|
Dr. Billy Taylors Rings The Opening Bell at NY Stock Exchange
Tomorrow morning, May 21 in conjunction with a Carnegie Hall concert of Steinway artists Billy will appear at the New York Stock Exchange and ring the opening bell. In addition to his piano playing Taylor MC'd the Carnegie event.
Dr. Taylor, who is recovering from what is considered to have been a mild stroke, has been eagerly awaiting this moment. He has been practicing to build up his dexterity by playing selected concerts and "sitting-in" with the likes of Clark Terry and most recently in duet with Marian McPartland at Birdland to celebrate her 85th birthday. "I feel strong," states the Emmy-winning pianist. "Therešs a big difference between practicing alone and playing before an audience," Taylor said referring to the Blue Note dates. "The ambience makes all the difference. It builds confidence."
Equally at home on television (he is in his 21st season as a cultural commentator on CBS News "Sunday Morning") and radio as he is at the piano, Billy has been busy building to his upcoming Blue Note appearance. He was in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center for the Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival which he founded. A week later he was awarded an honorary doctorate from George Washington University, his 21st such honor. He earned his Doctorate at University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In between, on May 4 Billy managed to give the commencement address at the University of Michigan-Flint where he received an Honorary Doctorate.
His record label, Soundpost, has already released two CDs and they are culling personal archival material of small groups and orchestra sessions for future release. Featured among them are works by and featuring Billy with the Julliard String Quartet as well as several compositions for large orchestra in concerto grosso format.
Last month a street was named for him in his hometown, Greenville, NC., during a visit which included a concert at East Carolina University featuring Terrell Stafford and the East Carolina University Jazz Ensemble. Down Beat magazine in conjunction with the Ellington Family Foundation and the Smithsonian Institute made available a lost Ellington work titled "C Jam Blues." City officials also joined Taylor, musicians and university officials on stage to present Taylor the key to the city. The annual event has also been renamed the Billy Taylor Jazz Festival.
His Jazz In July summer educational program returns for its 22nd year at the University of Massachusetts. Taylor will be on hand for workshops and a finale concert featuring Sheila Jordan, John Blake and Slide Hampton. His 82nd Birthday on July 24 is celebrated annually at William Paterson College in New Jersey with a concert planned on July 25.
Billy Taylor and his long standing trio will make their triumphant return to public performance Tuesday through Sunday June 24-29 at New Yorkšs famous jazz club the Blue Note, 131 West 3rd St. His very special guest is trumpeter Jon Faddis. The Billy Taylor Trio is Chip Jackson, bass, and Winard Harper, drums.
|
Linear Mode
