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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture > Video Oral History Gallery Video Gallery Cataloging Data: Arthur Taylor
Location
Schomburg-MIRS
Call #
Sc Visual VRA-186 Service copy.
Sc Visual VRB-2019 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-186.
Author
Taylor, Art, interviewee.
Title
Oral history interview with Art Taylor, 26 July 1994
[videorecording] /interviewer, Warren Smith.
Imprint
1994.
Description
1 videocassette (1 hr., 49 min.) sd., 1/2 in.
014900
Note
Title supplied; duration: 1 hr., 49 min.
Credits
Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray.
Note
Taylor performs excerpts, mainly to demonstrate drumming style.
Recorded on July 26, 1994, at the Schomburg Center for Research
in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Summary
The oral history interview with Art Taylor, jazz percussionist,
author and publisher, begins with his early years growing up in
Harlem and playing with local musicians as a teen. Arthur Taylor
was born April 6, 1929 at 145th Street and St. Nicholas Ave. to
parents of Jamaican origin, his one sister became a classical
pianist. Taylor recalls his father taking him to see Chic Webb,
Joe Jones, J. C. Herd; he was very impressed. Another memorable
event was at age 17 or 18 when Taylor went to a jam session at a
ballroom in the 60's (Lincoln Center area), this being the point
at which he decided to become a drummer. That Christmas his
mother gave him a drum set, the following January he was working
as a drummer. He had a neighborhood group that played at dances,
parties, the Audubon Ballroom which included: Sonny Rollins,
Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, Andy Kirk Jr. Taylor talks about some
popular spots at that time: Small's Paradise, Connie's Inn,
Barron's Club, Bowman's, and a place for ribs owned by Sidney
Poitier. Taylor expresses his admiration for Charlie Parker for
his intelligence and the positive regard he always had for other
musicians.
In 1950, Taylor began playing with Oscar Pettiford's trio (which
included Wynton Kelly), made his first rcording session with
Pettiford, after which they drove to Chicago to open at the Blue
Note where Duke Ellington was closing. He recalls staying in the
South Central Hotel on 63th Street with Dizzy Gillespie, John
Coltrane, Jimmy and Percy Heath, Specs Wright, and Milt Jackson;
an experience he treasured. After one year with Pettiford,
Taylor joined Coleman Hawkins (with Kenny Drew, Sweets Edison,
Tommy Potter). Taylor's big break came when he was recommended
by Max Roach to Bud Powell; while playing with Powell, they
would perform an average of 16 weeks a year in Berlin, and also
opened for big names such as Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington,
Count Basie. His affiliation with Powell helped Taylor to get
more work with other musicians. Taylor then elaborates upon a
recording session and concert, Thelonius Monk Orchestra at
Town Hall, and how it was the most difficult session work he
ever did; all arrangements were by Hall Overton.
Taylor made numerous recordings with Jackie McLean, Red Garland,
John Coltrane and describes what he liked about recording at that
time when sessions were held with the band together in the studio,
compared to the recording scene today which he says is lacking.
Taylor recalls learning alot from working with Miles Davis and
Kenny Durham, and explains that he had become only interested in
playing with the very best musicians.
Taylor's greatest challenge was playing with Charlie Parker.
Parker advised Taylor to learn the lyrics to all the standard
songs; he said being able to sing along with them in time would
help him as a drummer. Taylor tells how Philly Joe Jones
tutored him an entire day with piano and drums at Minton's
Playhouse which helped him tremendously. Miles' advice:
don't hold back, clean up later. Taylor recalls an incident
in which he played the sock cymbal too loudly and what the
consequences were. Taylor tells how Thelonius Monk knew all the
chords and changes to all the songs; Taylor knew Monk as a
youngster, they had a band together with Charlie Rouse and Sam
Jones.
Taylor explains how he came to live overseas for nearly two
decades (1963-80). Initially he went to Paris to play with
Johnny Griffin, Kenny Drew and Sonny Griffin at the Blue Note
on a 3 month contract, 7 nights a week. Three months turned
into 6 months, he then took the band as leader and stayed 6
more months. He recalls having a great time in Paris; the U.S.
was looking too grim to elicite a return, although he returned
permanently in the early 80's when his mother became ill.
