Cecil Taylor
Cecil Percival Taylor (born in March 15, 1929, in New York City) is an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and intricate polyrhythms. His piano technique has been likened to percussion, for example described as "eighty-eight tuned drums" (referring to the number of keys on a standard piano). He has also been described as "like Art Tatum with contemporary-classical leanings".
Cecil Percival Taylor (born in March 15, 1929, in New York City) is an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and intricate polyrhythms. His piano technique has been likened to percussion, for example described as "eighty-eight tuned drums" (referring to the number of keys on a standard piano). He has also been described as "like Art Tatum with contemporary-classical leanings".
Mixed to Unit Structures Revisited
Temporary Super Offer! Cecil Taylor was quickly saddled with a reputation for being unswinging. He often danced before a recital to prove that you could indeed express the music physically. Indeed, almost the only way to appreciate this music is to dance to it, as I invariably do. It isn't a spectacle that needs to be shared with others, but in Taylor's absence can I invite you to find his remarkable essay and let it enter your head before you take the floor. Don't think about this music. Feel i…
At AngelicA 2000 Bologna
In the year 2000, when Bologna was European Capital of Culture, AngelicA Festival, then in its tenth edition, invited Cecil Taylor to hold a concert at the Teatro Comunale - Opera House of Bologna: solo, with his piano (and his dance and his poetry readings) he opened an evening that ended with a rendition of the luminous piece Coptic Light by Morton Feldman performed by the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, conducted by Jurjen Hempel.
This unusual juxtaposition (not in the history of th…
Duets 1992
Trumpeter Bill Dixon and pianist Cecil Taylor, friends going back to their Truman-era school days, associated copiously in nearly every artistic fashion -- except making music together. Duets is their only meeting in studio apart from both artists appearing on Taylor's 1966 landmark Blue Note LP, Conquistador. In 1992 they made the briefest summer festival tour to Italy and France, budgeting in two additional days for this recording session. That musical output was prepared for a release that wa…
Ailanthus/Altissima: Bilateral Dimensions of 2 Root Songs
2010 release. Deluxe collector's item issued in a limited edition of 475 (numbered). 81 minutes of duet recordings with Cecil Taylor and Tony Oxley. The pieces were selected by the musicians from ten hours recorded during their two weeks at New York's Village Vanguard in 2008. Comes in a gatefold sleeve; Accompanied by museum-grade folio, including exclusive original poetry by Cecil Taylor and paintings by Tony Oxley. Personnel: Frank Lowe - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, voice, perc…
Complete Nat Hentoff Sessions
This release presents all existing recordings made by Cecil Taylor for the legendary Candid label. Produced in 1960-61 by celebrated jazz critic Nat Hentoff, these recordings are essential to the history of modern jazz and feature such star sidemen as Archie Shepp, Clark Terry, Steve Lacy, Billy Higgins, and bassist Buell Neidlinger, who was the original leader on half of these sessions. A complete 1961 Taylor septet sessions produced by Creed Taylor, and his entire 1957 quartet performance at N…
The World Of Cecil Taylor
Exact repro reissue of Cecil Taylor's first album for the Candid label, originally released in 1960. Featuring Cecil Taylor (piano), Buell Neidlinger (bass), Dennis Charles (drums), Archie Shepp (tenor saxophone).From the opening patterns of Denis Charles' drums on the title cut, the listener knows he/she is in for something special. One can only imagine what the reaction of the average jazz fan was in 1960 when this session was recorded. This is a wonderful document from early in Taylor's ca…
Looking Ahead!
"One of Cecil Taylor's earliest recordings, Looking Ahead! (1959) does just that while still keeping several toes in the tradition. It's an amazing document of a talent fairly straining at the reins, a meteor about to burst onto the jazz scene and render it forever changed. Looking Ahead! is a vital recording from the nascence of one of the towering geniuses of modern music and belongs in any jazz fan's collection." --AllMusic
Live at the Cafe Montmartre
Jazz Advance is the debut album by pianist Cecil Taylor recorded for the Transition label on September 14, 1956. The album features performances by Taylor with Buell Neidlinger, Dennis Charles and Steve Lacy. "Though many did not understand his approach at the time, the passing years temper scathing criticism, and you can easily appreciate what he is accomplishing... With Jazz Advance, the revolution commenced, Taylor was setting the pace, and the improvised music world has never been the sam…
Jazz Advance
Jazz Advance is the debut album by pianist Cecil Taylor recorded for the Transition label on September 14, 1956. The album features performances by Taylor with Buell Neidlinger, Dennis Charles and Steve Lacy. "Though many did not understand his approach at the time, the passing years temper scathing criticism, and you can easily appreciate what he is accomplishing... With Jazz Advance, the revolution commenced, Taylor was setting the pace, and the improvised music world has never been the sam…
Solo - Duo - Poetry
Recorded live at the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, October 5, 2008, this DVD presents two musical giants: Pauline Oliveros and Cecil Taylor, each performing a solo set, plus a first-time ever duo performance. Also included is Taylor performing his own poetry as well as the EMPAC Opening Festival." Total playing time: 165 minutes. NTSC format; aspect ratio: 16:9.