Celebrates late jazz legend’s 94th birthday July 24
The Howland Cultural Center will celebrate the life and times of jazz legend Dr. Billy Taylor on Friday, July 24, at 8 p.m.
Taylor was not only a strong player from the bebop era who continued to perform until his more recent death, but a visionary who founded several programs to help bring jazz to the masses with such programs as the nonprofit Jazzmobile and the TV program The Subject Is Jazz. Taylor was also a friend to Martin Luther King Jr. and was by his side during the days leading up to the historic March on Washington.
The concert will celebrate Taylor’s 94th birthday by using the music he loved so dearly to walk through his life. Each composition performed will be interspersed with stories about Taylor’s life. The evening is being curated and led by guitarist Michael Hollis, who will be joined by his quintet featuring Nick Lieto on trumpet, John Scanton on piano, Chris Macchia on contrabass and Steve Olenski on drums.
A reception to meet the performers will take place immediately following the program. Tickets, at $12, may be purchased at the door.
The Howland Cultural Center is located at 477 Main St. in Beacon. For further information and/or directions, call 845-831-4988.
