“The Teacher: Billy Taylor”

[ghost of miles]

Jazz pianist Billy Taylor was also a broadcaster and educator who helped found the Jazzmobile organization in 1960s Harlem and wrote the civil-rights anthem “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free.” Celebrate his centennial today with a new Night Lights show that includes clips from his appearances on the 1958 TV show The Subject Is Jazz and his work as a jazz journalist for CBS News Sunday Morning With Charles Kuralt:

The Teacher: Billy Taylor

Edited July 24, 2021 by ghost of miles

[Ken Dryden]

Dr. Taylor was a regular at the IAJE conference every January until he retired. One year his trio gave a performance and it was later issued on CD. He always took time to speak to anyone who approached him. He was very underrated by many folks.

[mr jazz]

I have that IAJE cd-how I got it I don't know.

[Ken Dryden]

I was on the press mailing ist and also attended Dr. Taylor's IAJE set.

[mhatta]

It is a pity that Dr. Billy Tylor's works as a Jazz pianist tend to be overlooked since he was well known for his works on Jazz education and broadcasting.  He could be a very gutsy pianist.  His version of "Sunny" is still my favorite one.

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[ghost of miles]

We re-aired The Teacher: Billy Taylor this past week, and it remains archived for online listening.