Ben Tankard (born January 10, 1964) is an American gospel/smooth jazz musician, producer, and arranger.

Biography

Tankard's father was a minister and his mother a missionary. In church, he played drums at an early age. He played tuba in school and received a basketball scholarship. Although he was selected in the NBA draft, he hurt his knee before the season started. During a period of homelessness, he went to church and was inspired by a revival service to turn his life around. He began playing keyboards, recorded ''Keynote Speaker'' (1990) for Tribute, and started to learn about arranging and record production. He has worked with

Gerald Albright Gerald Albright (born August 30, 1957) is an American jazz saxophonist. He earned Grammys for the albums ''24/7 (Gerald Albright and Norman Brown album), 24/7'' in 2012 and ''Slam Dunk'' in 2014 and was nominated for ''New Beginnings (Gerald Albr ...

, Twinkie Clark,

Fred Hammond Frederick William Hammond (born December 27, 1960) is an American gospel singer, bass guitar player, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most popular figures in contemporary gospel music. He is known for using a variety of differ ...

, John P. Kee,

Shirley Murdock Shirley Murdock (born May 22, 1957) is an American R&B singer-songwriter. She is best known for her guest appearance alongside Charlie Wilson on Zapp and Roger's 1986 single " Computer Love", as well as her 1986 single, "As We Lay". The latt ...

Kelly Price Kelly Cherelle Price (born April 4, 1973) is an American R&B and gospel singer. Beginning her career in 1992, Price originally performed backing vocals for Mariah Carey on multiple songs, including Carey's ''Billboard'' Hot 100-number one sin ...

, and

Take 6 Take 6 is an American a cappella gospel sextet formed in 1980 on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. The group integrates jazz with spiritual and inspirational lyrics. Take 6 has received several Grammy Awards as well as D ...

. Tankard discovered a third-grade school teacher named

Yolanda Adams Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961) is an American gospel singer, actress, and host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show. She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10 million albu ...

and signed her to his indy Tribute label. He produced her albums '' Through the Storm'', '' Save the World'', '' More Than A Melody'', and '' Yolanda... Live in Washington''. They collaborated on over 40 compositions. He credits her voice for helping to bring his production style and keyboard playing to a large audience. He won

Stellar Awards A Stellar Award is an award presented by SAGMA to recognize achievements in the gospel music industry.Sagma
The Stel ...

' Best Instrumental Album in 2010 for ''Mercy, Mercy, Mercy''. In 2012, ''Ben Tankard/ Full Tank'' was nominated by the

Soul Train Music Awards The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards ceremony which honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the production company of '' Soul Train'', the program from which it takes its name, and ...

for Best Contemporary Jazz Artist.

Discography

* ''All Keyed Up'' (1989) * ''Keynote Speaker'' (1990) * ''Keys to Life'' (1991) * ''An Instrumental Christmas'' (1991) * ''Sunday Drivin'' (1993) * ''Play Me in Your Key'' (1994) * ''Instrumentally Yours'' (1996) * ''Git Yo Prayze On'' w/Tribe of Benjamin (1997) * ''Raize Da Praise'' by Tribe of Benjamin (1999) * ''The Minstrel'' (1999) * ''Christmas Love'' (2000) * ''Song of Solomon'' (2001) * ''Play a Lil' Song for Me'' (2003) * ''Piano Prophet'' (2004) * ''Let's Get Quiet: The Smooth Jazz Experience'' (2007) * ''Mercy, Mercy, Mercy'' (2009) * ''Full Tank'' (2012) * ''Thicker Than Water-The Church Picnic'' (2013) * ''Full Tank 2 (2015) * ''Full Tank 3: CanTANKerous'' (2017) * ''Rise!'' (2018) * ''Shine!'' (2021)

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tankard, Ben 1964 births Living people African-American songwriters Songwriters from Florida American performers of Christian music Smooth jazz pianists 21st-century American keyboardists 21st-century American pianists 21st-century African-American musicians 20th-century African-American musicians