Welcome, Jazz Aficionados, to a special journey into the foundational contributions of a drumming legend! Art Taylor, affectionately known as “A.T.” and “Mr. Cool,” was a “historical” impact to Jazz. Much before being celebrated for leading his own ‘Wailers from 1957 to 1960 he was already an indispensable force on the vibrant New York jazz scene of the early to mid-1950s. This was a period of explosive creativity, and the young A.T. quickly distinguished himself. His drumming was a hallmark of clean, crisp, and precise execution, delivering an impeccably swinging pulse that was both driving and sophisticated. Listen for his articulate cymbal work, his sharp, distinct snare drum technique that punctuated the rhythm without ever interfering. He wasn’t just keeping time; he was a vital spark, an intuitive accompanist renowned for his uncanny ability to support soloists powerfully, and yet without being overbearing. His characteristic “conversational” sound, with his sense of swing and crisp precision elevated every musician he played with. A.T. carved out a legacy as one of jazz’s most reliable and distinctive drummers.
In the next two hours, we’ll delve deep into these formative years, exploring Art Taylor’s remarkable contributions as a first-call sideman, laying down this unshakeable rhythmic groundwork for some of the era’s most pivotal figures, all before he stepped into the leader’s spotlight in 1957. His work as an in-demand sideman graced countless iconic recordings and you will hear many incredible examples in this, Part ONE. Prepare to hear the early genius of a drummer already shaping the sound of modern jazz with his signature finesse! All the Jazz Aficionados could always comment below. THANK YOU for listening and ENJOY:
LIST OF SONGS FROM PART ONE
1.“I Want to Be Happy” – “Amazing Bud Powell Vol. 2” – Bud Powell
2.“Minor March” – “Live at Cafe Bohemia” – George Wallington
3.“The Third” – “2 Trumpets” – Art Farmer and Donald Byrd
4. Not Really the Blues” –Jammin’ With Gene – Jean Ammons
5. Nostalgia” – “Introducing Lee Morgan” – Lee Morgan
6.“Cleo’s Chant” – “Presenting Ernie Henry” – Ernie Henry
7. “Fosterity” – “Hope Meets Foster” – Elmo Hope & Frank Foster
8. “Kerplunk” -“Lights Out!” – Jackie McLean
9. “Vierd Blues” – “Collector’s Items” – Miles Davis
10. “Lover Man” – “Jazz By Gee” – Matthew Gee
11. “Bu-Lu” – “All Night Long” – Kenny Burrell
12. “Sentimental Journey” – “4, 5, and 6” – Jackie McLean
13. “Abstraction” – “4, 5, and 6” – Jackie McLean
14. “Our Love Is Here to Stay” – “McLean’s Scene” – Jackie McLean
Part Two: The Taylor Wailers and Historic Hard Bop Releases From 1957 to 1961 (To Be Continued..)
“Welcome back fellow Jazz Con Class Radio Listeners as I continue my tribute to Art Taylor. On Part One, I explored Art Taylor’s rapid recognition as the essential rhythmic foundation for countless jazz legends. To continue the timeline approach, I decided to begin Part Two with the period where A.T. stepped out from the shadows in the background and into the spotlight. Starting in 1957, he began leading his own celebrated group, the Art Taylor’s Wailers, as he assembled dazzling lineups and laid down hard-swinging, dynamic “Hard Bop.” He was truly the supportive engine that shaped the sound and energy of the entire session. But even as he led his own dates, his phone never stopped ringing. This era was the most significant for “Mr. Cool,” as this was his most quintessential work as a sideman, which included his monumental contributions to John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” That’s a great achievement on its own, but incredibly, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Part two will of course feature a few tunes from this iconic recording, but will also reveal other Iconic recording that are just as important to the preservation of Jazz. The music in the next two hours will literally be the start of a marathon of Art Taylor’s most iconic sessions, promising many more hours of mandatory listening for those considered themselves to be a Jazz Enthusiast and/or a Jazz Aficionado.
