Gospel Jazz Pioneer & Award-Winning Keyboardist; Bestselling Author; Reality TV Star on Bravo; Record Label President
Ben Tankard Biography
Ben Tankard is an American keyboardist, composer, producer, and author recognized as a pioneering figure in gospel jazz. Tankard was among the first artists to dedicate an entire recording to the gospel jazz genre with his debut album, "All Keyed Up." He has built a career spanning more than 20 albums, extensive touring at festivals and churches, and thousands of performances.
Tankard, a self-taught musician who never took formal lessons or learned to read music, transitioned to music after a brief stint in minor league basketball and a short time with the NBA, which ended due to a knee injury. After a period of personal hardship, Tankard discovered his musical talent at a Pentecostal revival service, which marked the beginning of his journey in gospel jazz.
He has released over 16 albums, earning 15 gold records, six platinum certifications, 16 Stellar Awards including induction into the Stellar Gospel Music Awards Hall of Fame, 10 Dove Award nominations, and three Grammy nominations as a producer. His album "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" was the first in Billboard magazine history to appear on the gospel, contemporary jazz, and jazz charts simultaneously. Tankard holds the distinction of being the most decorated gospel instrumentalist, with multiple Stellar Awards.
In addition to his solo work, Tankard discovered Yolanda Adams and produced her albums "Through the Storm," "Save the World," "More Than A Melody," and "Yolanda." He has also collaborated with Grammy-winning artists such as Take 6, Fred Hammond, Kelly Price, John P. Kee, Shirley Murdock, Twinkie Clark, and Gerald Albright, earning gold and platinum records for his production work.
Tankard has been referred to as the "Quincy Jones of Gospel" for his production skills and his role in bringing instrumental gospel jazz to a broader audience. His discography includes "Piano Prophet," "Let's Get Quiet: The Smooth Jazz Experience," "Full Tank," "Full Tank 2.0," "Shine!," and "The Godfather Collection," a compilation celebrating his career. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Musical Excellence from The Atlanta Gospel-fest.
As a speaker and motivator, Tankard has worked with the NBA, supporting the NBA Office of Player Development and encouraging players to pursue interests beyond basketball, often integrating smooth jazz performances into his sessions.
Tankard's life and career were featured on the Bravo reality series "Thicker Than Water," which reached a wide national audience. He is also the author of the motivational self-help book "The Full Tank Life," a national bestseller named Inspirational Book of the Year by Essence magazine. His bibliography includes four books, such as the bestseller "Faith It Til You Make It," published through Thomas Nelson.
A licensed instrument-rated pilot, Tankard flies his own Cessna airplanes to engagements, embodying the "full tank" philosophy of living with purpose and passion. His contributions have made a significant impact on gospel jazz, smooth jazz, and contemporary Christian music.
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Ben Tankard Videos
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How do I book Ben Tankard to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ben Tankard for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ben Tankard, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ben Tankard or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Ben Tankard
Speaking fees for Ben Tankard, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ben Tankard are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ben Tankard, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Ben Tankard speak about?
Ben Tankard is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Basketball, Black Heritage, Christian, Diversity & Inclusion, Faith & Religion, Faith & Religion, Motivational, Music, Non-Fiction Authors, Overcoming Adversity, Sports Motivation -
Where does Ben Tankard travel from?
Ben Tankard generally travels from Tennessee, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Ben Tankard’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Ben Tankard for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ben Tankard for your next private or corporate function. -
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AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ben Tankard or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
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Ben Tankard is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ben Tankard for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Ben Tankard generally travels from TN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kirk Whalum, J.J. Hairston, Tye Tribbett, Maya Moore and Kirk Franklin. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ben Tankard for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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