Dennis Taylor (musician)
Encyclopedia
Dennis Taylor was a Nashville
-based musician
, arranger
and author
. Taylor had recording credits on saxophone (alto, tenor and baritone) as well as clarinet, and as an arranger.
born, Taylor was best known for his recordings with Delbert McClinton
, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Michelle Shocked
, Buckwheat Zydeco
and many others, and for writing a series of instructional books through Hal Leonard Publishing, in which he discussed blues playing, jazz playing and phrasing. Taylor played on five Grammy nominated albums. He was a two-time nominee for the Nashville Music Awards, "Miscellaneous Wind Instrumentalist of the Year." He has appeared on, "Austin City Limits," "The Road," "Country Music Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration," "Texas Connection," "ABC In Concert Country," "American Music Shop," and "Music City Tonight." On April 30, 2010, Taylor appeared on the "Imus in the Morning Program" on national TV and radio. After his solo on the song, "Givin' It Up for Your Love," Taylor's playing earned the attention and praise of host Don Imus
. He was also known as a jazz educator. He also analyzed other players’ styles and offered tips for emulating and understanding work from the masters of the instrument. Some of the sax legends explained by Taylor include King Curtis
, Stanley Turrentine
and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. The final part of "Jazz Saxophone" features 17 solos over classic jazz standards (including Doxy
, Easy Living
, Maiden Voyage
and So What
) and a wide variety of forms and styles (minor blues, soul jazz
, 3/4 time, and bebop
). The theory
lessons cover all the common major scale
, minor scale
, dominant, pentatonic chords and scales plus modes, as well as altered dominant scales and diminished options. Taylor also wrote other three other instructional books: Amazing Phrasing, Blues Saxophone and Jazz Saxophone.
Taylor was also an educator, who taught at Johnson State College
in Vermont, and taught private saxophone lessons in Nashville until the time of his death. In addition, Taylor volunteer taught at W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville, which provides lessons for students who can not afford regular private lessons, for eighteen of his twenty years in Nashville. He is survived by both of his parents, as well as his wife, Nashville songwriter and publicist Karen Leipziger.
“Pinpointing all these idiosyncratic elements in other players is essential in developing your own voice,” wrote Mr. Taylor, whose own sax “voice” could vary from a sensuous growl to the kind of buzzing, bluesy howl he employed on McClinton’s “People Just Love To Talk.”
Singer/songwriter Todd Snider
said, “He was a free-spirited artist. His playing was so tasteful, and he was such a warm and good person to be around. What a loss.”
. Details on the release of the recording have not yet been released. He has appeared as a side-man on countless albums (see below for partial list).
His solo album, "Steppin' Up," features Taylor on saxophone, McKendree on a Hammond B3 organ, and three different drummers, including former Weather Report
drummer Chester Thompson
. Delbert McClinton
also makes a guest appearance on one song. The album was recorded at The Rock House in Franklin, TN, and is expected to be released in January 2011 on Kizybosh Records. The official release date is February 15, 2011, but it is currently available off of iTunes. It can be purchased through KL Productions, iTunes and CDBaby.com. The album contains fourteen tunes, ranging from Taylor's original compositions to a Beatles tune.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
-based musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
. Taylor had recording credits on saxophone (alto, tenor and baritone) as well as clarinet, and as an arranger.
Career
New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
born, Taylor was best known for his recordings with Delbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton is an American blues rock and electric blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist....
, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.-History:Shocked received her first international exposure in Europe, particularly Britain, with her debut album The Texas Campfire Tapes .Her first U.S...
, Buckwheat Zydeco
Buckwheat Zydeco
Buckwheat Zydeco is the stage name of Stanley Dural, Jr. , an American accordionist and zydeco musician. He is one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success...
and many others, and for writing a series of instructional books through Hal Leonard Publishing, in which he discussed blues playing, jazz playing and phrasing. Taylor played on five Grammy nominated albums. He was a two-time nominee for the Nashville Music Awards, "Miscellaneous Wind Instrumentalist of the Year." He has appeared on, "Austin City Limits," "The Road," "Country Music Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration," "Texas Connection," "ABC In Concert Country," "American Music Shop," and "Music City Tonight." On April 30, 2010, Taylor appeared on the "Imus in the Morning Program" on national TV and radio. After his solo on the song, "Givin' It Up for Your Love," Taylor's playing earned the attention and praise of host Don Imus
Don Imus
John Donald "Don" Imus, Jr. is an American radio host, humorist, philanthropist and writer. His nationally-syndicated talk show, Imus in the Morning, is broadcast throughout the United States by Citadel Media and relayed on television by the Fox Business Network.-Personal life:Imus was born in...
