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Cecil Taylor
American jazz pianist and poet (1929–2018) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cecil Percival Taylor (March 25, 1929 – April 5, 2018)[1][2][3][4] was an American pianist and poet.[5][6]
Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...
Cecil Taylor | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Cecil Percival Taylor |
Born | (1929-03-25)March 25, 1929 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
Died | April 5, 2018(2018-04-05) (aged 89) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz, avant-garde jazz, free jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer, poet |
Instruments | Piano |
Years active | 1956–2018 |
Labels | Transition, Blue Note, Freedom, Hathut, Enja, FMP |
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Taylor was known as having been one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized as energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds. 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).[7][8]
Taylor died at his Brooklyn, New York home on April 5, 2018 at the age of 89.[9][10]