Roger Tucker & 3/4 STEP

Genre: Jazz
Secondary Genre: Standards Detroit, Michigan USA Contact

Professional Jazz and Standards band with exceptional musicians of world class experience. Dynamic vocalist, two band members are also members of Motown's Legendary Recording Band, The Funk Brothers.

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Artist Information

Biography

ROGER TUCKER
A native of Winston-Salem, NC now residing in Detroit, MI. Like many famous vocalists, Roger began singing in the church. At the age of twelve, he joined the "Heaven Bound Singers". Since that time singing became his passion. The opportunity to perform in front of an audience is a lifelong dream.

His career in sales helped him to hone in his business acumen. Under the umbrella of his independent label and publishing company, "T-Jazz Records" and "Atterol Music Publishing Company", Roger released his first CD entitled, "Sack Full of Dreams" with his band, "3/4 STEP", (pronounced Three Quarter Step), all of whom are exceptionally talented musicians. His sagacious decisions and uncanny sound landed him center stage at The Palace performing the National Anthem on many occasions for the Detroit Pistons and singing a duet with Kim Weston, (It Takes Two) that was a hit sung by Marvin Gaye and Ms. Weston. Roger's sultry voice and ebullient personality won "Best Male Jazz Vocalist" at the 2009 Detroit Black Music Awards.

Roger's voice was once compared to "Silk sheets sliding across the body". His vocal style rests in the upper echelon of other noted male vocalist such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Jesse Belvin, or Al Jarreau. As quoted by Frank Rubolino, Cadence Magazine, "Roger has a unique and refreshing vocal style. He has an easy manner that seems to allow the words to flow effortlessly. His tone is clear, precise and his delivery is touching. Roger gives all of his songs a personal charm through his choice of phrasing and word accenting. You will unquestionably like the stylized voice of Roger L. Tucker".

"Always", Roger's latest release, a single, can be described as "classic" and "timeless". It is a beautiful love song dedicated to those who lost loved ones in the September 11, 2001 tragedy. This is a must hear song, if you listen, you will remember "Always" and Roger L. Tucker.

ROBERT JONES
Born in Detroit, MI, he began playing piano at the age of Eight-years old and grew to master his skills on the keyboard as well. On his journey to success his talented hands accompanied other great artists such as Mary Wilson, The Contours, The Platters, The Drifters, Ben E King and Peter Frampton. In the year 2004 Robert Jones became one of Motown's finest keyboard players for the Legendary Funk Brothers. He has toured all over the US, Canada, Eqypt, Isreal, Turkey, Greece and Spain with many renown vocalist and musicians. Rob has written, arranged and/or composed music with Charles Hawkins, Roger Tucker and Don Mayberry. His recordings include Marla Jackson, Charles Davis, Peter Frampton and Roger Tucker. His style and sound is uniquely smooth and appreciated by may known artist. Robert Jones continues to perfect his talent and skills as he performs at venues in the Metro area such as Baker's Keyboard Lounge, Club Bart's, Campus Martius, Bert's Theatre and Masonic Temple.

KENNETH "SPIDER WEBB" RICE
A major influence in the new rhythms of today's music is the unique drum style of Spider Webb. His inventive playing is being heard on hit records, concerts and TV shows by name Singers, Jazz and R&B around the world.

Spider Webb whose real name is Kenneth Rice, began playing drums at a early age in his home town of Detroit, MI. Spider recorded with United Artist and Holland-Dozier-Holland in his early teens. He then moved to New York in 1967 where he quickly gained prominence as a studio drummer and was hired on the spot by the late great recording artist King Curtis and the Kingpins.

The next high point in his career was when he became the drummer for Harry Belafonte, from 1969 - 1971 which included playing three extensive engagements in the main room of Caesar's Palace in Los Vegas, NV. Two albums were recorded while with Belafonte, "Calypso Carnival" and "Live in Toronto" both on RCA Records. Spider moved to Los Angeles later in 1971 to work with Famed Jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo.

Work followed with guitarist David T. Walker along with studio session work with all the major record companies. Another important achievement came in 1972 at the Seventh Annual International Song Festival while playing with David Clayton Thomas featuring the Sanctuary Band, which took place in Rio De Janiero. The band took 1st Place honors there. In 1974 Spider completed a tour with dance stylist Tony Basil and the company called the Lockers featuring Fred Berry. This was opening act for the Frank Sinatra Show. In 1974 performed at the first Kool Jazz Festival with Sonny Stitt (alto sax), Sonny Burke (piano), Kenny Burrell (guitar) and Chuck Rainy (bass). First In Concert Series in California with Jazz Artist Gabor Szabo (guitar) in 1971. In 1973 played at the first Midnight Special with David Clayton Thomas (formally of Blood Sweet and Tears). In 1979 Spider moved to Boulder, CO. where he began to write, produce and arrange music more and more.

He then became involved with Hammer & Nails Recording Co. and Good Friends Productions in the Denver area, and produced an album to his credit.

This gave Spider the chance to expand his knowledge and his expertise in record production. One of the projects recorded at that time was the album "Weekends & Holiday", the artist was Eugene Hayward. The album contains a variety of songs from Reggae to Rhythm & Blues.

