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 followed with He has worked with

Gerald Albright Gerald Albright is an American jazz saxophonist. He earned Grammys for 24/7 in 2012 and Slam Dunk in 2014 and has been nominated for New Beginnings in 2008 and for Sax for Stax in 2009. Biography Born in Los Angeles, Albright grew up in its ...

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, John P. Kee,

Shirley Murdock Shirley Murdock (born May 22, 1957) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, who is best known for her 1986 R&B hit single "As We Lay" and for her vocals on Zapp and Roger's hit single " Computer Love". Her lead vocal special guest appearance wit ...

Kelly Price Kelly Cherelle Price (born April 4, 1973) is an American R&B and gospel singer. She started her singing career in 1992. Price originally garnered attention by singing backing vocals for Mariah Carey on multiple songs, including her ''Billboar ...

, 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 Dove ...

. 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 albums ...

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 Stell ...

' 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 show which previously aired in national broadcast syndication, and honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the makers of ''Soul Train'', the pr ...

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 pianists 21st-century African-American musicians 20th-century African-American people