The latest release from jazz's Renaissance man, Dr. Billy Taylor, consists of two long-form commissioned works and two shorter compositions, all of which exemplify Taylor's prowess as a pianist, composer, and leader. Homage is a three-movement suite featuring Taylor's trio accompanied by the Turtle Island String Quartet. Taylor's influence is immediately evident as Turtle Island swings harder than on any of their previous recordings, with inspired solos and an unusually tight performance. However, unlike many pianists who merely restate phrases from their influences, Taylor has absorbed the concepts and uses the ideas he's learned in appropriate contexts. Over the years, Billy Taylor has received considerable recognition and respect in and outside the jazz community.
Homage provides another reason why.
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