Progressive musician, Ben Tankard has been thrilling legions of fans worldwide throughout a career spanning well over a decade. With his God given talent and passionate ministry, the Daytona Beach , FL native took his humble beginnings and fueled a calling that would yield a total of fourteen hit records with the world's most prolific Gospel label, Verity Records.

Having established himself as a mainstay in the Gospel world, Tankard has been the preeminent trailblazer Gospel Jazz. As a pioneer, Tankard launched his career in the late 80s with the celebrated release of “All Keyed Up” and subsequently followed with a string of chart topping offerings, including “The Minstrel,” “Song of Solomon” & most recently “Play A Lil' Song For Me.” True to form, Tankard continues with his surefire blueprint of keeping Gospel Jazz alive with the release of his latest studio effort “PIANO PROPHET.”

From the first tickling of the ebony & ivory keys, “PIANO PROPHET” captures the senses with enthralling melodies to soothe the mind, body & spirit. Embarking on a personal journey, Tankard had a decidedly clear vision for the direction of this latest work. “PIANO PROPHET” seamlessly merges the two sides of a complex artist, the Jazz instrumentalist and the new Pastor.

Tankard has been performing his distinctive brand of Gospel music for numerous years, but has only stepped into the role of pastor as of late. “PIANO PROPHET” is an honest and open examination of how both of these worlds collide & meld. Song after song is a display of the personal & professional growth of a talented musician firmly ensconced in the inspiration and anointing of God.

The self-proclaimed “Repo Man” as he lightheartedly refers to himself, Tankard includes noteworthy arrangements of various 1970s Soul classics on “PIANO PROPHET.” Featured are Earth, Wind & Fire's “Head To The Sky,” and McFadden & Whitehead's “Ain't No Stopping Us Now.” Tankard notes that “as a pastor you take people's lives… repossessing God's children from the Devil and bringing them back to the Word. As an artist, I take secular songs from the world and give them back to God…as music first came from the Heavens.”

The rousing arrangement of “Ain't No Stopping Us Now,” with the legendary Shirley Murdock and newcomer Shelle Massey, is a personal favorite of Tankard's. The true pastor in Tankard shines as he explains that “you leave the shelter of the church on Sunday with the knowledge that you have gotten the Word you needed and the guidance & encouragement to make it through the work wee k k nowing that ‘there is no stopping you now'!”

“Jesus Is Love,” the lead single off the project, has special meaning for the showcased vocalist Shirley Murdock. Lending a soulful performance, Murdock was moved by the memories the song brought. The stirring and heartfelt emotions are palpable on this poignant selection. As a youngster she often sang this tune in church, and one fateful Sunday while singing it renowned R&B artist Roger Troutman was in attendance and discovered the aspiring singer, and helped to launch her recording career.

No stranger to enlisting the aid of some of his professional counterparts and closest friends, “PIANO PROPHET” prominently features collaborations with a bevy of Gospel music luminaries. Dubbing themselves the “Gospel Jazz All-Stars,” this group of talented artists is a veritable list of ‘who's who' in the world of music. Featuring Fred Hammond on bass, Ray Bady on drums, Tim Bowman on guitar, Tankard on keyboard and Murdock on vocals, The Gospel Jazz All-Stars provide a decidedly seasoned touch to round out this stellar project.

Members of Tankard's, The Destiny Center Church, Shelle Massey & Eric Coleman, new voices in Gospel, hold their own as featured artists on “Lil' Ole Church .” Paying homage to the roots of Gospel music, this mellow and smooth melody invites listeners to take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce on the source of their faith & fellowship. “We all started in a lil' ole church. Never leave the security, love & fellowship of the small church no matter how big you get in life. The small church is the birthplace and start of it all.”

Tankard has brought Gospel Jazz to the forefront of the industry while simultaneously shining the spotlight on his unique talents as a gifted and anointed instrumentalist. With every new release, he increases the popularity of his brand of music.

Lauded over for his superb musicianship, Tankard has garnered a laundry list of accomplishments. With 3 Grammy nominations; 8 Dove nominations; 9 Stellar Awards; 6 Gospel Excellence Awards & 2 Vision Awards, Ben Tankard has set himself apart as a premiere Gospel Jazz instrumentalist - earning the title of “Founding Father' of the genre he helped establish.

Ben Tankard & wife Jewel have been pastoring The Destiny Center Church in Tennesse for the past three years and are currently in the process of building a sanctuary to house their thriving congregation. With the success of his best-selling book, “Faith It Til You Make It,” Tankard plans to publish a second book geared towards the benefits of aviation and aircraft acquisition.

“PIANO PROPHET,” a moving body of work encompassing a myriad of musical styles, effortlessly marries Jazz, R&B, Soul and Gospel melodies for a contemporary sound that appeals to all Christians. This boundary breaking collection of astonishing instrumental cuts is sure to speak a Word to the hearts of all its listeners.

“PIANO PROPHET” will be in stores everywhere on June 22, 2004

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Manushka Magloire/Verity Records – (212) 824-1285

Manushka.Magloire@verityrecords.com