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Jazz Studies

Meet Sam Taylor

“Purchase gave me the space to grow and discover who I would become, musically and personally.”

Sam Taylor (’05 BM)
Saxophone

Hailed by All About Jazz as “wise beyond his years” and “remarkable” by Toronto Music Report, saxophonist Sam Taylor lives and performs in New York City. A Philadelphia native, Taylor is a recording artist on Cellar Live, with his second album, Along The Way, featuring saxophone legend, Larry McKenna. In support of the release, Taylor performed two nights at The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2018.

Past performance highlights include a concert with trumpeter Jon Faddis; jazz legend James Moody’s 80th Birthday Celebration; touring Europe as a guest soloist with The Noord-Nederlands Conservatorium Symphonic Jazz Orchestra. Taylor is a recipient of a New Artist grant from The Netherland America Foundation, and serves as artistic director for The West Harlem Jazz Festival. Taylor can be heard throughout the week at steady engagements across Manhattan.

On the occasion of Purchase Jazz’s 25th Anniversary he writes:

“Purchase gave me the space to grow and discover who I would become, musically and personally. This was thanks to the generous spirit of the faculty, whose most memorable lessons were given not only in the classroom, but also on the bandstand or often times simply over coffee. They taught me that music is made together and that community matters; life and inspiration can and should be found outside the conservatory; who you are comes out in your instrument. These ideals have allowed me to create the music I love and have a rewarding career.

Today, I live a life of music in New York City. I maintain weekly engagements throughout Manhattan four nights out of the week, along with playing at places like Smalls Jazz Club. As a recording artist on Cellar Live, I have put out two albums under my own name, with the second, Along The Way featuring my saxophone hero, Larry McKenna. In support of that release, I performed two nights to sold out crowds at The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2018. I’m looking forward to performing in Paris this summer, along with leading a quartet at The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The West Harlem Jazz Festival.”