LIST OF SONGS from PART TWO
1. “Batland” – Taylor’s Wailers – Art Taylor
2. “Well, You Needn’t” – Taylor’s Wailers – Art Taylor
3. “Little Chico” – Taylor’s Tenors – Art Taylor
4. “Straight No Chaser” – Taylor’s Tenors – Art Taylor
5. “Move” – A.T.’s Delight – Art Taylor
6. “Blue Interlude” – A.T.’s Delight – Art Taylor
7. “High Seas” – A.T.’s Delight – Art Taylor
8. “Giant Steps” – Giant Steps – John Coltrane
9. “Cousin Mary” – Giant Steps – John Coltrane
10. “Mr. P.C.” – Giant Steps – John Coltrane
11. “Jackie-ing” – 5 by Monk by 5 – Thelonious Monk
12. “Straight No Chaser” – 5 by Monk by 5 – Thelonious Monk
13. “City Lights” – City Lights – Lee Morgan
14. “Tempo De Waltz” – City Lights – Lee Morgan
15. “You’re Mine You” – City Lights – Lee Morgan
16. “C.T.A.” – Candy – Lee Morgan
17. “Personality” – Candy– Lee Morgan
PART THREE: Historic Hard Bop Releases From 1957 to 1961 (To Be Continued..)
Welcome back, fellow Jazz Aficionados, as we continue our deep dive into the monumental achievements of drummer master Art Taylor continues! On this third installment of our tribute, we propel forward into a truly golden era for A.T. spanning 1957 to 1961. We saw Art Taylor solidify his position as a formidable bandleader in Part TWO, and we also began the unleashing of an unparalleled contribution to an astonishing number of truly iconic albums as a sideman. The overwhelming volume, and the indisputable significance of these recordings in a four years span is simply RIDICULOUS! Yes indeed, to fully understand Art Taylor’s relentless work ethics during this explosive time frame, we would need many more segments as this. This will be just the beginning of a marathon of deep dives into his most iconic sessions, promising many more hours of mandatory listening for any “sane” Jazz fan. Prepare yourself, because we’re just scratching the surface and have more to absorb, sit back and ENJOY!:
LIST OF SONGS from PART Three:
- “Don’t Explain” – Mal/2 – Mal Waldron
- “Falling in Love with Love” – Mal/2 – Mal Waldron
- “Steamin'” – After Hours – Thad Jones
- “Count One” – After Hours – Thad Jones
- “Fundamental Frequency” – Man Bites Harmonica! – Toots Thielemans
- “Blu-a-Round” – Jazz Sahib – Sahib Shihab
- “Not Guilty” – Cliff Jordan – Clifford Jordan
- “Mighty Moe and Joe” – Hank Mobley – Hank Mobley
- “Double Exposure” – Hank Mobley – Hank Mobley
- “Don’t Get Too Hip” – Curtain Call – Hank Mobley
- “Curtain Call” – Curtain Call – Hank Mobley
- “Blue Friday” – Quiet Kenny – Kenny Dorham
- “Blue Spring Shuffle” – Quiet Kenny – Kenny Dorham
PART FOUR: Historic Hard Bop Releases From 1957 to 1961 (Donald Byrd, Wilber Harden, John Coltrane, Gigi Gryce and MUCH MORE
Welcome back, Jazz Con Class Radio listeners, as we continue our immersive journey into the monumental legacy of Art Taylor and all his co-conspirators! This segment is basically a direct continuation of my Part Three deep dive, where I’m thoroughly exploring the prolific years spanning from 1957 to 1961. My commitment to you is to cover as much as humanly possible of the stellar recordings A.T. was a part of during this timeline. I hope I leave some kind of mark and/or direction to further guide and continue on this comprehensive exploration until I am truly satisfied that we’ve done justice to this era, before finally moving beyond into 1962.
