Ed Taylor: Press

Veteran Motown session guitarist and producer Ed Taylor, who grew up in Los Angeles, has quietly been laying down his Wes Montgomery- and George Benson-inspired guitar licks for years at small clubs in the Pacific Northwest. He covered blues and soul standards on his long-overdue 2004 debut but now has finally released his first CD of all-original material. He slyly winks at that with the title, and continues its tongue-in-cheek wordplay on his last name with titles such as “Patterns,” “Funky Stitch,” “Sexy Threads” and “Happy Hem Line (Con Brio).”

Like his inspirations, Taylor lays down a bevy of notes on his electric guitar in an organic production that refreshingly sounds like it comes straight from a basement studio into your living room. Credit Taylor for giving ample room for his Ed Taylor Band— Dennis Blackmon on keys, Kevin England on trumpet and flugelhorn, Willy Fisher on drums and John Roberts on bass—to spread their wings. Relaxed, funky, bluesy and ’60s cool, TaylorMade is an ode to talented guitarists playing in small clubs everywhere.

"What an exciting performer Ed Taylor is; he engages the crowd experrtly!! His virtuoso guitar playing and his silky smooth voice become one in a mesmerizing soulful blend. His latest CD "Songs From A Taylor" featuring Peter White is definitely on parr with his last CD "TaylorMade." Its cool and breezy with a touch of soul and romance. It will definitely get you in the mood so play it at your own risk!"

Ed Taylor is the realist of real things in Tacoma regarding jazz

Former Motown session guitarist Ed Taylor has released a sweet collection of Smooth Jazz tunes that are cool and breezy. The Tacoma, WA resident is well known in the Northwest for his jazz guitar stylings. However, jazz was not always his thing... Taylor began his playing at the young age of 13 - He grew up in Los Angeles and was heavily influenced by George Benson, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Taylor says, "At the time I didn't know squat about playing guitar, but I could feel it." TAYLOR MADE features some funky grooves ("Seven Inch Drop" and "Funky Stitch"), silky smooth vocals ("Enough For 2" and "Romantic Moments"), Latin-influenced jazz ("Sunset In Mexico"), and Smooth Jazz ("Sexy Threads," "Patterns" and the Smoothjazz.com Radio pick, "Shorts, Socks & Sandals"). The Ed Taylor Band features Taylor on guitar and vocals, Dennis Blackmon on keyboards, Kevin England on trumpet and flugelhorn, Willy Fisher on drums and John Roberts on bass. Put a little Northwest jazz in your music collection and pick up TAYLOR MADE by Ed Taylor. ~SANDY SHORE

Ed Taylor
"TaylorMade"
Tacoma's Ed Taylor offers 12 original songs on his newest album, "TaylorMade." The song titles are a play off the guitarist's last name, with references to articles of clothing, cuffs and scissors. Get it? Tailor, Taylor. Clever.
"Sexy Threads" is a good example of Taylor's approach to his playing. He plays a restrained, tasteful solo early in the song, then plays a faster, more intricate one later on.
"Cuffs & Lace" is smooth jazz, almost too smooth. Taylor seems to be reaching for listeners who like their jazz safe and sanitized.
"Patterns is better. It is sophisticated and smooth, without being too watered down. The instruments stay in the background as Taylor offers a tasteful solo.
The band gets a bit funky on "Seven Inch Drop." Taylor switches between an interesting effect and a clean sound. The horns blast out a bright, brassy sound.
"Sunset In Mexico" opens with horns reminiscent of Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass. Dennis Blackmon conjures up a classic early '70s vibe on Hammon B-3 organ. Taylor reveals a bit of Carlos Santana influence in his solo.
Bass player John Roberts lays down a strong foundation for "Shorts, Socks & Sandals," spicing things up with some thumb slapping technique.
Taylor's vocals appear for the first time on "Enough For 2," a tale of true love that could be ending for some reason.
"Sitting here having a glass of wine/and having a funky time/soon there will be no you/in my life there will be blue." This is basically a pop song, with Roberts punctuating the music with some bass licks.
"Funky Stitch" brings to mind War, the early 1970s band that combined rock with jazz and funk. Blackmon's keyboards move to the forefront with a long solo, then moves to the background as Taylor rattles off his solo.
"Don't Hate The Player" veers into blues territory. The lyrics are about a no-good character who can't hold a job and provide for his family. "I've got five dollars in my pocket/and I was supposed to buy my daughter some new shoes/I know my wife is not going to be happy/and I feel less than a lowly fool."
On "Romantic Moments,"Taylor longs for a woman he loved who has died. "If I could, I would/bring you back to life/and If I should see someone else, girl/it would be a problem in my life."
"Straight With Scissors" is just Taylor and Blackmon. Taylor solos in the first half of the song, then turns the spotlight over to keyboards for the rest.
Taylor is a talented guitarist, and could easily had this album revolve around his solos. He recognizes the talent that surrounds him, and knows when to hold back and let the other guys display their skills.
"TaylorMade" is available at Another Record Store at the Tacoma Mall and Buzzards in downtown.
Ed Taylor plays at 9 pm on friday, March 3 at Pub 54 in Tacoma and at 8 pm on Saturday, March 4 at HG Bistro in Puyullup.