In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, I speak with Drew Tucker, vibraphonist, educator, and Director of the Jazz Road program at South Arts. Known for his wit, creativity, and signature reminder that “It’s not a xylophone,” Drew has spent his career reshaping how people listen — not only to instruments, but to one another. Drew shares stories of his early musical influences, his lifelong love of rhythm, and the turning points that led him from performer to cultural leader. The conversation explores the power of mentorship, the role of the arts in building community, and what it means to create spaces where young musicians can thrive. Together, Maurice and Drew reflect on sound as a language of empathy and curiosity — and how, in the right hands, a vibraphone can become an instrument of connection, creativity, and change.

• Learn more about Drew's work via his website: Its is not an xylophone..
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