About the Artist

Thaddeus Tukes is America’s rising star vibraphonist. A Chicago native, Tukes is a jazz composer, arranger, and percussionist who “brings poetry to the vibraphone” (Chicago Tribune). Mr. Tukes is a graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and Northwestern University, where he studied jazz vibraphone and piano. He has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, Symphony Center in Chicago, the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, and most recently traveled with his Chicago Freedom Ensemble to play the World Expo 2020 Dubai as the “world’s greatest vibraphonist.” From hosting multi-generational jam sessions to “keeping jazz alive on the South Side,” Tukes has emerged as a shining force in the Chicago and American jazz scene. Tukes has performed with a variety of artists including Victor Goines, Roy Hargrove, Nicole Mitchell, Ari Brown, and Chance the Rapper. When not performing, Tukes can be found leading percussion ensembles at various elementary and high schools in the Chicago area.