. He was also known as a jazz educator. He also analyzed other players’ styles and offered tips for emulating and understanding work from the masters of the instrument. Some of the sax legends explained by Taylor include King Curtis
King Curtis
Curtis Ousley , who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer...
, Stanley Turrentine
Stanley Turrentine
Stanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. The final part of "Jazz Saxophone" features 17 solos over classic jazz standards (including Doxy
Doxy (song)
"Doxy" is an early composition by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins. It first appeared on the 1954 Miles Davis album Bags' Groove, performed by Davis on trumpet, Rollins on tenor saxophone, Horace Silver on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. When Rollins eventually established his...
, Easy Living
Easy Living (song)
"Easy Living" is a jazz standard written by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin for the film Easy Living directed by Mitchell Leisen.The song has been recorded by many jazz performers including Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, Anita O'Day, and Miles Davis...
, Maiden Voyage
Maiden Voyage (composition)
"Maiden Voyage" is a jazz composition by Herbie Hancock from his 1965 album Maiden Voyage. It features Hancock's quartet – trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams – with additional saxophonist George Coleman...
and So What
So What (composition)
"So What" is the first track on the 1959 Miles Davis album Kind of Blue.-History:"So What" is one of the best known examples of modal jazz, set in the Dorian mode and consisting of 16 bars of D Dorian, followed by eight bars of E Dorian and another eight of D Dorian...
) and a wide variety of forms and styles (minor blues, soul jazz
Soul jazz
Soul jazz is a development of jazz incorporating strong influences from blues, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues in music for small groups, often an organ trio featuring a Hammond organ.- Overview :Soul jazz is often associated with hard bop. Mark C...
, 3/4 time, and bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
). The theory
Theory
The English word theory was derived from a technical term in Ancient Greek philosophy. The word theoria, , meant "a looking at, viewing, beholding", and referring to contemplation or speculation, as opposed to action...
lessons cover all the common major scale
Major scale
In music theory, the major scale or Ionian scale is one of the diatonic scales. It is made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first an octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, ", the "Do" in the parenthesis at...
, minor scale
Minor scale
A minor scale in Western music theory includes any scale that contains, in its tonic triad, at least three essential scale degrees: 1) the tonic , 2) a minor-third, or an interval of a minor third above the tonic, and 3) a perfect-fifth, or an interval of a perfect fifth above the tonic, altogether...
, dominant, pentatonic chords and scales plus modes, as well as altered dominant scales and diminished options. Taylor also wrote other three other instructional books: Amazing Phrasing, Blues Saxophone and Jazz Saxophone.
Taylor was also an educator, who taught at Johnson State College
Johnson State College
Johnson State College is a small public liberal arts college, founded in 1828 by John Chesamore at Johnson in the U.S. state of Vermont. Johnson's president is Barbara E. Murphy and its board chair is Gary M. Moore.- History and governance :...
in Vermont, and taught private saxophone lessons in Nashville until the time of his death. In addition, Taylor volunteer taught at W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville, which provides lessons for students who can not afford regular private lessons, for eighteen of his twenty years in Nashville. He is survived by both of his parents, as well as his wife, Nashville songwriter and publicist Karen Leipziger.
“Pinpointing all these idiosyncratic elements in other players is essential in developing your own voice,” wrote Mr. Taylor, whose own sax “voice” could vary from a sensuous growl to the kind of buzzing, bluesy howl he employed on McClinton’s “People Just Love To Talk.”
Critical book review
“(In the book Amazing Phrasing) Photos and biographical information are included for each artist along with a demonstration cd recording of Dennis Taylor’s written solo. The solos are intended to closely shadow what the original artist would have played. It is obvious that Mr. Taylor has made an exhaustive effort in demonstrating all these many varied styles.” – Skip SprattPlaying style
“Dennis had an old-school kind of tone that I don’t hear in anyone else’s playing anymore. He knew how to make it sing, and he had a great sensibility for what was supposed to happen. He knew what to play, and he knew what not to play.” – Kevin McKendreeSinger/songwriter Todd Snider
Todd Snider
Todd Daniel Snider is an American singer-songwriter with a musical style that combines Americana, alt-country, and folk.-Biography:...
said, “He was a free-spirited artist. His playing was so tasteful, and he was such a warm and good person to be around. What a loss.”
