Thaddeus Tukes is a vibist from Chicago, IL. As a band leader, Tukes has been showcased at Carnegie Hall, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Jazz Showcase, Green Mill, and a host of other locations throughout the country. Tukes has also been featured alongside jazz greats, including Victor Goines, Roy Hargrove, Dee Alexander, Marquis Hill, and Jason Marsalis. Tukes virtuosity and expertise have given him opportunities across genres, sharing stages with Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Roots, Kendrick Lamar, and Chance the Rapper.
In 2017, Tukes was awarded the Emerging Artist Award from the Vivian Harsh Society, the largest African-American history and literature collection in the Midwest.
Tukes is a 2016 graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied Jazz Vibraphone and Piano, and Journalism. Tukes is the first person in the country to receive a degree in jazz vibraphone from a non-conservatory university, public or private, and was the first student to major in jazz vibraphone at Northwestern.
In 2015, Tukes was named a Luminarts Jazz Fellow.
In 2014, Tukes was chosen as lead student ambassador for “We Will: The Campaign,” Northwestern’s multi-billion dollar fundraiser. Tukes gave presentations of his work on campus and beyond to investors in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
That same year, Tukes was appointed to the executive board of the Associated Student Government. As Vice President of Diversity (now Accessibility) and Inclusion, Tukes collaborated with students, faculty, staff, and administration across campus in developing strategic plans to improve the student experience. Tukes also served on the Coalition of Colors, Northwestern’s multicultural community organizing board.
In 2013, Tukes founded Ra Sol, a Creative Consulting and Public Relations Firm for Independent Artists.
In 2012, Tukes founded music collective, Syndicate, which was voted Northwestern students’ favorite band for three years in a row. Syndicate has opened for a number of musical acts, including 2 Chainz, Big Krit, and Anderson .Paak.