October 2024 – Over 25 years into a stellar, multi-faceted career, Paul Taylor continues pushing the sonic boundaries of what’s possible in contemporary urban jazz.

His most recent 2021 original work AND NOW THIS is both a continued collaboration with decades long friend and musical compadre Dino Esposito as well as an evolution of his approach to danceable grooves and intricate pop/electronica vibes.

Taylor and Esposito’s dynamic musical chemistry dates back to when they played in the same band as students at the University of Nevada Las Vegas – and includes Taylor touring in Esposito’s band when he was a pop star in the late 80s touring with New Kids on the Block.

Esposito has been Taylor’s chief sonic co-architect since the saxophonist’s 1995 debut On The Horn. The remarkable thing about those Taylor-Esposito collabs is that even the earliest albums they did together – Pleasure Seeker (1997), Undercover (2000), his Peak Records debut Hypnotic (2001), Nightlife (2005) – currently sound as sonically and rhythmically innovative as they did a few decades ago.

Paul Taylor has worked extensively with pianist Keiko Matsui, touring and recording together. Keiko Matsui, who is also returning to Middle C Jazz in early 2025, shares a popular presence and sensibility in contemporary urban jazz. Taylor scored #1 Billboard hits in the 2010s with “Burnin’,” “Push To Start” and “Supernova” and had his first #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart with Ladies’ Choice (2007), which was produced by Barry J. Eastmond and Rex Rideout.

During the course of his storied career, the Denver native has headlined hundreds of shows and has been part of numerous all-star tours – including dates with Peter White and Euge Groove in a lineup affectionately dubbed “Peter, Paul and Euge;” Gentleman of the Night (with Marion Meadows and Warren Hill). He has also performed with The Rippingtons and the acclaimed “Groovin’ For Grover” tour. Some of his first post-pandemic lockdown shows have been with labelmate Michael Lington and Sax to the Max with Michael and Vincent Ingala.

He has collaborated with many R&B vocalists such as LaToya London, Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, Peabo Bryson and Terry Dexter. Among Taylor’s chief musical influences in recent years have been globally popular, cutting edge DJ/producer/artists like the late Avicii, Tiesto and Regard.

The newest album AND NOW THIS includes nine inspired originals. For some artists, song titles on instrumental urban jazz releases are merely clever sounding afterthoughts. In contrast, the names of each track on AND NOW THIS represent the feeling and intention of the music. As an example, the funked out grooves and swirling sax notes in the hook on “Friday@5” evoke that moment when we clock out, and start the weekend. The amazing synth swells in ‘Seize the Day’ express the perspective we’ve all gained these past few years about the importance of living in the moment.

Officially entering his second quarter century exploring new grooves, Paul Taylor is as energized as ever to explore fresh avenues of music.

Join him at Middle C Jazz Friday, November 8th for another packed house of music and groove. TICKETS.

More about Paul Taylor at his website.