RogerF Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 (edited) Virtuoso British pianist John Taylor has died aged 72. He passed away at a concert at which he was performing in France, having suffered a heart attack. His contribution to British (and international) jazz was pivotal. He made numerous recordings, including his debut album Pause and Think Again and contributed to several of Kenny Wheeler's albums. He was also a member of the trio Azimuth with Wheeler and Norma Winstone. More here: http://www.londonjazznews.com/RIP John Edited July 19, 2015 by RogerF Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Terrible!One of my favourite musicians (in any genre!). I can't count the times he's given me pleasure in concert (not to mention on record).Saw him in Sheffield back in January in a wonderful trio - he was in superb form.A dreadful loss.RIP Quote
king ubu Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Very sad news indeed.Will put on the album he made with Charlie Haden later on. Quote
mikeweil Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Sad news ... saw him perform with Miroslav Vitous' Quartet in Frankfurt many years ago, and liked how he really leaned into the music with a lot of energy and dedication, still leaving plenty of space. Great. Will have to play the LP later on. Another great one gone ... R.I.P. Quote
Head Man Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Oh, that really is sad news. One of my favourite musicians and someone who I have been lucky to have seen live on many, many occasions. Quote
mjazzg Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Horrible news.....very sorry to hear this. Enjoyed so many performances and recordings over the years. Quote
Joe Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Beautiful player. Another irreplaceable voice. Quote
Homefromtheforest Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 I only got to see him perform once (in a duo with Kenny Wheeler) but have many albums and CDs that he performs on. A great pianist...sad news. Quote
Van Basten II Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Sad, very underrated pianist in these parts. Quote
Hardbopjazz Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Wow. Die doing what you love. RIP John. Quote
alankin Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Obiturary: http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/jazzblog/rip-john-taylorIncludes a reminiscence by Django Bates. Quote
Clunky Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Very,very sad. John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler to giants gone within a few short months. Taylor had a fantastic touch and a very distinct voice. Quote
Ted O'Reilly Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 A wonderful player. Such a sudden shock... Quote
clifford_thornton Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Damn! RIP. Great player; never saw him but have heard him on quite a few records. Quote
7/4 Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 Sad, unexpected news. I really liked his playing a lot. Take care John. Quote
Justin V Posted July 19, 2015 Report Posted July 19, 2015 I like what I've heard of him on albums with Kenny Wheeler, live recordings and his own Requiem for a Dreamer. Thank you for the music, Mr. Taylor, and rest in peace. Quote
sidewinder Posted July 20, 2015 Report Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) This sad news has rendered me speechless. I will really miss him out there on the live scene. What a great player he was - thankful I got to see him quite a few times, from back in the 1980s with Azimuth, then more recently with Wheeler's big band and his own trios as well. The last performance I saw was an intimate solo recital at a festival in Dorset a few years ago at a rural church location in Plush. That one was magical..The LP of 'Pause and Think Again' will be coming out later today. I think it has just been reissued on CD as well. RIP Mr Taylor and thanks for all the good music. Huge loss for Britiash jazz. Edited July 20, 2015 by sidewinder Quote
Head Man Posted July 20, 2015 Report Posted July 20, 2015 Very nice obituary in the Guardian...http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/19/john-taylorwhich mentions not only his beautiful piano playing but also the fact that he was a very nice person...as he most certainly was. Quote
John L Posted July 20, 2015 Report Posted July 20, 2015 This was an unexpected shock. RIP John Taylor Quote
six string Posted July 20, 2015 Report Posted July 20, 2015 Such a sad discovery this morning of John Taylor's passing. I only discovered him ten or so years ago but I've acquired a lot of his music since. His music became a regular part of my early morning listening. One of little pleasures in life is waking slowly in front of the stereo with coffee cup in hand listening to music like Taylor's. Sublime. I wish I could have seen him perform.R.I.P. and thanks for the beautiful music. Quote
sidewinder Posted July 20, 2015 Report Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Been reminiscing today about the many times over the years I've seen John Taylor play live. The first occasion might well have been at Ronnies in the 1983 Gil Evans British Orchestra lineup but it might also have been even earlier than that at Ronnies as he was in the house band for a while. One of the most memorable times in recent years was at Bath when he was due to duet with Kenny Wheeler - Kenny was ill and had to retire last minute but JT fulfilled the gig and played tribute to Kenny with a lovely performance. A great guy by all accounts.His is various collaborations with John Surman were a standout as well. Edited July 20, 2015 by sidewinder Quote
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