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Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor is a drummer, pianist, composer and arranger, born in Spokane Washington in 1954. He started classical piano studies at the age of 5 with Rosalyn Moldenhauer at the Spokane Conservatory, then drums starting at age 10 with Fred Hartley. In the Seattle area he studied drums with Dave Stetler and Joe Field, arranging with Ralph Mutchler at Olympic College, and later in life drums with Kim Plainfield, Vince Cherico, and Pat Petrillo at the Drummer's Collective in New York City. Playing professionally since the age of 14, he first toured in Jerry Hegarty's country trio in 1972, then with the great CC Pinckney for several years until the later 1970s. Settling down in Seattle, he became a very busy session drummer, working country, rock, and jazz groups; theater, and classical ensembles. His first recording, 'Court of Circe', was recorded in 1981 and features a dozen of the finest jazz players in Seattle at the time. The music is all original, with the title track and one other written by Fred, one by british-born latin-fusion guitarist Brian Chambers, two by multi-woodwind master Craig Lawrence, and one by the versatile jazz pianist and accompanist J. Andrew 'Andy' Carr. During the late 70s and through the 80s and into the 90s, Fred was constantly working with bands and theater groups in the Seattle area, while producing and/or performing on several records by the Cozzetti-Gemmill Band, Plumbarrie, The Facts, Dingman- Duran, Ronnie Pierce, and many others. He also led several unique jazz/fusion groups which featured all-original material, including the original Inquest trio, with guitarist Gary Rollins and bassist Bruce Phares, and the quartet Sanctuary, which featured the late pianist/composer Dana Brayton and Craig Lawrence on woodwinds. In the early 2000s, Fred and Gary re-created the group Inquest as a quartet and released the exquisite CD 'Processional', one of the most eclectic and colorful fusion albums to be heard. In the mid 2000s Fred moved to the East Coast, where he worked constantly with Bob Ackerman and his wife, Pam Purvis, who is possessed of a golden voice and unique singing style. In addition, Fred worked with several well-known New York artists including Joey Morant, Chris Koch, the fusion band Not-Yet, and jazz and blues singer Sharon L. West. Fred also led a trio, featuring Bob and ace bassist Rick Crane which recorded 'Circling' in 2008 and 'Live at Cecil's Vol. 1' in 2009.

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Event

Fred Taylor To Receive george Wein Impresario Award from Berklee College Of Music, March 11, At Scullers Jazz Club 

Fred Taylor To Receive george Wein Impresario Award from Berklee College Of Music, March 11, At Scullers Jazz Club 

Source: Berklee Media Relations

Berklee will present famed jazz promoter Fred Taylor with the college's first ever George Wein Impresario Award on Wednesday, March 11, at Scullers Jazz Club. Named after Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein, the award recognizes individuals who bring music to life through their dedication to discovering, mentoring, presenting, and promoting creative musicians and their music.  The concert, titled Berklee Salutes Scullers, is produced by composer, guitarist and Berklee professor Bill Banfield, and includes performances from fellow faculty members Tia Fuller, George Russell ...

111

Radio

Impresario Fred Taylor Talks About His Life in Jazz with WGBH Host Steve Schwartz on Friday, April 15

Impresario Fred Taylor Talks About His Life in Jazz with WGBH Host Steve Schwartz on Friday, April 15

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Boston's legendary jazz promoter, Fred Taylor, is going to be on the radio with jazz host Steve Schwartz this Friday, April 15, from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight on WGBH 89.7 FM. To listen to the show via Live Stream, click here. In June 2010, Taylor received a Heroes Award from the Jazz Journalists Association for his lifelong work in promoting jazz and other musical genres. To read a profile of Fred Taylor in the 2010 MassJazz Travel Guide, click here. ...

Richard Kamins, Cadence Jazz Review November 1982

Court of Circe

"Taylor is a solid drummer ... He sounds like Jack DeJohnette, building his solos on polyrhythms and splashing cymbals."

Clive Griffin, Jazz Improv Magazine August 2007

Processional

"There is nothing to criticize musically about the committed creative efforts of these experienced players."

Dave Miele, Jazz Improv NYC Guide Magazine January 2009

Circling

"(Taylor, Ackerman and Crane) play as one living breathing entity throughout Circling."

John Vincent, JazzReview.com April 2009

Circling

"...a satisfying disc worthy of repeated listening."

Primary Instrument

Drums

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Top quality drum instruction is offered by Fred Taylor at the studio or the student's home. Instruction courses are individually tailored to the age, experience level, and musical goals of the student. A strong emphasis on sight reading, snare drum rudiments, limb independence and 4-way coordination are standard elements of all of Fred's instruction programs. Other topics include: Double bass drum technique and applications; advanced jazz, funk, and fusion playing; commercial musicianship and pop styles; Afro-Cuban rhythms, congas, bongos, and timbales. Currently, lessons are offered in the New York area at Fred's home in New Jersey. The Mukilteo studio is inactive until Fred returns to Washington State on a full-time basis. Students of any age and experience level are welcome. Rates: $35 for a 1-hour lesson at the studio; $50 for at-home lessons. Phone or e-mail Fred for more information.

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Essex Improviser's...

Fred Taylor Music
2012

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Court Of Circe

Unknown label
1982

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Videos

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