The Passing of an Innovative Jazz Pianist & Poet Cecil Taylor – RIP

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    Guardian obit – Cecil Taylor was 89. (Excellent coverage)


    Cecil Taylor: a visionary pianist
    who breathed fire and life into jazz -John Fordham.

    NYtimes obit

    Cecil Taylor (March 25, 1929-2018)

    was an American pianist and poet.[1][2] Classically trained, Taylor was generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and intricate polyrhythms. His piano technique has been likened to percussion, for example described as “eighty-eight tuned drums” (referring to the number of keys on a standard piano).[3] He has also been described as “like Art Tatum with contemporary-classical leanings”

  • Rhythm is the life of space of time danced through. – Cecil Taylor.


  • (Thx to Jeff O’Connell)

  • His music meant so much to me, the dancing on the keys, the huge chordings/speeds/oceanic, then pointillist, the intensity, the uncompromising musics…

    Alan Sondheim