Larry Taylor Blues and Soul Band: News

The Larry Taylor Blues and Soul Band brings their funky, hard hitting brand of 1950s big city blues and 1960s soul from the West Side of Chicago to wild wonderful West Virginia Aug. 14-17 2008.

Larry’s band for this tour includes two of his longtime Chicago West Side buddies, brothers Vernon and Joe Harrington on guitar and bass, who were among his first professional bandmates in the late 1970s and played with him at the Chicago Blues Festival for the last two years. West Side Wes will play drums and West Virginia's Barrelhouse Bonni will play keyboard.

The tour kicks off, appropriately, on the West Side of Charleston Thursday Aug. 14, at the historically black American Legion Post 57, 1721 7th Ave. at Patrick Street, in a show co-sponsored by the Charleston Blues Society.
www.chaswvblues.org
and www.myspace.com/charlestonwvbluessociety

“African Americans created the blues and it’s part of America’s heritage,” said Taylor, who’s also been invited to visit Heritage Towers, a museum of African-American history, while in Charleston. “I play my music to help people forget their troubles and be happy. And we want to bring it back to the community.”

From its western base, the band will move on to the mountaintops, playing Snowshoe Blues, Brews and Barbecue at the all-year Pocahontas County resort at 7:30 p.m. Friday Aug. 15, following K.J. James and Wallace Coleman.

On Saturday Aug. 16 they will perform at 5 p.m. in downtown Berkeley Springs State Park (or in the Ice House if it rains) as part of Morgan County Arts Council’s summer concert series. www.macicehouse.org/
The Larry Taylor tour winds up with the barbecue at Romney’s Bottling Works at 1 p.m.Sunday Aug. 17.
at the old Coca Cola plant-turned-performance space, 426 E. Main St. Tickets, $12 (under 12 free; BBQ additional) are available at the door, and online at: http://www.TheBottlingWorks.com Info: Shari Gallery, Bottling Works 304-496-8201.

From Aug. 6-8, Larry joined other artists and promoters at the Jus Blues convention in Memphis. http://www.jusbluesmusicfoundation.org Check out Larry and some of his fellow artists at
http://www.jusbluesroom.com/members/32/
While in Memphis he visited W.C. Handy Park on Beale Street and went tothe Stax Museum to check out some of the artists he remembered seeing and learning from in the 1960s.
www.soulsvilleusa.com/
"This trip gave me a broader outlook," Larry says. "I got to meet some fine musicians on the streets of Memphis, having the same problems getting paid and recognized as we are in Chicago. A lot of folks want to hear our music. We are learning to promote ourselves and direct our own careers."

The Chicago Sun-Times previewed Larry Taylor's Blues and Soul Band as a leading act to watch at the 2008 Chicago Blues festival... and it was!

Larry worked with festival director Barry Dolins of the Mayor's Office of Special Events to stage a West Side Revue of three acts. The first featured Joe B and his longtime West Side band in its first appearance in the Fest. Guest singers Al Harris, Willie D and ZZ Hill sparked up the show.

Larry's Blues and Soul Band featured Vernon and Joe Harrington on guitar and bass, with Larry's brother Tim Taylor on drums, BJ Emery on trombone and Mike Finnerty on sax. Guest players included guitarists Ice Mike and Willie Davis, plus Sleepy Riley on bass.

Larry introduced the third act, the Taylor family, featuring amazingly dressed singing sisters Demetria, Edna and Brenda Taylor, plus Tim Taylor on drums and Eddie Taylor Jr. on guitar. The revue drew a huge crowd to the Crossroads Stage for three acts of REAL BLUES.

Larry Taylor will be part of a panel headed by Chicago blues critic David Whiteis, speaking of his real life in the blues, at Dominican University's first Blues and the Spirit Symposium May 24. Dr. Janice Monti, professor at DU, has invited notable African-American music scholars to speak, and blues and gospel musicians to play. Larry will lead the Taylor family band at a Thurs. night reception May 22. More info:

http://www.dom.edu/blues/schedule.html

Larry is working with Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events to produce a West Side Revue for the afternoon of Friday June 6, 2008. Stay tuned for details.

