jazz audience in 1969, when he partnered saxophonists Alan Skidmore and John
Surman. He was later reunited with Surman in the short-lived group "Morning
Glory" and more recently with Miroslav Vitous's quartet. In the early '70s
he was accompanist to the singer Cleo Laine and starting to compose for his
own sextet. John Taylor also worked with many visiting artists at Ronnie
Scott's Club and later became a member of Ronnie's quintet.
In 1977 John formed the trio Azimuth, with Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler.
The group was described by Richard Williams as "... one of the most
imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced contemporary chamber-jazz
group". The trio has made several recordings for ECM Records and has toured
throughout Europe.
The 1980's saw John working with groups led by Jan Garbarek, Enrico Rava,
Gil Evans, Lee Konitz and Charlie Mariano as well as duo contexts with Tony
Coe and Steve Arguelles. John also continued his long association with Kenny
Wheeler and John Surman. Recent projects have included a Contemporary Music
Network Tour with his group "Foil", a larger scale composition for the
Hanover Radio Orchestra with Stan Sulzmann, and commissions from
Nottinghamshire County Council for the choir "Cantamus", and Zeffirelli for
John Surman and John himself. John Taylor is currently a member of the Kenny
Wheeler Quintet and Big Band with John Abercrombie, Palle Danielsson and
Peter Erskine. Recently, John was commissioned to compose a suite for the
NDR Radio Big Band in Hamburg. John has recorded with Peter Erskine and Palle Danielsson for ECM