James Taylor Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes Clavinet, Moog.
Nick Smart Trumpet.
Dave Williamson Trombone.
John Willmott Tenor Saxophone, Flute.
Neil Robinson Premier Drums.
Gary Crockett Fender Bass.
Nigel Price Guitar.
Yvonne Yanney vocals.
Influences
Brian Auger
Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland, James Brown, Booker T and
the MG's, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, Earth Wind and
Fire, Jimmy Hendrix, the Crusaders. Roy Budd, Lalo Schifrin, Wes
Montgomery, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, John Coltrane
ABOUT THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET
James Taylor - one of the great
instrumentalists of his generation - supplements his trademark howling Hammond
sound with grand piano on his new album. New World features 11
original tunes by James (two co-written with guest vocalist Corina Greyson) and
features John Parricelli (guitar), Andy McKinney (bass), Adam Betts (drums),
Nick Smart (trumpet/flugelhorn), Gareth Lockrane (flutes), and the
aforementioned Corina Greyson.
James explains how the album came
about: ‘A friend of mine, Sophie, loaned me her grand piano while she moved
house. With it sat there in my living room I was inspired to write what is
essentially a piano album, albeit accompanied by Fender Rhodes and Hammond.
The focus is on presenting a variety of moods centred around the empathic
sounds of piano, flute and flugelhorn, with a high degree of musicianship, using
young players graduated from the Royal Academy and other London colleges.
There is no doubt that London has never been so crowded with talented
players, and this album represents a uniquely English musical heritage whilst
drawing on a broad and eclectic set of keyboard influences from McCoy Tyner and
Herbie Hancock through to Brian Auger, Les McCann and Ramsey Lewis.
Recording the album - over three days - was a hugely enjoyable process;
hopefully some of that pleasure is captured here’.
The Theme from Starsky and Hutch, cemented JTQ’s
reputation as master of the jazz-funk-r’n’b workout; 60s spy themes, psychedelic
and free-form jazz all added something to the band’s distinctive sound.
Originally playing the Hammond B3 organ in the UK mod revival band The
Prisoners, James Taylor formed his own quartet in 1985, and began playing
music similar to the rare-groove jazz-funk then in vogue around London. By
the early 90s, that movement had spawned acid jazz, and JTQ found itself
at the forefront of a vibrant young club scene. The first single,
Blow-Up, was released in 1985 on the Re Elect The President label, a
precursor to Acid Jazz. The band's debut album, Mission Impossible,
was released the following year, predominantly consisting of covers of 60s film
themes such as Alfie, Mrs Robinson and Goldfinger. In the
early 1990s, the single Love The Life reached the Top 40, and the
accompanying album, Supernatural Feeling,In The Hand of The Inevitable remains the label's biggest
selling album to date.
In 1997 James had the
chance to fulfil a dream when he was asked to score the theme tune to Austin
Powers: International Man of Mystery, the spy spoof starring Mike Myers and
Elizabeth Hurley. JTQ’s Whole Lotta Live album was nominated for a
MOBO award in 1998, and the following year James featured on Tom Jones’ duets
album, Reload. James’ musical talent has been admired by
numerous other acts: The Wonderstuff, Manic Street Preachers, The Pogues and U2
have all featured James and his distinctive Hammond sound on their albums.
JTQ’s last release was May 2008’s Live at The Jazz Café, London.
Don’t Mess With Mr T: James Taylor Quartet Plays Motown was
released in September 2007 on Dome Records, featuring guest lead vocalists Omar,
Hil St Soul, and Donna Gardier. 2007 also saw the release of Picking Up
Where We Left Off by a new outfit, James Taylor’s 4th Dimension; James
Taylor Quartet was nominated in the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards the same year.
JTQ’s A Taste of Cherry was released in September 2006. settled in the Top 30 UK
charts. After releases on Polydor and Big Life Records, JTQ returned to
Acid Jazz, and
British keys-led funk
outfit James Taylor Quartet releases its new album New
World on Monday 6 April 2009 (Real Self Records; RS5678) Never less than an
impressive demonstration of virtuosity Andrew Mueller,
Uncut
Taylor keeps it swinging, fun and
unpretentious Andy Robson, Jazzwise
James
Taylor is one of our finest jazz organists...
A musician who has forged his own path... His playing is snappy and
crisp... David Lands, Jazz
Journal
Taylor’s organ sound first sears the ears and then goes
straight to the feet Garry Booth, BBC Music
Magazine
