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Born in 1921 in North Carolina, Billy Taylor grew up in a musical family. He tried his hand at various musical instruments including guitar, drums and saxophone, but he was most successful at the piano. Taylor made his professional debut on the piano when he was 13.
Taylor went on to Virginia State University, where he was convinced to pursue a career in music. Upon graduating, he left for New York City and was on the scene less than a week before he was invited to join Ben Webster's group. Taylor quickly became part of the jazz community, playing with Oscar Pettiford, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach and Art Tatum, who became a mentor to the young pianist.
After a brief tour of Europe with the Don Redman Orchestra, the first by a jazz band after WWII, Taylor was hired as the house pianist at Birdland. The gig allowed him to sit in with all of the jazz greats who performed at the legendary venue. He stayed on at Birdland longer than any other pianist in the history of the club.
During this time, Taylor also began writing songs, making albums and publishing instructional books on jazz. Taylor would continue both pursuits during his career, with 300 songs to his credit and a continuing interest in jazz education. He received his Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts, and has since received 22 honorary doctorates for his work as a jazz educator and ambassador.
Taylor has also received numerous awards, including an Emmy, a Grammy, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Downbeat Magazine, two Peabodys for his work in broadcasting, the National Medal of Arts. He serves as the artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and he's one of only three jazz musicians to be appointed to the National Council of the Arts.
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Set List for Ruth Brown on Piano Jazz:In Loving Memory (Taylor)
CAG (Taylor)
Lullaby of Rhythm (C. Profit)
Twilight World (McPartland)
His Name was Martin (Taylor)
Portrait of Billy Taylor (McPartland)
If You Really Are Concerned Then Show It (Taylor)
Capricious (Taylor)
These Foolish Things (Maschwitz, Maschwitz, Strachey)
Taylor went on to Virginia State University, where he was convinced to pursue a career in music. Upon graduating, he left for New York City and was on the scene less than a week before he was invited to join Ben Webster's group. Taylor quickly became part of the jazz community, playing with Oscar Pettiford, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach and Art Tatum, who became a mentor to the young pianist.
After a brief tour of Europe with the Don Redman Orchestra, the first by a jazz band after WWII, Taylor was hired as the house pianist at Birdland. The gig allowed him to sit in with all of the jazz greats who performed at the legendary venue. He stayed on at Birdland longer than any other pianist in the history of the club.
During this time, Taylor also began writing songs, making albums and publishing instructional books on jazz. Taylor would continue both pursuits during his career, with 300 songs to his credit and a continuing interest in jazz education. He received his Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts, and has since received 22 honorary doctorates for his work as a jazz educator and ambassador.
Taylor has also received numerous awards, including an Emmy, a Grammy, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Downbeat Magazine, two Peabodys for his work in broadcasting, the National Medal of Arts. He serves as the artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and he's one of only three jazz musicians to be appointed to the National Council of the Arts.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
Subscribe!
Set List for Ruth Brown on Piano Jazz: