Norton Cites D.C. Connections in Tribute on the Passing of Jazz Great Billy Taylor
Norton Cites D.C. Connections in Tribute on the Passing of Jazz Great Billy Taylor
December 30, 2010
Washington, DC- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today issued the following statement on the passing of Billy Taylor, who grew up in the District:
"With the entire world of jazz, the District of Columbia will always celebrate the life of Billy Taylor, the incomparable renaissance man of jazz, who was raised in this city, and died Tuesday at 89. Like native son, Duke Ellington, whose music teacher at Dunbar later taught Taylor, this city's influence on Taylor's life and musical career was unmistakable. He found his way to jazz in the city's classic jazz places, such as Republic Gardens, his first gig, and the Howard Theatre. It is no wonder that a man whose talent was nurtured in a city that had no democratic city government or member of Congress would later write his most famous song, "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free," the civil rights movement anthem that should particularly inspire D.C. residents, as we struggle to obtain equal citizenship rights and to avoid losing what we have won so far in the next Congress.
A virtuoso pianist, Taylor's talents seemed to know no bounds. He became a creator, not only of 300 pieces of music, but of ways to showcase jazz, including his invention of the Jazz Mobile. Taylor was not content to be one of jazz's great pianists, playing with all the great legends of his time as house pianist at Birdland. Billy Taylor was a musical intellectual and a jazz genius who insisted upon contributing more than his fabulous musical talent. Alone, he took on the task of propagating, popularizing, and preserving jazz as America's native classical music. He became the "ambassador of jazz" in many venues, from jazz correspondent for the CBS "Sunday Morning" show to artistic adviser for jazz at the Kennedy Center. Billy Taylor's magnificent life reminds us that this city has a unique musical heritage that continues to inspire the world and should encourage us all, especially young people in our city today."