David Taylor

David Taylor

David Taylor is a distinguished bass trombonist with an extensive career spanning classical, jazz, and popular music genres. He holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the Juilliard School of Music.

Early Career and Orchestral Engagements

Taylor began his professional playing career as a member of Leopold Stokowski's American Symphony Orchestra and performed with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Pierre Boulez. Simultaneously, he was an active participant in the jazz scene.

Jazz Affiliations and Notable Recordings

He was a member of the renowned Thad Jones-Mel Lewis jazz band and recorded with jazz luminaries such as Duke Ellington on "The New Orleans Suite." His versatile musicianship also led to collaborations with popular artists like The Rolling Stones and Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

Solo Work and Recitals

David Taylor has released four solo albums on labels including Koch, New World, and DMP. He has presented numerous recitals worldwide, with performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Recital Hall, Kaufman Auditorium at the 92nd Street Y, and Merkin Hall.

Soloist and Chamber Music Appearances

As a soloist, Taylor has appeared with ensembles including the Saint Luke's Chamber Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Caramoor Festival Orchestra, The New York Chamber Symphony, The Basil Sinfonietta, The Adelaide Philharmonic, and The Group for Contemporary Music.

Commissioning and Contemporary Music

A significant contributor to the repertoire for bass trombone, Taylor has been involved in dozens of commissioning projects for solo and chamber works. He has collaborated with a diverse range of composers, including Alan Hovhaness, Charles Wuorinen, George Perle, Frederic Rzewski, Lucia Dlugoszchewski, Eric Ewazen, David Liebman, and Daniel Schnyder.

Collaborations with Renowned Musicians

His chamber music recordings include collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Wynton Marsalis. Throughout his career, Taylor has also recorded and performed with a multitude of major jazz and popular artists, including Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin.

Awards and Recognition

David Taylor is a recipient of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) Most Valuable Player Award for five consecutive years, the maximum number of times it could be awarded. He also received the NARAS Most Valuable Player Virtuoso Award, an honor unique among bass trombonists.

Ensemble Memberships

His extensive ensemble experience includes memberships in the Gil Evans Band, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band, George Russell's Band, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, and the Chuck Israel Band, among others.

Grammy-Nominated Performances

While having performed on numerous Grammy Award-winning recordings, 1998 was particularly notable. In that year, Taylor performed on four Grammy-nominated CDs: "The J.J. Johnson Big Band," Dave Grusin's "West Side Story," "The Joe Henderson Big Band," and "The Randy Brecker Band." The latter two recordings received Grammy Awards.

Current Engagements and Faculty Positions

David Taylor continues to be an active performer with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Charles Mingus Big Band, Eos Orchestra, The New York Chamber Symphony, The Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, The Michelle Camillo Band, Areopagitica (a brass trio in residence at Mannes College), The Bob Mintzer Band, and the Daniel Schnyder, David Taylor, and Kenny Drew Jr. Trio. He frequently appears with Orpheus and the Saint Luke's Chamber Orchestra. He is also on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music and Mannes College.

Upcoming Projects and International Appearances

Upcoming engagements include appearances with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and Chamber Music Northwest, as well as master classes and recitals in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Taylor has also performed with the Absolute Ensemble under the direction of Kristian Järvi, a project broadcast on European television and recorded for Enja Records, as well as the Niederösterreichische Tonkünstlerorchester and the Tiroler Symphonieorchester Innsbruck.