Billy Taylor - Reviews

“I love piano players who swing. I especially admire 77–year–old pianists who swing like they’re 27. It follows logically that Billy Taylor would be among my favorite pianists, an assessment that is emphatically underscored by his marvelous new solo album, Ten Fingers, One Voice, a thoroughly entrancing tour de force on which Billy takes dead aim at half a dozen standards, two Jazz staples and three of his own compositions, and scores a sonic bull’s–eye on every one. The voice is wide–ranging and articulate, encompassing elements of bop, swing, post–bop and even some stride (on Teddi Castion’s “Easy Like”). Faint echoes of Powell and Tatum (and even Garner) surface from time to time, along with techniques employed by some of Taylor’s more talented contemporaries. What emerges, however, is Taylor’s singular approach to the music, which is always brisk and invigorating. Free to create his interpretations of these songs from whole cloth, as it were, he proves more than equal to the task, unbending or burning as required, with an impeccable feeling for swing and harmonics, humming softly along as he fashions some of his more rapid and sinuous improvisations. The choice of material is superb, the outcome no less so. By the time Taylor completes his ardent version of Rodgers and Hart’s “My Heart Stood Still,” chances are he’ll have won your heart as he has mine.”
--Jack Bowers, All About Jazz.com

“Taylor…invests these familiars with a deeply personal sense of spirit and pluck that begs return visits.”
--Willard Jenkins, Jazz Times May 1999

"Rarely are solo piano albums this enchanting…he displays a flawless bebop sensibility…he also displays a masterful sense of dynamics, which helps keep the album constantly engaging…”
Erza Dale, Jazziz, May 1999

“…one of Taylor’s best recordings in a long career. In his playing, you can hear the entire history of jazz…”
--Jim Trageser, American Reporter

What critics say about Music Keeps Us Young:

"Billy Taylor belies his 75 years of life with this cheerfully infectious, flawlessly articulated performance."
--Jack Sohmer, Jazz Times

"This excellent outing finds this septuagenarian’s fingers as agile as ever…with a glistening, enchanting take on Coltrane’s "Naima"."
--Billboard

"Taylor weaves wonderful magic on the keyboard. It is jazz the way jazz ought to be."
--Don Adderton, Sun Herald

"The 75-year-old jazz pianist Billy Taylor still sounds as fresh as the latest 21-year-old wunderkind on this flawless swing-filled CD. Dr. Taylor has made another impressive contribution to classic jazz."
--Ken Dryden, Chattanooga Free Press

"It is extremely difficult to believe that Billy Taylor is now 76. As one of jazz’s most articulate spokesmen, Taylor intelligently communicates the joys and uniqueness of jazz on CBS Sunday Morning But despite his fame, Taylor remains, most importantly, a very vital pianist. On this trio set…the repertoire…is generally boppish, spontaneous and quite accessible. This easily enjoyable CD both documents the pianist’s continued excellence and launches the Arkadia label."
--Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene

"This is meticulously executed, technically adroit music. It swings brightly through a catalogue of keyboard approaches, a pleasant warmth…consistently entertaining."
--Stuart Broomer, Cadence

**** stars - "The presentation is first class…The civilized, articulate music of Billy Taylor deserves all of Arkadia’s T.L.C.…the album possesses a careful balance, a finished quality. The sound engineer David Baker beautifully recreates the space in which the recording was made, well-chosen for its "acoustics and feeling of intimacy". The surface of Taylor’s music is so sophisticated, with its closely voiced chord sonorities and its fleet, elegantly shaped right-hand lines, that at first you might miss the underlying substance"
--Thomas Conrad, Down Beat

"It is said that those who can, play; those who can’t, teach. A few…not only play and teach - they also write, arrange, lecture, and generally convey jazz (and themselves) with urbanity and class. Billy Taylor is one…it’s clear he can walk the walk AND talk the talk. There is a looseness to this session, but precision as well. "Body and Soul" (is) an impressive personal exploration of an otherwise familiar standard…may Billy Taylor the pianist continue to record in this same refined, elegant manner."
--Brad Simon, BIRD - A Jazz Monthly

