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Paul Taylor: Tenacity
by Jeff Winbush
Paul Taylor is an innovative, inquisitive saxophonist who is constantly pushing the creative envelope of both his instrument and the audience's expectations...no, wait...that's somebody else. Paul Taylor is a cutting edge player who is always surprising in his restless and innovative musical explorations...nope, that's not right. Paul Taylor is a musical chameleon constantly changing his style and approach over the years...nah, that's not it either... Paul Taylor is a solid performer whom while not a particularly distinctive artist, ...
read morePaul Taylor: Creating a Signature
by Woodrow Wilkins
One of the knocks on smooth jazz has been that it's too commercial. Being commercial isn't necessarily a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with creating a product with the primary objective being to appeal to as many potential customers as possible. However, when it comes to music, too often the drive for sales, radio play and that elusive hit single" leads to a bland product. Like food in a school cafeteria, it's sustenance without seasoning.With Burnin' (Peak, 2009), ...
read morePaul Taylor: Burnin'
by Woodrow Wilkins
It's refreshing when a contemporary artists steps outside the box and revisits an old style of music. Even more so when it's not simply a collection of covers. Paul Taylor scores with Burnin'. A native of Denver and a musical product of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Taylor began developing his saxophone skills at age seven, growing into a garage band that played funk, Top 40 and fusion. As a professional, he's carved a niche as a solo ...
read morePaul Taylor: Ladies' Choice
by Woodrow Wilkins
There's a perception that smooth jazz is background music--a sound intended to be played at low volumes for work spaces. As one would expect of any competent musician, Paul Taylor defies that logic with Ladies' Choice. The saxophonist presents eleven upbeat tunes that, while fresh, are reminiscent of a time when danceable romantic tunes were the norm at nightclubs. Taylor began playing the sax at age seven. His early efforts included a high school garage band--Mixed Company, which ...
read morePaul Taylor: Ladies
by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
Saxophonist Paul Taylor became interested in music at the age of seven, but it was not until he joined a local high school band that he decided to make it a career. He is perhaps best known for his signature smooth jazz vibe and instantly recognizable sound. There is a common thread of romance on all of his songs that enraptures the listener. A fixture in the smooth jazz community, he has recorded with many artists including pianist Keiko Matsui, ...
read morePaul Taylor: Nightlife
by Woodrow Wilkins
It's easy to pigeonhole Paul Taylor into the class of sax-playing bandleaders that graduated from the Kenny G school of instrumental pop--capitalizing on the melodic soprano sax craze that has prevailed over the last two decades, in terms of radio play and record sales. Perhaps too easy.Taylor has recorded a number of melodic, soprano sax-led songs over the years, including several with the Rippingtons. However, to presume this is all the man is about would be grossly unfair. ...
read morePaul Taylor: Hypnotic
by Dave Hughes
Smoooooth soprano saxophonist Paul Taylor's fourth CD, Hypnotic (his first on Russ Freeman's Peak label), pretty much nails the smooth jazz genre smack-dab in the center. His pleasing soprano, often overdubbed with harmonies, weaves sensual, pleasant melodies and lyrical solos on top of layers of programmed keyboard and drum soundscapes. He works with several different producer/programmer/all other instruments collaborators: former employer Jeff Lorber (five tunes), and Dino Esposito, Kurt Jackson, and Oji Pierce (two tunes apiece). Despite the different producers, ...
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