Mark began playing drums at the age of five, and turned professional at 16. The list of artists he has worked alongside in an impressive career reads like a 'who's who' of jazz, and covers a wide range of styles from Mainstream to Be-bop and beyond, and includes saxophonists Pepper Adams, Benny Carter, Arnett Cobb, George Coleman, Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Allen Eager, Teddy Edwards, Jimmy Forrest, Herb Geller, Johnny Griffin, Joe Henderson, Clifford Jordan, Lee Konitz, Frank Morgan, Charles McPherson, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Marshall Royal, Pharoah Sanders, Bud Shank, Sonny Stitt, Lew Tabackin, Buddy Tate, Frank Wess, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, trumpeters Franco Ambrosetti, Chet Baker, Ruby Braff, Randy Brecker, Doc Cheatham, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Art Farmer, Joe Newman, Dizzy Reece, Shorty Rogers, Woody Shaw, Clark Terry, trombonists Al Grey, Jimmy Knepper, Kai Winding, pianists Toshiko Akiyoshi, Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, George Cables, Kenny Drew Sr, Victor Feldman, Don Friedman, Benny Green, George Gruntz, Al Haig, Eddie Higgins, Andrew Hill, Hank Jones, Duke Jordan, Geoff Keezer, Dado Moroni, Gerald Wiggins, Richard Wyands, guitarists Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Mundell Lowe, Joe Puma, bassists Ray Brown, Red Mitchell, George Mraz, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen and vocalists Mose Allison, Freddie Cole, Johnny Hartman, Anita O’day, Jackie Paris, Irene Reid and Jimmy Witherspoon.
To date, Mark has performed on more than fifty five albums, including the 2001 Grammy nominated Blue Note album by legendary pianist and singer songwriter Mose Allison ‘The Mose Chronicles’ volume 1.
Mark has toured extensively in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia with many of the previously mentioned artists. Recent credits include work with the Monty Alexander trio & quartet from 1999~2004. Mark has been an integral part of tenor saxophonist and flautist Lew Tabackin’s trio since 1982, and is currently a member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi trio of which he joined in 2003.
In addition to being one of the most in demand sidemen in the music industry, Mark also functions as a leader of his own groups. He counts drummers Ed Blackwell, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes, Billy Higgins, Elvin Jones, Papa Jo Jones, ‘Philly’ Joe Jones, Pete (LaRoca) Sims, Max Roach and Tony Williams as important influences.
Awards
Nominated for ‘Best Drummer’ in the British Jazz Awards 1988
~ 1995
2001 Grammy nomination for ~
Mose Allison ‘The Mose Chronicles Volume 1’ Blue Note 7243 5
297472 6
2007 Swing Journal gold disc award for ~
Eddie Higgins Trio ‘A lovely way to spend an evening’ Venus
Records Japan
Gear
Bosphorus cymbal endorser
Early 1960's 6 ply Round badge Gretsch drums
Color - Champagne sparkle
8 x 12 mounted tom
14 x 14 floor tom
18 x 14 Bass drum
14 x 5½ maple snare
CYMBALS
22' ride (medium sizzle)
20' ride (medium sizzle)
18' crash ride (medium)
15' Hi-Hats (medium)
'Mark has been a part of my musical life for over 20 years.
There isn't another
drummer since Billy Higgins who can adapt to all accoustic
situations and
create intensity at any dynamic level'
Lew Tabackin 2008.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
'Let me tell you about Mark Taylor. He is one of the last of the
swinging jazz
drummers who come from the true Be-bop tradition, yet at the
same time, I
can take him where I want to go. It's just thrilling to have a
drummer that has
that rock-solid rhythm when he plays a pulsing jazz tempo. He's
not trying
to be another Elvin. There's only one Elvin. There's a whole host
of people
trying to follow that style, but that doesn't come from 'Let me
make your
body shake.'
Read more
'Mark has been a part of my musical life for over 20 years.
There isn't another
drummer since Billy Higgins who can adapt to all accoustic
situations and
create intensity at any dynamic level'
Lew Tabackin 2008.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
'Let me tell you about Mark Taylor. He is one of the last of the
swinging jazz
drummers who come from the true Be-bop tradition, yet at the
same time, I
can take him where I want to go. It's just thrilling to have a
drummer that has
that rock-solid rhythm when he plays a pulsing jazz tempo. He's
not trying
to be another Elvin. There's only one Elvin. There's a whole host
of people
trying to follow that style, but that doesn't come from 'Let me
make your
body shake.'
Monty Alexander interview with Franz A. Matzner 'All About
Jazz Magazine'
October 28th 2003.
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'Almost everywhere I go, I take my choice team, which is as
happy a band as
I've ever had. My drummer is a fantasic, wonderful guy from
London who is
all about the tradition of what jazz drumming is all about. I'm
talking about
the groove and the rhythm. His name is Mark Taylor. I come
from the old
school. I love Sam Woodyard, Jake Hanna, Kenny Clarke,
Connie Kay and
Mickey Roker. So many drummers of today are fantastic
drummers, but I
don't hear them with the same kind of pulse.....laying down a
foundation like
Freddie Green layed out. That's what I'm about.'
Monty Alexander interview with Bill Tannenberg (Jazz review)
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'British drummer Mark Taylor is a tower of strength.'
Tony Augarde (Music Web International)
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