SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Cecil Taylor
1 of 8 Pages     Next ›

(Piano, b. 1929) Since the late 1950s, pianist Cecil Taylor has maintained a prime position in the pantheon of free jazz. He was one of the first jazzmen to jettison standard chord changes, fixed rhythms and expected ensemble roles in the interest of musical democracy. Taylor developed his unorthodox style while studying at New England Conservatory. Duke Ellington ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

Blues-rock guitarist Mick Taylor was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire in 1949. A guitarist from the age of nine, he was in his teens when he formed a group with some school friends that subsequently evolved into the Gods. Taylor made two singles with the band. When Eric Clapton failed to turn up for a Bluesbreakers gig in Welwyn Garden ...

Source: Rock Guitar Heroes, consultant editor Rusty Cutchin

(Sa-sel’ Sha-me-nad’) 1857–1944 French composer At the turn of the century, Chaminade’s tuneful songs and piano pieces were extremely popular, partly due to her tireless promotion of her own music in performances throughout Europe and the US. The best known of these works is the wistful and dramatic piano piece ‘Automne’ from her Etudes de Concert op. 35 (1886). She ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

(Guitar, vocals, 1915–75) Many guitarists might sound as though they have extra fingers, but Theodore ‘Hound Dog’ Taylor, who did not become a full-time musician until he was well past 40, actually had an extra digit on each hand. Producer Bruce Iglauer founded the Alligator label in 1971 expressly to record the guitarist’s energetic, raw ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Vocals, b. 1935) Singer Koko Taylor (née Cora Walton) earned the title ‘The Queen of Chicago Blues’ due to her no-nonsense, brazen vocal style. She writes much of her own material, songs that resonate with womanly power and assert her claim to blues royalty. Taylor grew up singing gospel in Memphis and switched to the blues after moving ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, vocals, b. 1948) Colorado’s Otis Taylor is the most inventive blues songwriter to emerge in recent decades. The Chicago native revives the genre’s role as protest music, often telling stories of lynchings, racial injustice and homelessness. His use of archaic Appalachian banjo tunings, droning progressions and digital delay creates ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

b. 1966, Italian Achieving fame at an early age with her vocal agility and warm tone, this mezzo-soprano’s studies began in Rome at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia. Bartoli is best known as a Baroque, Rossini and Mozart specialist, having collaborated with many of music’s pre-eminent early music ensembles. She remains highly sought after for her compelling ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

b. 1966 Italian mezzo-soprano Bartoli made her debut at Verona in 1987. Her most celebrated role is Rosina in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, which she has sung in Cologne, Catania, Schwetzingen, Zürich and Barcelona. Other parts include Cenerentola (Rossini), Cherubino and Dorabella (Mozart) and Haydn’s Eurydice. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1996 as Despina ...

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

(Guitar, singer-songwriter, b. 1948) Discovered by The Beatles’ Apple label, for whom he recorded his first album in 1968, Taylor moved back to America to seek a cure for heroin addiction. He signed to Warner Bros and unleashed the three-million-selling Sweet Baby James in 1970, featuring the No. 3 single ‘Fire And Rain’. Although his early ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1989) Swift is a blonde, photogenic country singer-songwriter who achieved massive crossover success in mainstream America. Her eponymous debut peaked at No. 5 in 2006, and stayed in the Billboard 200 for the rest of the decade, achieving multi-platinum status. Two years later Fearless rocketed straight to No. 1 and included her most successful international ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

Like a great river that runs endlessly, forming numerous tributary streams as it flows, jazz continues to evolve over time. And no matter how far the River Jazz may flow from its source – whether through stylistic evolution or technological innovation – the essential spirit of the music remains intact. Granted, the more academic and esoteric extrapolations of ...

Source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music, general editor Paul Du Noyer

(Tenor and soprano saxophones, b. 1937) Acid-toned saxophonist Archie Shepp was a principal figure in the second wave of free-jazz artists. Also recognized as a playwright and poet, Shepp was an articulate spokesman for Black Power. He emerged in 1960 as a member of Cecil Taylor’s group, then collaborated with trumpeter Bill Dixon, Don Cherry and John ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Drums, 1927–2004) Powerhouse drummer Elvin Jones was the engine of John Coltrane’s legendary quartet in the 1960s, appearing on most of the saxophonist’s most popular recordings. He was the younger brother of pianist Hank and trumpeter Thad Jones and had worked with Bud Powell, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and J.J. Johnson prior to joining Coltrane. A ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Various saxophones, flute, b. 1923) Sam Rivers boasts a most impressive résumé: bebop with Tadd Dameron and Dizzy Gillespie, hard bop with Miles Davis, free jazz with Cecil Taylor and Anthony Braxton, and Grammy consideration for his big band. Born in Oklahoma, Rivers played around Florida and Boston in the 1950s before settling in New ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel

(Soprano saxophone, 1934–2004) Steve Lacy began his career in Dixieland jazz, sitting in with Henry ‘Red’ Allen, Rex Stewart and Herbie Nichols, among others, at New York’s Café Metronome. However, he quickly shifted tack and became one of the leading figures in the jazz avant-garde. Soprano saxophone is now widely played, but Lacy concentrated ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues, founding editor Howard Mandel
1 of 8 Pages     Next ›

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.