John Taylor (jazz) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Taylor
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Taylor in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Born | 25 September 1942 Manchester, England |
| Died | 17 July 2015 (aged 72) Segré, France |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Piano, organ, synthesiser |
| Years active | 1969–2015 |
| Associated acts | Kenny Wheeler, John Surman, Norma Winstone |
John Taylor (born September 25, 1942 – died July 17, 2015) was a talented British jazz pianist. He was born in Manchester, England. Besides the piano, he sometimes played the organ and the synthesizer.
Contents
Early Life and Music
John Taylor taught himself how to play the piano. His family moved from Manchester to different parts of England. In 1964, he moved to London. There, he became part of the exciting free jazz music scene.
A Career in Jazz
John Taylor first became known in the jazz world in 1969. He played with saxophonists Alan Skidmore and John Surman. Later, he worked with Surman again in a group called Morning Glory.
In the early 1970s, John played for the singer Cleo Laine. He also started writing music for his own band. He often played with famous visiting artists at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. He even became a member of Ronnie Scott's own band.
Forming Azimuth
In 1977, John Taylor started a special trio called Azimuth. He formed it with singer Norma Winstone and trumpet player Kenny Wheeler. This group was known for its creative and delicate sound. Azimuth recorded several albums and performed in many countries.
Collaborations and Compositions
During the 1980s, John worked with many famous jazz musicians. These included Jan Garbarek, Gil Evans, and Lee Konitz. He also wrote music for choirs, like the English choir Cantamus Girls Choir. He even wrote pieces for the Hannover Radio Orchestra.
John continued to work with Kenny Wheeler and John Surman. Their album Ambleside Days received great reviews. In 1996, John played the organ on Surman's choral work Proverbs and Songs. He also recorded several albums with Peter Erskine's trio.
In 2000, Azimuth teamed up with the Smith Quartet for a festival. John also recorded the album Verso with Maria Pia De Vito and Ralph Towner.
Milestones and Awards
In 2002, John Taylor celebrated his 60th birthday. He went on a tour with his new trio, featuring drummer Joey Baron and bassist Marc Johnson. During this tour, they played John's composition "The Green Man Suite." In July 2002, John won the BBC Jazz Award for 'Best New Work' for this suite.
His solo CD Insight was released in 2003. A jazz critic from The Guardian newspaper praised it. In 2004, John recorded albums with Kenny Wheeler and Charlie Haden. He also formed a new trio with Palle Danielsson and Martin France. Their album Angel of the Presence was released in 2006.
John's Unique Piano Style
John Taylor's piano playing was very special. He used ideas from both jazz and classical music. His style was known for its complex rhythms and rich harmonies. He often played with unusual time signatures. He also expanded the harmonic sounds used by other great pianists like Bill Evans.
Teaching Music
John Taylor was also a dedicated teacher. From 1993, he was a professor of Jazz Piano at the Cologne College of Music. In 2005, he became a lecturer at the University of York. He helped many young jazz musicians learn and grow.
Family Life
John Taylor was married to jazz singer Norma Winstone. They had two sons together. Leo Taylor became a drummer for the band The Invisible. Alex Taylor became a singer-songwriter. John later married Diana, who sadly passed away in 2004. He then married his childhood friend, Carol Weston.
His Passing
John Taylor passed away on July 17, 2015. He had a heart attack while performing at a jazz festival in France. He was taken to the hospital but could not recover.
Images for kids
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John Taylor in 2008