**** stars "…an album that continues to illustrate just how much the jazz world needs Billy Taylor’s musical statements."
--George Fendel, Jazzscene

"Jazz’s pre-eminent spokesman, Dr. Billy Taylor is a youthful 75. His classy, swinging piano demonstrates that in Music Keeps Us Young (Arkadia). The clarity of Taylor’s playing is wondrous. A super CD for novices, it contains a helpful indexing of what happens on each tune, guiding the uninitiated or curious as to how jazzers organize what they do."
--Bart Grooms, Soundings

"…everything sounds so ingeniously new. This is a mammoth plateful of sumptuous offerings. Top-notch, Taylor once again shows why he’s long been considered one of the best in the business. (with John Coltrane’s "Naima") Taylor offers a very sensitive, poignant interpretation that truly captivates the ears. This is no simple praise. Taylor gives you more than your money’s worth."
--R.T., Rapport

"The venerable pianist, composer, educator and TV star is still at the peak of his powers at age 75. The Music Keeps Us Young title is no joke - Taylor looks to be about 50, sounds as vital as any World Series athlete and swings harder and surer than most of those sluggers. This is as good an introduction to his immense and timeless art as you’ll find. Superb liner notes by the venerable Ira Gitler puts this package over the top."
--Tom Sorowicz, Pulse of the Twin Cities

"The title of this endearing, unpretentious recording must be accurate, for veteran pianist Billy Taylor looks, acts and, most important, sounds like youth itself. The glitter of his technique, ebullience of his rhythm and high spirits of his playing on every track attest to the man’s rejuvenate powers. To this day, he remains one of the most fluid of keyboard improvisers, reeling off bebop-tinged figures from a seemingly bottomless well of ideas."
--Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

"UNBELIEVABLE! This album is absolutely fascinating. Billy Taylor’s sound is so refreshing, elegant, stimulating and truly AMAZING. Once this CD is on you will not be able to turn it off until the end. I was in a complete trance the first time I put it on and after continuous listening I am in even more awe at Billy’s incredible piano performance. This cat SWINGS! So, pick up this splendid title, sit back and relax to a dazzling performance. MAJESTIC!"
--Paul Parietti, Fascinating Voyage

"Age has not slowed Taylor's steady stream of inventive, buoyant music, nor dimmed its infectiously sunny spirit. And he retains the quick reflexes that make him a consummate group player. ...cart wheeling lines, insightful phrasing, and assured pacing.... Its good to see a genuine pioneer recording an album for jazz purists that sounds as fresh as I'm sure it sounded in the 40s and 50s."
--Kit Benge, The Pier

"The doctor is back in his office, so make an appointment to play the latest release from Dr. Billy Taylor, everyone's favorite jazz historian…. The result is some fresh, spontaneous, and foot-tapping performances… Taylor's grand chords clusters swing profusely."
--Charles Lloyd, Gavin

"His classy, swinging piano demonstrates that Music Keeps Us Young (Arkadia). The clarity of Taylor's playing is wondrous."
--Bart Grooms, Black and White

"Music Keeps Us Young on the new Arkadia Jazz label is such a treat. Reverting to the music’s blues and gospel roots, Taylor simply relaxes with standards he's played all his life ... with earthy authority. It’s a fine album."
--Jeff Bradley, Denver Post

"Billy Taylor is one of the peerless pianists and most revered spokespersons for the jazz art. His trio CD on Arkadia is titled Music Keeps Us Young. Taylor, a young 75 himself, shows us how its done...."
--George Fendel, Our Town

"Pianist Billy Taylor can play any style of jazz with near-perfection.... Technically, Taylor is a wizard."
--Al Hunter Jr, Philadelphia Daily News

Billy Taylor: Ten Fingers - One Voice $12.98 71602
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Billy Taylor Trio -Music Keeps Us Young $12.98 71601
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