Paul Taylor, Smooth jazz Artist

This week’s Featured Artist took up playing the saxophone at the tender age of seven, and over the years has developed a distinctive smooth sensuous sound playing the alto and soprano saxophones.  He was hired by Jazz keyboardist Keiko Matsui and her husband, producer Kazu Matsu to play in their band, after one of his performance at the Catalina Island Jazz Festival, and for a short period in 1999 and 2000 he performed as a special guest saxophonist with the Rippingtons.  He has also collaborated with a few high profile R&B vocalists such as Regina Belle, Terry Dexter and LaToya London.  Meet Smooth/contemporary jazz saxophonist and recording artist – Paul Taylor

Born in Denver, Colorado, USA

Genre: Smooth/Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Pop/Rock

Paul Taylor has just one question for his fans who have been Burnin’ for more since his last hit album in 2009: Are you ready for Prime Time?  The popular saxophonist sure is a true contemporary urban jazz force of nature.  Taylor has been on one of the most successful runs of his 15 year recording career, scoring his first #1 ever on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart with Ladies’ Choice (2007) and hitting #1 on the airplay charts with the title track from Burnin’.  Fresh from kickin’ it up on tour these past few summers as part of the Gentlemen of the Night tours with fellow saxophonists Marion Meadows, Michael Lington and Warren Hill.  Taylor is keeping things soulful, funky and innovative as ever on his sixth Peak Records album and debut release through new distributor EoneEntertainment Group.  Paul’s in Prime Time mode with emotionally powerful 10 song collection of instrumentals and vocals which finds him vibing with a mix of old and new (and very funky) musical friends.

For the first time since Nightlife (2005), the saxman is co-writing with Dino Esposito, one of the architects of the trademark Taylor sound who has been producing tracks for him since his 1997 hit Pleasure Seeker. Looking for a special breezy touch on the sensual ballad “Horizon,” Taylor called his longtime pal, acoustic guitarist and “vocalese” master Steve Oliver, to complement his lilting alto melody.  It was a sweet payback of sorts, as Taylor played on Oliver’s breakthrough album First View in 1999.  Technology played a key role on this track, as Oliver recorded his parts at his home studio in California’s Inland Empire and transferred them electronically to Esposito’s home studio in Simi Valley.

Complementing the seven tracks helmed by Esposito are four urban adult contemporary vocal cuts co-penned and produced by The Heavyweights, a hit production team led by vocalist Jamie Jones of the Grammy and American Music award winning R&B vocal group All-4-One, which released the album No Regrets on Peak Records in 2009.  Since forming in 2003, The Heavyweights—which includes songwriter/producers Jack Kugell and Jason Penrock—have participated in recordings that have sold more than 28 million units.

“I treat each project as a separate entity, aiming to create the perfect sound, the right flow with the right collaborators to reflect where I am musically at the time,” says Taylor, whose other collaborators over the years include top R&B producers Rex Rideout and Barry J. Eastmond.  “Dino’s one of the original guys who helped me get out there and establish my sound, and he brings a great combination of familiarity and exciting, progressive new ideas in the funky jazz vein.”.

“My manager (and Peak Records label owner) Andi Howard is great about suggesting new people to work with, and it turns out The Heavyweights were an amazing fit for the part of me that loves R&B vocals. Jamie is a master on the melodic side and Jack has incredible studio chops.  The key to the songs we chose to develop was diversity in the mix. Aside from having Jamie sing lead on ‘Can’t Nobody,’ it was also a pleasure to hear the great new vocalist they brought in, Andrea Anderson-Olson, who does ‘Space.’.

Biographical Information courtesy of Paul Taylor website
http://paultaylorsax.com/
http://paultaylorsax.com/biography/