Cecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor

avant-garde music, jazz

United States

About

Sound in a sentence: "A dense tapestry of intricate rhythms and shifting textures creates an immersive space where chaos meets clarity, demanding both attention and introspection."
Cecil Taylor matters as a pivotal force in the avant-garde jazz landscape, reshaping the very fabric of improvisation and performance. His fearless approach to music-making has inspired countless musicians to embrace radical expression and challenge conventional frameworks, opening up new sonic territories that continue to resonate within contemporary music scenes.
Cecil Taylor matters as a pivotal force in the avant-garde jazz landscape, reshaping the very fabric of improvisation and performance. His fearless approach to music-making has inspired countless musicians to embrace radical expression and challenge conventional frameworks, opening up new sonic territories that continue to resonate within contemporary music scenes. Taylor's process is rooted in his intense physicality and emotional depth, transforming the piano into an extension of his body and spirit. He often engaged with the instrument through a percussive style that emphasizes complex rhythms and tonal dissonance, creating an environment where chaos and structure coexist. This innovative technique invites listeners into a dynamic experience, where every performance feels like an uncharted exploration of sound. Common themes in Taylor's work revolve around the interplay of freedom and restraint, often reflecting deep existential inquiries through impressionistic storytelling. His voice oscillates between fiery intensity and contemplative stillness, crafting narratives that evoke a range of emotions while embracing ambiguity. The tone shifts from sincere to ironic, allowing for a multifaceted dialogue that resonates on both intellectual and visceral levels.

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Discography

74 releases 74 studio 1959–2022
Type: |

Albums ()

The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert at The Town Hall NYC November 4, 1973

The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert at The Town Hall NYC November 4, 1973

2022

Music from Two Continents – Live at Jazz Jamboree '84

Music from Two Continents – Live at Jazz Jamboree '84

2021

Mixed to Unit Structures Revisited

Mixed to Unit Structures Revisited

2021

At Angelica 2000 Bologna

At Angelica 2000 Bologna

2020

Poschiavo

Poschiavo

2018

Corona

Corona

2018

The Last Dance

The Last Dance

2009

Algonquin

Algonquin

2004

Almeda

Almeda

2004

Incarnation

Incarnation

2004

All the Notes

All the Notes

2004

The Light of Corona

The Light of Corona

2003

Nailed

Nailed

2000

Melancholy

Melancholy

1999

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

1998

Amewa

Amewa

1995

Iwontunwonsi

Iwontunwonsi

1995

In Florescence

In Florescence

1990

Air

Air

1990

Leaf Palm Hand

Leaf Palm Hand

1989

Cell Walk for Celeste

Cell Walk for Celeste

1988

Chinampas

Chinampas

1988

Jumpin' Punkins

Jumpin' Punkins

1987

Winged Serpent

Winged Serpent

1985

Embraced

Embraced

1978

Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within)

Air Above Mountains (Buildings Within)

1978

Live in the Black Forest

Live in the Black Forest

1978

Cecil Taylor Unit

Cecil Taylor Unit

1978

3 Phasis

3 Phasis

1978

Solo

Solo

1973

New York City R&B

New York City R&B

1972

Alms/Tiergarten

Alms/Tiergarten

Live in Vienna

Live in Vienna

Legba Crossing

Legba Crossing

Double Holy House

Double Holy House

Spots, Circles, and Fantasy

Spots, Circles, and Fantasy

Erzulie Maketh Scent

Erzulie Maketh Scent

Dark to Themselves

Dark to Themselves

Regalia

Regalia

In East Berlin

In East Berlin

Tzotzil/Mummers/Tzotzil

Tzotzil/Mummers/Tzotzil

Looking (Berlin Version) Corona

Looking (Berlin Version) Corona

Remembrance

Remembrance

The Hearth

The Hearth

One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye

One Too Many Salty Swift and Not Goodbye

Riobec

Riobec

The Great Concert of Cecil Taylor

The Great Concert of Cecil Taylor

It Is in the Brewing Luminous

It Is in the Brewing Luminous

Student Studies

Student Studies

Indent

Indent

Olu Iwa

Olu Iwa

Spring of Two Blue J's

Spring of Two Blue J's

Silent Tongues

Silent Tongues

Looking (Berlin Version) Solo

Looking (Berlin Version) Solo

Garden

Garden

Praxis

Praxis

Historic Concerts

Historic Concerts

The Eighth

The Eighth

Akisakila

Akisakila

Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly!

Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly!

Pleistozaen Mit Wasser

Pleistozaen Mit Wasser

For Olim

For Olim

Live in Bologna

Live in Bologna

Flashing Spirits

Flashing Spirits

The Willisau Concert

The Willisau Concert

CT: The Dance Project

CT: The Dance Project

Live at Fat Tuesday’s, February 9, 1980: First Visit

Live at Fat Tuesday’s, February 9, 1980: First Visit

The Complete, Legendary, Return Live Concert

The Complete, Legendary, Return Live Concert

Conquistador!

Conquistador!

1968

Unit Structures

Unit Structures

1966

Nefertiti, the Beautiful One Has Come

Nefertiti, the Beautiful One Has Come

1965

The World of Cecil Taylor

The World of Cecil Taylor

1961

Hard Driving Jazz

Hard Driving Jazz

1959

Love for Sale

Love for Sale

1959

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