Art Taylor - Definition and Overview

Arthur S. Taylor, Jr. (1929–1995) was an American jazz drummer of the hard bop school.

After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, and George Wallington from 1948 to 1957, he formed his own group, the Wailers. Between 1957 and 1963 he toured with Donald Byrd, recorded with Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and performed with Thelonious Monk. In 1963 he moved to Europe, where he lived mainly in France and Belgium for 20 years, playing with local groups and with touring American musicians. He continued freelancing after returning to the United States, and in 1993 organized a second band called the Wailers.

He is the author of Notes and Tones, a book based on his interviews with other musicians.