Mike Taylor

British jazz pianist, composer and band leader
Born June 1, 1938 in Ealing, London, England, UK.
Died (probably) January 19, 1969 in Leigh Creek, Southend, Essex, England, UK (aged 30).
Both of Taylor's parents died during World War II and he was raised by his affluent grandparents who owned a decorating supplies company. Although an admired performer by his mid-20s (he led the support act at Croydon's Fairfield Hall for the August 1965 appearance of Ornette Coleman), Taylor was unable to live solely via his music career and had a day job in the family business until 1966. According to critic and musician Dave Gelly, it was Ian Carr who brought Taylor to the attention of producer Denis Preston who arranged for "Pendulum" and "Trio" to be recorded, but they received only limited contemporary attention. At the time the second album was recorded, Taylor was working in menial jobs. Throughout the second half of the 1960s, he exhibited increasingly erratic behavior (and served a short prison sentence), ultimately drowning in the River Thames. However, by now several of his songs were being performed by the supergroup Cream; both Jack Bruce and Peter Baker (Ginger Baker) had worked with Taylor earlier in the decade. A biography by Luca Ferrari "Out of Nowhere: The Uniquely Elusive Jazz of Mike Taylor" was published by Gonzo Multimedia in 2015. See also Mike Taylor Remembered.