Art Taylor

Arthur S. Taylor, Jr. (April 6, 1929 – February 6, 1995) was an American jazz drummer who "helped define the sound of modern jazz drumming".

Career

As a teenager, Taylor joined a local Harlem band that featured Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean and Kenny Drew. After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee (1948), Coleman Hawkins (1950–51), Buddy DeFranco (1952), Bud Powell (1953), George Wallington and Art Farmer (1954), Powell and Wallington again (1954–55), Gigi Gryce and Donald Byrd (1956), he formed his own group, Taylor's Wailers. Between 1957 and 1963 he toured with Donald Byrd, recorded with Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and performed with Thelonious Monk; he also was a member of the original Kenny Dorham Quartet of 1957.

In 1963 he moved to Europe, where he lived mainly in France and Belgium for 20 years, playing with local groups and jazz musicians such as Johnny Griffin, John Bodwin and with travelling American musicians such as Woody Shaw during the latter's tenure in Paris. He returned to the United States to help his mother, who was ill. He continued freelancing after returning to the United States, and in 1993 organized a second band called Taylor's Wailers. He died in Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan.

Art Taylor (writer)

Art Taylor is an American short story writer and book critic. His short fiction won an Anthony Award in 2015,Agatha Awards in 2014 and 2015, a Macavity Award in 2014 and three Derringer Awards: for Best Novelette in 2011 and for Best Long Story in 2012 and 2013. He is the author of On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories.In addition to writing fiction, he also reviews mysteries and thrillers for The Washington Post, and contributes to Mystery Scene magazine.

He is also an English professor at George Mason University.

References