Discography
Mr. Taylor's first solo recording, which received help from Kevin McKendree, also of McClinton’s band, was completed shortly before his death. The recording featured saxophone, organ and drums, some of Taylor's original compositions, and also a guest appearance by Delbert McClintonDelbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton is an American blues rock and electric blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist....
. Details on the release of the recording have not yet been released. He has appeared as a side-man on countless albums (see below for partial list).
His solo album, "Steppin' Up," features Taylor on saxophone, McKendree on a Hammond B3 organ, and three different drummers, including former Weather Report
Weather Report
Weather Report was an American jazz-rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s. The band was co-led by the Austrian-born keyboard player Joe Zawinul and the American saxophonist Wayne Shorter...
drummer Chester Thompson
Chester Thompson
Chester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
. Delbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton
Delbert McClinton is an American blues rock and electric blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist....
also makes a guest appearance on one song. The album was recorded at The Rock House in Franklin, TN, and is expected to be released in January 2011 on Kizybosh Records. The official release date is February 15, 2011, but it is currently available off of iTunes. It can be purchased through KL Productions, iTunes and CDBaby.com. The album contains fourteen tunes, ranging from Taylor's original compositions to a Beatles tune.
Published works
- Hal Leonard Tenor Saxophone Method Jazz Saxophone: Tenor (Hal Leonard Corp.) - ISBN 978-1-4234-2634-9
- Jazz Saxophone (Hal Leonard Corp.) - ISBN 0634058495, ISBN 978-0634058493
- Blues Saxophone (Hal Leonard Corp.) - ISBN 0634026208, ISBN 978-0634026201
- Amazing Phrasing (Hal Leonard Corp.) - ISBN 0634035401, ISBN 978-0634035401
Session work (partial list)
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - "Real Life (Live)" CD - 1987 (Horn Arrangements, Tenor Saxophone)
- Buckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat Zydeco is the stage name of Stanley Dural, Jr. , an American accordionist and zydeco musician. He is one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success...
- "Taking It Home" - 1988 (Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone) - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - "Standing My Ground" - 1989 (Tenor Saxophone)
- Buckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat Zydeco is the stage name of Stanley Dural, Jr. , an American accordionist and zydeco musician. He is one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success...
- "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" - 1990 (Tenor Saxophone) - Various Artists - "Best of Mountain State Live Vol. 1" - 1991 (Saxophone)
- Michelle ShockedMichelle ShockedMichelle Shocked is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.-History:Shocked received her first international exposure in Europe, particularly Britain, with her debut album The Texas Campfire Tapes .Her first U.S...
- "Arkansas Traveller" - 1991 (Tenor Saxophone) - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - "No Looking Back" - 1992 (Tenor Saxophone)
- Buckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat ZydecoBuckwheat Zydeco is the stage name of Stanley Dural, Jr. , an American accordionist and zydeco musician. He is one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success...
- "Menagerie: The Essential ZydecoZydecoZydeco is a form of uniquely American roots or folk music. It evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century from forms of "la la" Creole music...
Collection", Mango - 1993 Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, Inc. - Big Mike Griffin - "Give Me What I Got Comin'" - 1993 (Tenor Saxophone)
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - "Timeless", HighTone RecordsHighTone RecordsHighTone Records was an independent record label based in Oakland, California. Hightone specialized in American roots music including, country, rockabilly, western swing, blues and gospel. The label was created by Larry Sloven and Bruce Bromberg in 1983...
8174, 2004 - Earl GainesEarl GainesEarl Gaines was an American soul blues and electric blues singer. Born in Decatur, Alabama, he sang lead vocals on the hit single "It's Love Baby ", accredited to Louis Brooks and his Hi-Toppers, before undertaking a low-key solo career...
