Billy Taylor, R.I.P.

Billy Taylor could play the piano better than most and he could talk about jazz better tha anybody. He could show one in a few musical words what jazz means, letting the music speak.

What does jazz mean? To me it is spirit music, heart music, soul music. It is feelings expressed in music. Jazz is feelings reaching out at you and calling a response from you. Billy Taylor's music could call out and get one to respond.

Billy Taylor, jazzman, pianist, composer, educator, broadcaster, promoter died Tuesday of a heart attack in Manhattan. He was 89.

Billy Taylor was a major figure in the world of jazz. He played with jazz greats, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, He was an orchestra leader, the leader of his own popular trio, the composers of over three hundred songs, and the promoter-in-chief of jazz, an American art form, and the major contribution of America to world culture.

From the Associated Press -- "For Billy Taylor, jazz was a central musical form for telling the story of America. Billy Taylor said, 'If you really listen to (jazz), study (jazz), everything you need to know about America is right there, and it's up to us who've experienced much of that to be able to share that.'"

Billy Taylor was a booster for jazz, holding free outdoor concert, hosting a popular jazz show on National Public Radio from 1977 to 1982. Yes, I was a listener. Billy Taylor promoted the work and the genius of other great jazz players, profiling them on; the CBS' Sunday Morning show. Yes, I watched and listened to the Billy Taylor segments on the jazz greats.

Billy Taylor, R.I.P.

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