1. “Move It” – Wailing with Lou – Lou Donaldson
2. “Caravan” – Wailing with Lou – Lou Donaldson
3. “X-Tacy” – Jazz Lab – Donald Byrd & Gigi Gryce
4. “Blue Concept” – Jazz Lab – Donald Byrd & Gigi Gryce
5. “Sudwest Funk” – Off to the Races – Donald Byrd
6. “Paul’s Pal” – Off to the Races – Donald Byrd
7. “Bronze Dance” – Byrd in Hand – Donald Byrd
8. “Clarion Calls” – Byrd in Hand – Donald Byrd
9. “Dial Africa” – Jazz Way Out – Wilbur Harden/John Coltrane
10. “Gold Coast” – Jazz Way Out – Wilbur Harden/John Coltrane
11.”Tanganyika Strut” – Tanganyika Strut – Wilbur Harden/John Coltrane
12.”Once in a While” – Tanganyika Strut – Wilbur Harden/John Coltrane
13. “Good Bait” – Soultrane – John Coltrane
14. “Russian Lullaby” – Soultrane – John Coltrane
PART FIVE: MORE HISTORIC HARD BOP RELEASES (SOLELY 1960 AND 1961)
Welcome back, Jazz Con Class Radio listeners, as we continue our immersive journey into the monumental legacy of Art Taylor! This is Part Five of our comprehensive study, where we’ll be meticulously exploring the incredibly prolific years of 1960 and 1961. I’m committing myself to cover as much as humanly possible of the stellar recordings A.T. partook during this pivotal timeline. This segment and the following would probably complete this exploration into the vital 1957-1961 era. I’ll leave no stone unturned before finally moving into 1962, a year that marks the beginning of a new chapter in Art Taylor’s remarkable musical journey. Stay tuned!
1.”Let’s Face the Music and Dance” – Swing, Swang, Swingin’ – Jackie McLean
2.”I Love You” – Swing, Swang, Swingin’ – Jackie McLean
3.”Just For Now” – Capuchin Swing – Jackie McLean
4.”Condition Blue” – Capuchin Swing – Jackie McLean
5.”Appointment In Ghana” – Jackie’s Bag – Jackie McLean
6.”Isle of Java” – Jackie’s Bag – Jackie McLean
7.”204″ – Takin’ Care of Business – Charlie Rouse
8.”Pretty Strange” – Takin’ Care of Business – Charlie Rouse
9.”Chi-Chi” – Spiritsville – Julian Priester
10.”Excursion” – Spiritsville – Julian Priester
11.”Summertime” – Hornful of Soul – Bennie Green
12.”Dibblin and Dabblin” – Hornful of Soul – Bennie Green
13.”Catwalk” – Hornful of Soul – Bennie Green
14.”Loodle-Lot” – Davis Cup – Walter Davis Jr.
15.”Rhumba Nhumba” – Davis Cup – Walter Davis Jr.
16.”Geo’s Tune” – Looking Ahead – Ken McIntyre
17.”Dianna” – Looking Ahead – Ken McIntyre
18.”Jams and Jellies” – Meet Oliver Nelson – Oliver Nelson
19.”Ostinato” – Meet Oliver Nelson – Oliver Nelson
PART SIX: HARD BOP RELEASES (Final of 1960 AND 1961)
“Welcome back, Jazz Con Class Radio listeners! We’ve made it through Part Five and are now tuning into Part Six of our extensive musical tribute to drummer Art Taylor. This segment will be concluding our study of his incredible recording output in the States, as we meticulously explore all of his stellar contributions from the years 1960 and 1961. This marathon exploration will allow us to fully document this final stretch of AT’s prolific work before he voyaged across the Atlantic. To be sure you are totally satisfied with my coverage, I will also include a couple of ‘Left-Overs’ segment(s) add the very end, just in case we missed anything. I think at this point I should remind you not to hesitate to comment below and “remind me” of any recordings I missed. Once this segment is complete, I will transition onward to the next chapter, Part Seven, as we follow Art Taylor on his momentous move to Europe in 1962.”