- "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", CD - 1998 - "Big Blues Extravaganza! The Best Of Austin City Limits" - Sony Music Entertainment 489928 2 - CD - 1998
- Roscoe SheltonRoscoe SheltonRoscoe Shelton was an American electric blues and R&B singer. He is best remembered for his 1965 hit single, "Strain on My Heart," and his working relationships with both The Fairfield Four and Bobby Hebb. Other notable recordings include "Think It Over" and "Baby Look What You're Doin' To Me"...
- "Let's Work Together" (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone) - Eddy ClearwaterEddy ClearwaterEddy "The Chief" Clearwater is the stage name of Edward Harrington ,) an American Chicago blues musician. Blues Revue said Eddy plays “joyous rave-ups…he testifies with stunning soul fervor and powerful guitar. One of the blues’ finest songwriters.” -Early life:He was born in Macon, Mississippi,...
- "Reservation Blues" - 2000 (Tenor Saxophone, Soloist) - Clifford CurryClifford CurryClifford Curry is an American beach music and R&B singer.His career began in high school. He was the member of several groups including: The Echoes, The Five Pennies , Hollyhocks , and the Bubba Suggs Band...
- "She Shot a Hole in My Soul Again!" - 2001 (Tenor Saxophone) - Eddy ClearwaterEddy ClearwaterEddy "The Chief" Clearwater is the stage name of Edward Harrington ,) an American Chicago blues musician. Blues Revue said Eddy plays “joyous rave-ups…he testifies with stunning soul fervor and powerful guitar. One of the blues’ finest songwriters.” -Early life:He was born in Macon, Mississippi,...
- "Rock 'n Roll City" - 2003 (Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone) - Various Artists - "Box of the Blues" - 2003 (Tenor Saxophone)
- Robert Gordon - "Satisfied Mind" - 2004 (Saxophone)
- Hacienda Brothers - "Hacienda Brothers" - 2005 (Guest Appearance, Saxophone)
- Webb WilderWebb WilderThere are Roots-Rockers, and then there's Webb Wilder.Hardly a purist, he has described the music he and his band, The Beatnecks, make as, "Rock for Roots fans and Roots for Rock fans." In essence: Rock and Roll. There’s nothing new about combining R & B, Rock and Roll, Country, Blues, Pop and Rock...
- "About Time" - 2005 (Saxophone) - Al Garner - "Get Out Blues" - 2007 (Saxophone)
- Eddy ClearwaterEddy ClearwaterEddy "The Chief" Clearwater is the stage name of Edward Harrington ,) an American Chicago blues musician. Blues Revue said Eddy plays “joyous rave-ups…he testifies with stunning soul fervor and powerful guitar. One of the blues’ finest songwriters.” -Early life:He was born in Macon, Mississippi,...
- "West Side Strut" - 2008 (Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone) - Mike Farris - "Shout! Live" - 2009 (Clarinet, Saxophone)
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - "Essential Recordings: Flippin' Out" - 2009 (Tenor Saxophone)
- Delbert McClintonDelbert McClintonDelbert McClinton is an American blues rock and electric blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist....
- "Acquired Taste" - 2009 (Tenor Saxophone) - Murali Croyell - "Sugar Lips" - 2009 (Saxophone)
- Mark Robinson - "Quit Your Day Job - Play Guitar" - 2010
- Duke RobillardDuke RobillardMichael John "Duke" Robillard is an American blues musician.After playing in various bands and working for the Guild Guitar Company, he co-founded the band Roomful of Blues with pianist Al Copley in 1967. He has also been a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds which included Kim Wilson, replacing...
- "New Blues For Modern Man", Shanachie RecordsShanachie RecordsShanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
- Shanachie 9017 - Dennis TaylorDennis TaylorDennis Taylor is a retired snooker player, and current BBC snooker commentator. Winner of two ranking events, he is best known for winning the 1985 World Championship, beating World number one Steve Davis on the final black in one of the sport's most memorable finals...
- "Steppin' Up", Kizybosh Records (Saxophone, Co-Producer, Composer) - 2011 - Big Joe and the Dynaflows - "You Can't Keep a Big Man Down", Severn RecordsSevern RecordsSevern Records is an American independent record label that concentrates on blues music. Since its founding in 1998, Severn has issued more than 50 albums. Its motto is "Roots Music for the 21st Century".-History:...
(Saxophone) - 2011 - Earl Gaines - "You Got the Walk", (Saxophone) - 2011