Bobby Tucker

Bobby Tucker

Bobby Tucker and Billie Holiday in 1948
Background information
Birth name Robert Tucker
Also known as Piano Man
Born January 8, 1923(1923-01-08)
Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
Origin Harlem, New York, U.S.
Died April 12, 2007(2007-04-12) (aged 84)
Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Jazz, swing
Occupations Pianist, composer, arranger
Instruments Piano
Years active 1946–2007
Associated acts Billie Holiday and Billy Eckstine

Bobby Tucker (born Robert Nathaniel Tucker; January 8, 1923 - April 12, 2007) was a pianist and arranger during the jazz era from the 1940s into the 1960s. He is most famous for being Billie Holiday's accompanist from 1946 to 1949.

Music career

Billie Holiday

On November 12, 1946, during Billie Holiday's stay at the Down Beat Club, Bobby Tucker was drafted to accompany Holiday because Eddie Heywood refused his opportunity. Billie's stay at the Down Beat was so successful due to Tucker's playing that she decided to keep him as her accompanist. The partnership lasted until 1949, where Tucker quit due to Holiday's abusive lover, John Levy, threatening him. (Not to be confused with the bass player)

Billy Eckstine

After leaving Holiday in 1949, Bobby Tucker began playing for Billy Eckstine. Not much is known about this partnership, but there is a 1960 album, No Cover, No Minimum which features Tucker playing piano for Eckstine. Tucker also released his own album under his own name in 1960, Too Tough. Tucker died of a heart attack.