Role

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Composer  

Period

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Modern

Genre

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Ballet

 

Billy Taylor was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator who was born on July 24, 1921, in Greenville, North Carolina. He was the son of a dentist and a schoolteacher, and his family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was five years old. Taylor began playing the piano at the age of seven and was soon performing at local events and parties. He attended Dunbar High School, where he was a member of the school's jazz band and studied classical piano with Henry Grant. After graduating from high school, Taylor attended Virginia State College, where he earned a degree in music in 1942. He then served in the U.S. Army during World War II, playing in a military band. After the war, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In New York, Taylor quickly established himself as a talented pianist and composer. He played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. He also began composing his own music, including the popular tune "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free," which became an anthem of the civil rights movement. Taylor's music was characterized by its melodic and harmonic sophistication, as well as its rhythmic complexity. He was known for his ability to blend elements of classical music with jazz, creating a unique and innovative sound. He was also a gifted educator, and he taught at several universities, including the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Massachusetts. Throughout his career, Taylor received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981 and received the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton in 1992. He also served as the artistic director for jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., from 1994 to 2010. Some of Taylor's most notable compositions include "A Bientot," "Capricious," and "Cool and Caressing." He also wrote several jazz suites, including "The Billy Taylor Trio at Town Hall," which was recorded in 1954 and featured his original compositions. Taylor continued to perform and compose music until his death on December 28, 2010, at the age of 89. He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential jazz pianists and composers of the 20th century, as well as a dedicated educator who inspired generations of musicians.

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