"Green Line Blues," a song about Chicago's L train through the West side from Larry's album "They Were in This House," is featured in a compilation CD given as a bonus to subscribers of Big City Rhythm & Blues magazine. Most of the songs on Big City's Rack of Blues 3 are about trains, and the headline song is "Two Trains Running" sung by Mud Morganfield, Muddy Waters' oldest son and a West Side buddy of Larry's. Another highlight is Joey Gilmore's "Ghosts of Mississippi Meet the Gods of Africa."
http://www.bigcitybluesmag.com

"Roots music like bluegrass and blues came straight out of people's lives and it's all related and all exciting," says Larry Taylor after he played drums in a special band with 92 year old Delta bluesman Honeyboy Edwards. Aron Burton held down the bass and Honeyboy's manager Michael Franks of Earwig Records played harmonica at the MAster Musicians Fest July 21 2007 at Somerset Ky. Bluegrass is the reigning music of that area, and Old Crow Medicine Show was the headline band. Fans were curious and enthused about the blues and came to hear the bluesmen speak of their experiences at a pre-show workshop.

Larry Taylor was not among those elected or chosen for the Blues Foundation board, but he congratulates all newly elected candidates. "I think the winners are people who will take seriously the issues I have raised regarding African American representation, blues education, and better judging for awards," said Larry. Bill Wax of XM Radio, and Jerry "Boogie" Mason of the Boogie email newsletter giving Southern Soul news, will give a well balanced view from blues media. Zac Harmon and Barbara Blue are new artist representatives. Complete election news at www.blues.org

Invited to Ireland by old Chicago pal, Bobby Dixon (son of the late master songwriter, producer and bassman Willie Dixon), Larry played drums and sang at the Bleu Note in Dublin Aug. 17-18 with Bobby on piano, Boney Fields on horn, Johnny O on guitar, Nathan of Twin Dragons on bass. Mick Kenny shared some photos, see the Gallery

Ronnie Stewart , musician, leader and historian from the San Francisco Bay Blues Society, has raised the same concerns that Larry Taylor is speaking about:

http://dablues.wordpress.com/2007/05/21/a-letter-from-ronnie-stewart/#comment-25

Chick Willis, the nationally known "Stoop Down Man" wrote this letter of protest after losing the International Blues Challenge to a regional white band:
http://www.soul-patrol.com/soul/chickwillis.htm

Chicago blues singer and drummer Larry Taylor has announced his candidacy for the Blues Foundation Board of Directors in the “Artist” category.

“I am running because I want to see change. I want the old system out and a new progressive system put in for the 21st Century Milennium, which emphasizes the African American heritage and continued leadership in music. Rooted music in America, which came from African Americans, is in great danger today. It doesn’t get enough radio play or media attention. Folks from every culture enjoy rooted American black music when they hear it; we just want to get it out there and remind people where it comes from.”

Taylor, grew up steeped in blues, as stepson of Chicago guitar giant Eddie Taylor Sr. and singer Vera Taylor. With his rhythmic, soulful West Side presentation of 1950s-70s based blues and soul, Taylor is available for shows everywhere, plus TV, print, radio, documentary and internet interviews. He appeared this year on discussion panels sponsored by the DC Blues Society and Chicago fest about the history and current state of the blues.

His platform for the board includes the following, open for discussion by everyone:

1. Blues Foundation board should have at least 50 per cent African American representation. (Right now it’s about 10-15 percent.)

2. HANDY AWARDS (the annual blues professional award similar to Grammys):
Recent trends have Handy Awards going only to black artists who are over 65 or deceased.
a. Return the name back to W.C. Handy Awards to honor the esteemed black composer
b. Add Handy award category that would reconsider previously submitted albums that didn’t receive an award in a given year.
c. Limit 5 Handy awards per artist lifetime.
d. Add category for African American Heritage Honors, a lifetime career award for 1-2 artists each year who do not frequently record but are icons in the blues art form. They may have played on a long ago hit, or are regional outstanding performers.
e. Add “best vocals” award for male and female artists.

3. BLUES CHALLENGE:
The Blues Challenge local and national band contest has resulted in an uneven quality of winners, who are then given slots in festivals and clubs, knocking out longtime professionals.

In addition to the current Blues Challenge sponsored Blues Societies, have two more new Challenges, recruiting additional sponsors for each.
a. African American Community Challenge, with regional rounds in Northeast,Southeast, etc. with various categories: blues, soul, gospel, R&B , jazz, hiphop, rap, pop and black rock. Start with one city and expand.
b. Youth Challenge, sponsored by blues societies with help of national grants and local businesses (all ethnic groups). Announce on Myspace and other youth forums. This avoids pitting youth against professionals, and opens up a wider opportunity for youth. Original music in a blues format is encouraged.

