LISTEN TO THE BEST CECIL TAYLOR SONGS IN STREAMING

Cecil Percival Taylor (born New York City, 15 March 1929) is an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz.
Cecil Taylor: A Pioneer in Free Jazz
Cecil Taylor was an American jazz pianist and poet, revered for his contributions to the free jazz movement. He revolutionized the jazz world with his unorthodox playing style, incorporating avant-garde elements into his music. In this blog, we will delve into Cecil Taylor’s musical biography, his best songs, his music genre, his famous concerts and an insight into some of his critics.
Cecil Taylor was born on March 25, 1929 in New York City. He grew up in a musically inclined family where his mother was a dancer and his father a jazz-loving physician. Taylor began playing the piano at a young age and started performing in nightclubs before the age of 20. He studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and later became a teacher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching music theory and composition.
Taylor’s style of playing was avant-garde, incorporating elements of classical music, African rhythms, and improvisation. He believed in the concept of unit structures where the members of his band were not limited to playing specific roles, but were free to express themselves in any way they chose. His most notable albums include Unit Structures and Conquistador.
Free jazz originated in the late 1950s and early 60s and Taylor was a pioneer in the genre. He was known for his intense musical improvisations that often challenged the listener’s idea of what jazz could be. His free-form music was unique and often chaotic, but it was his intricate rhythms and creative melodies that set him apart from other pianists of his time.
One of the most famous concerts of Cecil Taylor’s career took place in 1966 at the Town Hall in New York City. It was a three-day event that featured Cecil Taylor and his band performing Unit Structures. The concert was praised for its innovative music and brought Taylor to the forefront of the free jazz movement.
A critic once described Cecil Taylor’s music as dangerous and frightening, but at the same time beautiful. Taylor’s music was not for everyone, but his fans appreciated his boldness and unconventional approach to jazz. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1973 and a MacArthur Fellowship in 1991.
Some of his best songs include Unit Structures, Conquistador, Live at the Cafe Montmartre and Nefertiti, the Beautiful One Has Come.
In conclusion, Cecil Taylor was a game-changing figure in the jazz world, known for his innovative music that pushed the boundaries of the genre. His music was not always easy to understand, but it was his boldness and creativity that made him a legend. Taylor’s influence continues to be felt in the music world today, and his contributions to free jazz will never be forgotten.