Ben Tankard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Tankard
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | January 10, 1964 Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
| Genres | Contemporary gospel, smooth jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Keyboards |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Labels | Tribute, Sony Music, Verity |
| Associated acts | Gerald Albright, Take 6, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Whalum, Wayman Tisdale |
Ben Tankard (born January 10, 1964) is an amazing American musician. He plays gospel and smooth jazz music. He also helps other artists make their songs sound great as a producer and arranger.
About Ben Tankard
Ben Tankard grew up in a church family. His dad was a minister and his mom was a missionary. He started playing drums in church when he was very young. In school, he played the tuba.
Ben was also a talented basketball player. He even earned a scholarship to play in college! He was chosen in the NBA draft, which is a huge deal. Sadly, he hurt his knee before the season began.
After facing some tough times, Ben found inspiration in church. He decided to focus on music. He started playing keyboards and learned how to arrange and produce songs. His first album, Keynote Speaker, came out in 1990.
Working with Other Artists
Ben Tankard has worked with many famous musicians. These include Gerald Albright, Fred Hammond, and Take 6.
He also discovered a talented third-grade teacher named Yolanda Adams. Ben signed her to his record label, Tribute. He produced many of her early albums, like Through the Storm. They worked together on over 40 songs! Ben says Yolanda's amazing voice helped his music reach many people.
Awards and Recognition
Ben Tankard has won several awards for his music.
- In 2010, he won a Stellar Award. This was for his album Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. It was named Best Instrumental Album.
- In 2012, his album Ben Tankard/ Full Tank was nominated. It was up for Best Contemporary Jazz Artist at the Soul Train Music Awards.
Ben Tankard's Music
Ben Tankard has released many albums over the years. Here are some of them:
- 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)
