the freewheeling closer, “Meu Fraco e Cafe Forte" (in English, “My Weakness Is Strong Coffee") but Rocha doesn't solo. The quintet morphs to sextet on five other numbers wherein keyboardist Leo Genovese joins the ...

Mike Tucker: Collage

by Jerry D'Souza
February 25, 2006

When Mike Tucker comes out swinging with “Fanfare, the expectations run high for Collage. Tucker does not disappoint in terms of the music, almost all of which he has composed, and also the playing of his tight and cohesive band. Tucker takes a variety of sounds and spins them into a convincing web. He plays with a calm authority, whether driving the insides of a bopping tune or filtering the gentility of a ballad. He certainly shows a lot of ...

Mike Tucker: Collage

by Michael P. Gladstone
February 23, 2006

Tenor saxophonist/composer Mike Tucker catches attention on his debut, Collage. The Boston-based musician, age 26, established some good credentials through his participation in the 2002 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competetion and then in 2005 Nancy Jazz Festival in Lorraine, France in the company of first order jazzmen like Joe Lovano, Pat Martino, Michael Brecker and Gary Burton.

Tucker & Company come charging out of the gate circa 1964, sounding like Joe Henderson and Kenny Dorham on an ...

Mike Tucker: Collage

by Jim Santella
February 21, 2006

New England tenor saxophonist Mike Tucker leads his quartet in a modern mainstream session of original compositions on Collage. “Bird Lives, a slow ballad by Billy Drewes, serves as the album's lone exception. Trumpeter Eric Bloom sits in on the opening “Fanfare, which sets the tone for the album with a modicum of excitement and plenty of groove.

Tucker prefers to honor the jazz tradition through his original work, but through quiet reflection and lyrical melodies. “Kathy finds ...

Mike Tucker: Collage

by Dan McClenaghan
February 2, 2006

There's always room on the jazz scene for young talent, even in the tried and true saxophone-plus-rhythm-section format. Tenor saxophonist Mike Tucker received a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2002; he was also chosen to compete in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition the same year. After three years-plus of formal education and more than a decade of professional work--including a Gary Burton/Pat Metheny recording project--Tucker has released his debut CD as a leader, Collage.