“Jazz master pianist, composer, journalist and educator Billy Taylor stands alone both figuratively and literally with his Arkadia Records album, “Billy Taylor: 10 Fingers, One Voice”. Only the 2nd solo recording in his 65 year career, the Billy Taylor that emerges here is another jazz surprise – an exhilarating one!
Liberated from all constraints, Billy plays with a joy of self-discovery on swingers that is infectious… Moreover, on ballads here, he plays with a subtle, gently probing romanticism that is never sentimental and thereby is all the more penetrating. In mobile space that is all his own, he swings with more ease, liveliness, and resilience than ever before. He makes the standard songs in the set sound as if he were playing them for the first time. For this listener, the Billy Taylor that emerges here was a surprise – a daring risk-taker who has absorbed the entire jazz tradition but now breaks through as an immediately identifiable personal force.” – (quote from the liner notes by Nat Hentoff)
Now at the peak of his powers, he brings fresh, yet steeped in history of Bop, piano style to this robust collection that features both thoughtful originals and classic standards from accomplished composers such as Dizzy Gillespie, Rogers and Hart, Clifford Brown, Jon Hendricks, and Cole Porter.
His career is recognized with the utmost adoration and respect. Dr. Billy Taylor is one of only three Jazz musicians appointed to the National Council of the Arts, also working as the Artistic Director for Jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, and is also known for the artist profiles he hosted as the Arts correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning.
“…In a solo setting, Taylor reinvigorates the concept of instrumental mastery. He is just all over that piano, creating moments that are so musical, one could easily forget the technical mastery involved. …a great mix of tunes and arrangements. The arrangement of “Laura” may be the perfect link between modern solo jazz piano and the impressionist explorations of Debussy and Ravel.” – Cortland Kirkeby, The Reader
Playing with infectious joy and playfulness, Billy Taylor: 10 Fingers, One Voice showcases Taylor’s deliberate and impressive ability to swing dynamically on upbeat numbers and yet play stirringly on softer songs, conveying both his passionate melodic soul and his blissful energy – resulting in a solo piano recording with a depth that makes repeat listening an imperative.
1. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams 05:08
2. In A Sentimental Mood 05:48
3. Joy Spring 05:31
4. Laura 04:49
5. Easy Like 04:26
6. Night and Day 04:49
7. Can You Tell by Looking at Me? 04:59
8. Early Bird 03:10
9. Tea for Two 06:01
10. Solo 03:57
11. My Heart Stood Still 04:10
Billy Taylor: Solo Piano
Liner notes by: Nat Hentoff
Produced by: Bob Karcy
