Barbara Tucker, soprano

For years, Barbara sang with her mom and siblings as The Johnson Family all over the Gulf Coast areas and especially at their home church, Jerusalem Baptist. Many of the songs they sang were written by her mother.

In 1969, Barbara spent a year in New York as a cast member of the Tony-Award winning Broadway drama The Great White Hope, starring James Earl Jones. While in New York, she had her debut recital in the famed Carnegie Recital Hall and filmed several nationally-televised commercials.

In Houston, we have seen her as a regular anthem soloist for the former Houston Oilers, Houston Rockets, and many local events. She was privileged to sing at the state funerals of Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan. In September of 2000, she was presented in concert at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In November of 2002, she sang atop the Turkey float in Houston’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

As a producer, Barbara has eleven recordings including three gospel CD’s and three hymn projects, a Christmas tape and her first one, Patriotic Praise. Her first commercial recording, Order My Steps, became a local favorite and won two Texas Gospel Music Awards. She and her singing friends, whom she calls A Chosen Few, have one joint gospel CD, So Precious.

In August of 2002, they completed their first major work on CD…the 20-Piece-Christmas Cantata Born To Die by Glenn Burleigh.

Barbara is a member of Good Hope Baptist Church where she served on the music staff for nearly ten years. She has also served as a voice consultant in the school of Fine Arts at Texas Southern University.

Her sensitivity, sincerity, and spiritual conviction is embodied in an unusual vocal blend of classical and gospel and can be described as no less than enchanting.

Visit Ms. Tucker’s website.

Promenade Series Season Tickets ordered before August 24, 2010 are just $60 for individuals and $175 for families. The season ticket includes all ten (10) concerts. After August 24, the Individual price is $70 and the Family price is $200.

Single ticket prices are: $12 adult, $10 senior, $6 child/student. Group tickets are also available for $8 each for groups of 6 or more.

Ms. Tucker’s accompanist is Phillip Hall.  Hall is a pianist whose repertoire runs the musical gamut. He is in great demand as a gospel pianist and toured the nation as a liturgical leader. He is a recognized pop musician and has shared the stage with the Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin. Possessing Broadway acumen, Phillip has served as musical director for Ain’t Misbehavin’, One Mo’ Time, and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.  Originally from Long Island , New York , he came to Housrton to attend the Shepard School at Rice University . He is in his fifteenth year as a music instructor in the Houston ISD. Additionally Phillip has served as minister of music for the Jones Memorial United Methodist Church since 2000. He has one CD, Decent & In Order.

Also joining Barbara Tucker on The Centrum stage are Earl Collins, saxophonist, and the Alief Jazz Ballet dance company from the Alief Independent School District.