All Challenges should have 50% or more African American judges.

Right now there are no critical definitions of “blues” to guide Blues Challenge judges. I would call a committee, with an African American majority informed in music, to create a definition.

4. EDUCATION
Right now the Blues Foundation is not taking leadership to get blues in the schools nationally.

Raise major funds to send heritage blues musicians (in Delta, Chicago, Piedmont, soul blues, etc) plus teachers of blues (all ethnics) to schools, to match 50-50 state arts grants. This will help children express themselves and raise self esteem, make them aware of their heritage, help keep them out of trouble, and motivate them to succeed. This program will be for everyone, but there should be a special effort to get it back to the black community.

5. BY-LAWS
Current bylaws isolate the Foundation from its members and discourage new ideas and new people. The board needs new ideas, ethnic diversity, and moral corrections.

Change bylaws so that members can define their own constituent category. For example, with my 30 years of professional experience, I should be able to definite myself in the Artist category. Under the current bylaws, the board has power to define what category a member belongs to. This can keep challengers from running against incumbents in a given category and may be discouraging African Americans from joining and being active in the Blues Foundation. Also, the board has the right to elect about half of its own directors, which tends to perpetuate the current system.

One idea: use the simple membership categories already in place: fans, music professionals, corporate, blues organizations, and other nonprofit groups. Members could vote at large and therefore have a voice in all categories.
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Taylor plans to seek the support of major African American organizations as well as artists and fans of all ethnic groups who love blues music.

Jerry Mason of the Boogie Report internet soul music newsletter, who has covered many of these issues in his writing, has announced he is running for "Media" slot on the Blues Foundation Board orf Directors.

To vote for Larry andhave other input into blues music, join the Blues Foundation for $25 per year, www.blues.org


CONTACT: larrytaylor@larrytaylorbluesnsoul.com 773-266-9993, 773-209-4712

In the June 2007 chicago Blues Fest,Larry spoke on a panel headed by JimO'Neal to recall the history of the 1977 Berlin tour by the New Legends of Blues. Several of the musicians who went on that tour were reunited on the panel--Billy Branch, James Kinds, Johnnie B. Moore. Also Larry sang with some other Berlin Tour buddies, Vernon & Joe Harrington from the Atomic Soul Band, on the Front Porch Stage. In a late night after-fest birthday party for Honey Boy Edwards at the Hideout June 8, sponsored by Earwig Records' Michael Franks, Larry sang with Rob Stone & the C Notes as special guest. Larry also joined in the Great Lakes Blues Summit, sponsored by Big city Blues Magazine, at the Route 66 tent.

Larry appeared on a DC Blues Society 25th anniversary panel on the state of the blues, at the Presbyterian Church in DC, called "Who Stole the Soul". Jared Ball, MorganState professor and producer of Freemix radio show; promoter Tom-Tom Brady; acoustic bluesman Mike Baytop; and blues piano singer-songwriter Barrelhouse Bonni were his fellow panelists. Larry did an acoustic blues show with Mike Baytop and Jay Summerour after the discussion, and sold lots of CDs to a receptive audience.

"The West Side is the Best Side!" proclaims the cover of the Aug./Sept. 2006 issue of Big City Rhythm and Blues Magazine. Larry (in red fedora hat) is among two dozen smiling blues musicians and friends posing outside Wallace's Catfish Corner restaurant in the heart of Chicago's West Side.

"So many great musicians come from the West Side, the Best Side!" declares editor Robert Jr. Whitall in his preface to the issue.

Among the musicians interviewed are Larry and his brother Eddie and sister Demetria; Willie Davis, Vernon Harrington, Michael "Sleepy" Riley,West Side Wes, Bonnie Lee, Tail Dragger, Eddie C. Campbell. Many of the musicians are calling for the establishment of more West Side venues and more blues on the radio.

Find out where to get your copy of the magazine at
www.bigcitybluesmag.com

Larry Taylor took the stage today at Cindy Pritzker Auditorium in downtown Chicago for an hour long "Speaking of the Blues" show for the Chicago Blues Archives. Justin O'Brien interviewed Larry about his family and the blues icons he grew up with...Howlin Wolf,Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Wolf's drummers who taught him how to play. "To be a master, you got to learn from the masters," he said. Larry played drums and sang some examples of his favorite blues and soul tunes, featuring his brother Eddie Taylor Jr. on guitar, Osee Anderson on bass, and Barrelhouse Bonni on piano.

Larry Taylor Marks 50 Years as West Side Blues Leader

Chicago blues singer and drummer Larry Taylor will celebrate his 50th birthday Sunday Nov. 11 at a longtime West Side neighborhood nightspot, Vern’s Friendly Lounge. Family, friends, fans and fellow musicians are invited to the bash, 6 p.m. til midnight. The lounge is located at 1258 S. Pulaski Road, just south of Roosevelt Blvd.

Larry Taylor was born Dec. 13,1955, in Chicago. His mother, singer Vera Burns Hill, and stepfather, guitarist Eddie Taylor Sr., played host in their home to blues giants like Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Sunnyland Slim.
As a band leader, Larry puts irresistible grooves behind the songs of Howlin’ Wolf, Tyrone Davis and other musical giants from his neighborhood.

“The West Side is the best side for blues,” says Taylor. “It’s a down and out part of town where we have a strong blues and soul heritage. There’s a whole generation of butt-kicking musicians who have yet to be recognized in the wider world. The West Side guys have the hardest, funkiest rhythms. We put a lot of soul into our music, and people get down in it. All ages and ethnics of people today.”
Several musicians from Larry’s highly-praised, Grammy-contending 2004 CD “They Were in This House” will be playing at the party, including guitarist Willie Davis, drummer West Side Wes, and co-producer and keyboardist Barrelhouse Bonni. Guests may include Larry’s younger brother, guitarist Eddie Taylor Jr.

Vern’s Friendly Lounge has been open for over 40 years, now operated by Vern’s daughter Marie Williams and her brother Melvin Williams. Donation at the door for Larry Taylor’s birthday party is $5.

LARRY TAYLOR DRUMS UP RHYTHM & SOUL
In “Best Traditional Blues Album” Grammy Category 65, Number 040

Larry Taylor has come roaring out of the West Side of Chicago to revive the 1950s electric blues and 60s-70s soul that energized America. His debut vocal album, They Were in This House, on his own AV label, is seeking a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album 2004-05.

The CD cover, designed by Justin O'Brien using James Fraher's striking photos, pictures Taylor in front of his childhood apartment home at 1131 S. Mozart St., Chicago, where he learned the blues trade from his parents (mother Vera, a singer, and stepfather Eddie Taylor Sr., the trademark guitar sound behind Jimmy Reed) and from distinguished guests like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and Wolf’s drummers such as Cassell Burrow, Chicken House Shorty, SP Leary, Winehead Willie Williams. He spent the next 30 years drumming and singing with the greats of blues and soul, from Albert Collins and Otis Clay to John Lee Hooker, punctuated with gigs with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, BB King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Larry’s six-piece band, packed with Chicago veterans like guitarist Willie Davis and drummer West Side Wes, has drawn raves from crowds of all ages and ethnic groups at places like Chicago’s Navy Pier, House of Blues and Buddy Guy’s Legends.

“Young people dig my music because it’s real. What I sing comes out of my life, my heart, the voices of my musical forerunners. And our West Side rhythm kicks butt,” says Larry Taylor. “Voice and drums are the basic instruments everywhere in the world. Rhythms and singing were the roots of our music in Africa, before we added European instruments and harmonics to create the sound what we now call blues, which is the root of American popular music.”

Larry Taylor’s highly praised album, They Were in This House, was recorded live in Chicago’s Delmark studio, engineered by Steve Wagner, and co-produced by Larry and his manager, keyboardist and songwriter “Barrelhouse Bonni” McKeown.

Sept. 6 was a slow Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday down at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago's South Loop. The managers of the club were pleasantly surprised to see a nice, international-flavored crowd trickling in. There were fans from Australia and Montreal. The Taylor family name is known by blues fans worldwide, since Larry's stepfather Eddie Taylor Sr. toured along with Willie Dixon,Sunnyland Slim, and other Chicago blues greats in the 1970s and 80s. The visitors were delighted by Larry's solid traditional Chicago blues sound, augmented by none other than Eddie Taylor Jr, Larry's brother, on guitar; and Abb Locke, who played with Howlin' Wolf, on saxophone. Rounding out the band were the friendly MC voice and steady drumbeats of West Side Wes; bass player Ron Lasken, veteran of the Jimmy Burns band; and West Virginia immigrant Barrelhouse Bonni on keys. Larry autographed over a dozen CDs and the band closed the evening with a ferocious rendition of the Magic Sam/John Lee Hooker classic "All Night Long."