Taylor studied formally for the first time for three years
while in Paris with Kenny Clarke at a school Clarke opened.
Taylor also enjoyed working with kids here but declined Clarke's
offer to become a formal teacher at the school. American drummers
and saxophone players would stop by the school when in town to
play for the students.
Taylor expresses his feelings on integration, and talks about
having lived in Liege, Belgium; Paris; the Riviera; Switzerland;
and compares Europeans with Americans. He compares universal
health coverage in Europe with the lack of equal healthcare in
the U.S. Taylor describes the U.S. as being in a state of demise
in contrast to the U.S. of his pre-Europe years. On a more
positive note Taylor says he still loves playing drums, loves
the music and has friends all over the world. He mentions his
daughter, a doctor of psychology at UCLA, as being his crowning
achievement. His opinion on music today is that it has become
too controlled and subject to economics; it is much less
sensitive. He now prefers playing and performing for students
rather than in the clubs.
Other work Taylor has gone into: modelling in Europe and the
U.S. (he appeared in Ebony magazine for TWA), writing and
publishing. He explains how his interviews with Miles Davis and
other musicians culminated in his publishing of the book Notes
and Tones; he remarks it will be soon be published in Japanese.
He concludes the interview by commenting on Louis Armstrong's
talent and image; he became interested in Armstrong while in his
30's in France (1963-64) and explains how he was too shallow in
his youth to have appreciated Armstrong then. Currently, Taylor
has intentions of publishing more interviews with various
musicians; he has done a documentary on himself that involves
various sights in Harlem and includes two days in Taylor's
apartment and two days with his band in Condon's. He is also
working on a book about drummers.
Note
Reproduction. Originally produced: New York, N.Y. :Schomburg Center
for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, 1994.
1 videocassette (MII) ; 1/2 in. VHS.
Use terms
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact
repository for information.
Biography/History
Art Taylor is a jazz drummer, author and publisher. Born
April 6, 1929 in New York City, Taylor began his career
playing with local musicians at various NYC venues and
has performed and recorded extensively in the U.S. and
in Europe where he resided 1963-1980. Taylor has also
authored and published interviews of musicians, and
modelled as well. Currently Taylor is performing in
clubs, universities, and is working on another book.
Note
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
In
Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project
Subject
Armstrong, Louis, 1900-1971 -- Influence.
Clarke, Kenny, 1914-
Coltrane, John, 1926-1967.
Davis, Miles -- Influence.
Drew, Kenny.
Garland, Red.
Griffin, Johnny.
Griffin, Sonny.
Hawkins, Coleman.
Jones, Philly Joe, -- Influence.
Jones, Sam, 1924-1981.
Kirk, Andy, Jr.
McLean, Jackie.
Monk, Thelonius, -- Influence.
Monk, Thelonius Thelonius Monk Orchestra at Town Hall.
Overton, Hall, 1920-1972.
Parker, Charlie, 1920-1955 -- Influence.
Pettiford, Oscar.
Powell, Bud.
Rouse, Charlie.
Taylor, Art -- Interviews.
Taylor, Art -- Views on music industry.
Van Gelder, Rudy.
Taylor, Art Notes and Tones.
Afro-American musicians.
Afro-American musicians -- Europe.
Afro-Americans -- Foreign countries.
Drummers (Musicians) -- United States -- Interviews.
Jazz audiences -- France.
Jazz audiences -- United States.
Jazz music -- Interviews.
Jazz musicians -- Europe.
Jazz musicians -- United States -- Interviews.
Musicians as authors.
Percussion music (Jazz).
Percussionists -- United States -- Interviews.
Harlem (New York, N.Y.) -- History.
Form/genre
Biographies.
Interviews.
Additional name
Owens, Jimmy, interviewer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong
Jazz Oral History Project.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Donor
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the
Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
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