Cecil Taylor (born 1930) is a pianist (and poet) now
generally acknowledged to be one of the great innovative
sources of free jazz (along with the better known
Ornette Coleman). His first recording Jazz Advance
was released in 1956, and is described by Cook & Morton in
the Penguin Guide to Jazz: "While there are still many nods
to conventional post-bop form in this set, it already points
to the freedoms which the pianist would later immerse
himself in".
Taylor is known for being an extremely energetic, physical
player, producing exceedingly complex improvised sounds.
He's worked with musicians such as the saxophonists
Steve Lacy and Archie Shepp and the bassist
William Parker.
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