Sam "The Man" Taylor

A certified honking sax legend, Sam "The Man" Taylor's non-stop drive and power worked perfectly in swing, blues, and R&B sessions. He had a huge tone, perfect timing, and sense of drama, as well as relentless energy and spirit. Taylor began working with <a href="spotify:artist:7oDjuab7uVdRk9Ism8pFIc">Scat Man Crothers</a> and the Sunset Royal Orchestra in the late '30s. He played with <a href="spotify:artist:4zef2ByBl6wZGFPvYWve6o">Cootie Williams</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4tdVYQWfsBth04tc1mmQ23">Lucky Millinder</a> in the early '40s, then worked six years with <a href="spotify:artist:03cwCzIWQ8BRmXjGPDAL04">Cab Calloway</a>. Taylor toured South America and the Caribbean during his tenure with <a href="spotify:artist:03cwCzIWQ8BRmXjGPDAL04">Calloway</a>. Then, Taylor became the saxophonist of choice for many R&B dates through the '50s, recording with <a href="spotify:artist:1eYhYunlNJlDoQhtYBvPsi">Ray Charles</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:23ZeHMuusfCSypkcHOa4Hc">Buddy Johnson</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2nRbxpnBMMbtMBWH5QdqH2">Louis Jordan</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1DTgcOxytJHD8p17mhSgd7">Big Joe Turner</a>, among others. He also did sessions with <a href="spotify:artist:5V0MlUE1Bft0mbLlND7FJz">Ella Fitzgerald</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:27mxmjGJOVEKUV3VaHBkbj">Sy Oliver</a>. During the '60s, Taylor led his own bands and recorded in a quintet called the Blues Chasers. He currently has one session available on CD, recorded in the late '50s with <a href="spotify:artist:1yOf0GbMOo9zdD2FF0rUoK">Charlie Shavers</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1QTyeOWOgAXxQQf32kPLAL">Urbie Green</a>. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi