In this episode of the Half Geek Half Human podcast, we speak with Steve Rucker, a musician, college music professor, and programmer, who is also the former drummer for the Bee Gees. Steve shares his unique perspective on how technology is reshaping the world of music, covering topics from digital tools to live performances and the creative fusion of code and composition.
Steve Rucker is a lecturer in the Studio Music and Jazz Department at the Frost School of Music. He received his bachelor’s degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami in 1979 and was awarded his master’s degree in jazz performance in 1983. Mr. Rucker got his start in Charlotte, North Carolina, performing locally and touring with the Funk/R&B group “Sugarcreek.” During this period, he became the musical arranger for this seven-piece horn band, and wrote and recorded their first single, “Runnin’ Out Of Time”. He moved to South Florida in 1976 and performed and recorded steadily with numerous jazz, Latin, funk, and fusion groups. He has twice been voted “Best Jazz Performer” and “Most Versatile Artist” in South Florida polls. In the early 1980s, Mr. Rucker was a member of the Ross-Levine band, a groundbreaking jazz-fusion group. In addition to numerous appearances with them, he recorded the albums “That Summer Something” and “Humidity,” which featured Pat Metheny and Hiram Bullock. While a member of Randy Bernsen’s Ocean Sound Band, he recorded tracks on “Paradise Citizens” and “Calling Me Back Home,” and performed many concerts internationally, including a billing with Miles Davis. He also recorded “Blues Hat Dances ‘Round Midnight” with Bernsen and continues to perform with him. In 1990, Mr. Rucker recorded “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” with Gloria Estefan. For many years, he performed internationally with Ben Vereen, and appeared with Mr. Vereen with the Atlanta Symphony and the Dallas Symphony. Steve Rucker was a member of the Bee Gees for more than ten years, and appeared with them on numerous TV shows and performances, including:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Rucker
https://www.frost.miami.edu/
https://www.facebook.com/steve.rucker.33/
https://twitter.com/drbeat
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steverucker/
https://www.instagram.com/steverucker