1. “Flight To Jordan” – Flight to Jordan – Duke Jordan
2. “Squawkin’” – Flight to Jordan – Duke Jordan
3. “More Than You Know” – ZT’s Blues – Stanley Turrentine
4. “Be My Love” – ZT’s Blues – Stanley Turrentine
5. “Good Old Soul” – True Blue – Tina Brooks
6. “Theme for Doris” – True Blue – Tina Brooks
7. “No Two People” – Inta Somethin’ – Kenny Dorham
8. “Lover Man” – Inta Somethin’ – Kenny Dorham
9. “Una Mas” – Inta Somethin’ – Kenny Dorham
10. “The Breeze and I” – Up Tight! – Gene Ammons
11. “I Sold My Heart To The Junkman” – Up Tight! – Gene Ammons
12. “Moonglow” – Up Tight! – Gene Ammons
13. “Like Someone in Love” – Lush Life – John Coltrane
14. “I Love You” – Lush Life – John Coltrane
15. “Trane’s Slo Mo” – Lush Life – John Coltrane
16. “Traneing In” – Traneing In – John Coltrane
17. “Slow Dance” – Traneing In – John Coltrane
18. “Jazz Vendor” – Les Liaisons Dangereuses – Duke Jordan
PART SEVEN: The EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE (1963 to 1980)
“Welcome back to Part Seven of this detailed musical tribute to Art Taylor here on Jazz Con Class Radio. We now arrive at Part Seven, a pivotal point in the story of one of hard bop’s greatest drummers. I named it “The European Experience.” In 1963, Art Taylor joined a wave of American jazz giants and relocated across the Atlantic, spending nearly two decades primarily in Paris and Brussels. Many were seeking new opportunities and many for a different lifestyle. By no means, was this any sort of retirement. it was a new beginning. He became the rhythm maker for a vibrant expatriate community, recording defining albums with fellow exiles like Dexter Gordon and Johnny Griffin.
1. “Body And Soul” – In Copenhagen – Johnny Griffin & Art Taylor
2. “A Night In Tunisia” – In Copenhagen – Johnny Griffin & Art Taylor
3. “Medley: I Can’t Get Started / Three Little Words / St. Thomas” – Paris 1965 / Copenhagen 1968 – Sonny Rollins
4. “Coppin’ The Haven” – One Flight Up – Dexter Gordon
5. “Darn That Dream” – One Flight Up – Dexter Gordon
6. “You’ve Changed” – The Squirrel – Dexter Gordon
7. “Billie’s Bounce” – Satin Doll – Dexter Gordon
8. “Blues Enough” – Spanish Steps (Blues For Bud) – Hampton Hawes
9. “Dangerous” – Spanish Steps (Blues For Bud) – Hampton Hawes
10. “With This My Love” – Jazz Concert In A Benedictine Monastery – Nathan Davis
11. “Frogg’ In” – Jazz Concert In A Benedictine Monastery – Nathan Davis
PART EIGHT: FINALIZING THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE AND OTHER STUFF
“Welcome back to Part Eight of this Musical Tribute to Art Taylor here on Jazz Con Class Radio. We have arrived at Part Eight and the actual conclusion to the European experience, with performances that began in Part Seven, in case you were not aware. As I explained before Art Taylor chose to relocate to Paris and Brussels in 1963 and recorded several albums throughout all of Europe until 1980 when he decided to return to America. You will hear quite a bit of “live” stuff in this segment and where you can further appreciate the high talent level of all these extraordinary Jazz musicians. Keep tuned into Jazz Con Class Radio and check the Program Schedule, so you could catch it On The Air before I permanently drop it here in it’s final resting place!
1. “A Night In Tunisia”-Unpretentious Delights-Johnny Griffin
2. “All The Things You Are”-Unpretentious Delights-Johnny Griffin
3. “Autumn Leaves”-Jazz Na Koncertnom Podiju Vol. 3-Johnny Griffin
4.”Hush-A-Bye”-Live in Cologne 1973-Johnny Griffin
5. “I See Your Face Before Me”-Settin’ the Pace-John Coltrane
6. “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes”-Silver’s Blue-Horace Silver
7. “Vacker Flika”-Rolf Ericson And His All American Stars-Rolf Ericson
8. “Easy Living”-Alto Madness-Jackie McLean
9. “Two-Bass Hit”-Parisian Thoroughfare-Donald Byrd
