Robert M. Rucker

Robert Mansfield Rucker
Jam session at Smalls
Background information
Birth name	Robert Mansfield Rucker II
Also known as	Rook
Born	November 4, 1967 Chicago,Illinois
Origin	Florida A&M University University of North Florida Manhattan School of Music
Genres	jazz
Occupation(s)	Jazz Musician Music Educator/Certified Music Teacher
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Independent
Associated acts	SwingSet Quintet
Website	Robert Rucker Project Live at The Needle NYC Music Education Consultants

Robert Mansfield Rucker (born Chicago, Illinois, raised in Miami, Florida) is a jazz drummer, music teacher, and composer.

Rucker has recorded and performed with many notable artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Wes Anderson, Wycliff Gordon, Herb Harris, Scotty Barnhart, Philip Harper, Eric Lewis, Stephon Harris, Eddie Henderson, Sam and Dave, Steve Marley and Dead Prez. He has also produced music for Sony Pictures and performs with a jazz band called SwingSet Quintet.

Early life

After graduating from Miami Douglas MacArthur North, Robert attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. He was a member of the notable "The Marching 100" Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble. Robert later moved to Jacksonville, Florida and transferred to the University of North Florida where he received his B.A in Music. In 1995, Robert moved New York to attend graduate School at Manhattan School of Music. After graduation, Robert began to teach music in New York and New Jersey Public Schools.

Music career

Robert appears on Wynton Marsalis "Amongst the People: Live at the House of Tribes on Blue Note Records. He also is featured on the soundtrack of the Movie "Black or White with hip-hop duo "Dead Prez". Robert released and produced his debut Cd "Make Blue" featuring Philip Harper and Todd Williams. In 2002, his latest release "Blue York" featured the world renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Discography

As leader

• 1998: Make Blue
• 2002: Blue York
• 2014 Men Say The Dardnest Things

As sideman

• 2000: Movie Soundtrack "Black & White"Dem Crazy
• 2005: Amongst the People "Live at the House of Tribes(Blue Note Records)

References

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