Billy Taylor Papers, 1942-2004 Span: 1942-2004 English collection 137 ft. 346 boxes Musician, composer, educator, and author-- Dr. Billy Taylor is the consummate renaissance man of jazz. The son of a Washington, DC dentist, Taylor studied saxophone, guitar, and drums before settling on the piano seriously at the age of 13. Billy Taylor has lead music groups large and small throughout his career but is best known for his work with trios consisting of a bassist, a drummer and himself. Taylor's mission in music throughout his life has been to deliver jazz to the masses and is often referred to as "America's Ambassador of Jazz." The Billy Taylor Collection chronicles the life and experiences of Mr. Taylor through his music, writings, business papers, photographs, and various sound and video recorded formats. Sheet music (1535 items), writings (845), business papers, correspondence, photographs, sound recordings. Sound and video recordings transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division. Billy Taylor Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress Taylor, Billy Music manuscripts and papers of the celebrated jazz musician, composer, educator and author. Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply. African Americans in the Performing Arts Jazz Taylor, Billy Taylor, Theodora Castion Albam, Manny Henderson, Luther Mardin, Arif Nelson, Oliver Wess, Frank Jazzmobile, Inc. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.) ML31.T43 Performing Arts Encyclopedia scdb Music Division, Library of Congress http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu011009 IHAS 120821 loc.natlib.scdb.200033813