After completing several projects in the Denver area, Spider decided to return to doing live performances. In June 1980 he did a tour with friend and business associate Harry Belafonte. Three television specials were done, one in Cuba, filmed by the Canadian Broadcasting Co. and one in Jamaica. The German Television network filmed the next one done in Munich, Germany.

Performed with Ester Phillips at most Jazz Clubs in NY and DC area, The Berne Jazz Festival in Berne, Switzerland - 1981.

Spider then returned to New York and began working with various groups and artists. Letta Mbulu invited him to do concerts and TV appearances in the Montreal area. Spider and his close friend Jimmy A. Smith a song writer and arranger in New York, together worked on record productions as well as live shows.

Spider has since returned to Detroit working on different projects with many artist including his own album that's in production. Since moving back to his hometown, Spider has worked with most of Detroit's finest musicians & singers, ranging from pop, jazz and R&B. Spider is also a member of Motown's Legendary Recording Band, The Funk Brothers.

CHARLES "CHARLIE HAWK" HAWKINS
One of Detroit's finest musicians and an icon in the Detroit music business. He is not only a great guitarist, he's also a record producer and songwriter with his wife Shelia. Charlie Hawk has toured with several Motown acts such as The Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Contours, Edwin Starr and Martha Reeves, just to name a few.

Charlie has performed with several self contained groups such as Black-Merda, Brainstorm, Riot and several other Detroit groups. Everything from Gospel, R&B, Country, Blues and Jazz has always had an interesting overcase on Charlie's music.

FLOYD HUMPHREY
A native Detroiter, he began playing the bass guitar at the age of 13. At 17, he began playing professionally with the comtemporary gospel group, Sequest. In 1991 Floyd was one of the founders of a local R&B group, One Up, opening for major musical acts and performing on main stages at jazz festivals until the group broke up in 1995.

As One Up dissolved, Floyd joined with 3/4 STEP when he was asked to provide the rhythm section and help put together the band. Floyd has also created the project, "Greta's Dream" in order to facilitate his own original compositions.

Greta's Dream has received rave reviews for live performances at the famous Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit and is now in the process of recording the Greta's Dream CD.

OSCAR WALTERS
Oscar Walters, born and raised in Detroit, he has had a love for music for long as he can remember. As a product of the wonderful music program in the Detroit Public System of the 60's and 70's and the very atmosphere of "Motown", he is natural, passionate, and skilled musician. He learned to play saxophone in elementary shcool. by the time Oscar was in junior high school he was playing with local bands in clubs around the Detroit area (usually the youngest member). In high school he took up the flute and added flute and piccolo to his saxophone repertoire.

After high school Oscar auditioned and was accepted into the Army Music Program. He attended the US Army Element School of Music in Norfolk, VA - the Army's division of The School of Music which jointly trains the musicians of the Army, Navy, and Marines. At the School of Music he continued to progress and master new forms and styles of music. After graduation he became an Army Bandsman, one of the most sought after positions in the military. With various Army Band units touring and performing both ceremonial music for official military functions and serving as ambassadors to the cilivian communities with all styles of music including Classical, Jazz, Big Band, Swing, Rhythm & Blues, and Soul - Oscar traveled across the United States, South Korea, and Europe.

He had an honorable, fulfilling, and rewarding career as a bandsman. After retiring from the military, Oscar stopped playing for fourteen years and devoted his time completely to his family. He initially retired to Charlston, South Carolina but eventually moved his family to Detroit. During those years he never lost his love of music nor his desire to perform. When he started playing again, he realized how much he had missed what had been a very intricate part of his life since he was a child. Oscar is truly home and is now performing in clubs and venues around the Detroit area.



Instrumentation

Roger Tucker - Vocals
Robert Jones - Keyboards
Charles Hawkins - Guitar
Floyd Humphrey - Bass
Ken "Spider Webb" Rice - Drums
Oscar Walters - Sax, Flute

Discography

Sack Full of Dreams - CD
Always - Single
Sleep Me Safe - Single
Airplay in local Detroit market as well as Chicago and other areas.

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Setlist

Our sets are typically one (1) hour each.

Song list included but not limited to the following:
Anything in the Real Books

VOCALS - JAZZ/STANDARDS:
It's All Right With Me
Better Than Anything
Sack Full of Dreams
How High The Moon
What's New
For Sentimental Reasons
Unforgettable
That's All
Golden Lady
Route 66
Misty
Beyond The Sea
Teach Me Tonight
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Autumn Serande
What A Wonderful World
Beginning To See The Light
Making Whoopie
Mona Lisa
Them There Eyes
Since I Fell For You
Smile
Hello Detroit
Got A Lot Of Living To Do
Blue Moon
My Favorite Things
Autumn Leaves
Gee, Baby Ain't I Good To You
My Way

R&B/POP:
The Night That I Fell In Love
Always
Sleep Me Safe
Suddenly It's Clear
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
Let Me Be Good To You
Sailing
Lovely Day
So Amazing
Easy Like Sunday Morning
Stuck On You
You And I
Use Me
Never Gonna Give You Up
Love Will Find A Way
After All
Distracted
You Send Me
Don't You Know That
For You
I Can't Get Over You
If Only For One Night
Lady Love
Me And Mrs. Jones
You'll Never Find

BLUES:
Steal Away
Can I Change My Mind
Turning Point
Steppin' Out Steppin' In
Down Home Blues









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