22 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS that,” Taylor said. “While I was setting up during soundcheck, Prince was playing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ on the piano. “When he finished, he came over to me, and said hello, and it was mind-blowing—a defining moment because his recognition was a stamp of approval. Meeting and talking to my idol was everything, and he knew about me as a player because Prince noticed everything about guitar playing and musicianship.” Taylor, a longtime spokesman for Ibanez guitars, is proud to represent North Carolina, which has nurtured some of the greatest musicians—from John Coltrane to Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, Thelonious Monk and George Clinton. His old bosses, Anderson and Hamilton, are also Tar Heel peers. He can’t say if there’s something in the water of North Carolina that develops great artists, but he has an idea about the secret to the hometown success. “It must be the buttered grits and bacon grease,” the amiable guitarist laughed. “I’ve never thought about it, but considering how many there are, that must be it.” Although he’s on the road frequently as a member of Culbertson’s touring band, Taylor said he dedicates his downtime to his family. The married father of a young girl knows that quality time is even more important than keeping time. “I enjoy spending time with my family because that is very rare with how often I’m on the road. That’s a big priority. As a musician, you have to make time and dedicate yourself to them. “I love to travel too, but I also really love gardening, believe it or not, planting flowers and doing yardwork. Everyone in my neighborhood knows that if you come by my place, my grass is going to be on point—manicured. I look at that as a reflection of me. I’m going to look good, sound good and present myself with an A-plus manner. What I have reflects me, and I take pride in it.” Taylor maintained that in the often chaotic, unpredictable life of a musician, there’s one constant for him. “My faith is everything to me. I am grounded and rooted in God. I was raised that way, and I’ve seen God’s work in my life. “There have been too many miracles that have happened in my life. He took me from a small town in North Carolina to work with Brian Culbertson and all the amazing artists I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with.” He slowed his thoughts to reflect on his life and added: “And he allowed me to meet my idol, Prince. That just doesn’t happen by accident. “My daughter is a miracle child, too. Our doctors told us we’d never have kids, but we kept believing and praying. And we were blessed with my daughter after God led us to the right doctor who directed us to the issue. “And now she’s 11 years old and as beautiful and healthy as ever. So, my faith has kept me going throughout my life. I genuinely believe that you have to have faith and things will work out.” For more information on Taylor, visit www.showcasedent.com. ON TOUR In addition to tour dates with Brian Culbertson (Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, June 4-7; and The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, June 21), Taylor is performing the following solo gigs: June 6 Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway “Wine Down” The Westin Verasa Napa, Solera Courtyard Napa, California www.jazzgetaway.com Aug. 31 Spaghettini Seal Beach, California www.spaghettini.com “I was playing with a gospel quartet out of New York, Darrell McFadden and the Disciples, who ironically were playing traditional Southern-style gospel. It’s very guitar-heavy music, so I was out front, and then I played with Byron Cage, who plays more contemporary gospel. “Throughout this time, I was evolving as a player. I moved on to work with Marcus Anderson. He encouraged me to get out front more and find my lane. I was comfortable being a supporting player at the time, but it was Marcus who gave me the confidence to do my own thing. That advice was a pivotal point in my career.” Taylor added that he vividly remembers the other major moment in his life when he knew that he had arrived and became fully confident in his playing. “I was playing with Anthony Hamilton in 2011, and we were opening for Prince during the Welcome 2 America tour. Marcus was also in the band—he went on to play with Prince’s New Power Generation right after continued from page 21 Photo: Will Downing
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