Billy Taylor

William Taylor Sr. (April 3, 1906 – September 2, 1986) was an American jazz bassist. He was born Washington, D.C., and died in Fairfax, Virginia.

Taylor began playing tuba but later picked up bass alongside it. After moving to New York City in 1924, he played with Elmer Snowden (1925), Willie Gant and Arthur Gibbs (1926), Charlie Johnson (1927–1929, 1932–1933), Duke Ellington (1928), McKinney's Cotton Pickers (1929–1931), Fats Waller (1934), and Fletcher Henderson. He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton on three sessions in 1930. From 1935 to 1940, he again played with Ellington, and it is for this association that he is best remembered; he often played with a second bassist in the orchestra, at times Hayes Alvis or Jimmie Blanton. During that time, he also recorded with Cootie Williams and Johnny Hodges. In the 1940s, he played with Coleman Hawkins (1940), Red Allen (1940–41), Joe Sullivan (1942), Raymond Scott (1942–43), Cootie Williams (1944), Barney Bigard (1944–45), Benny Morton (1945), and Cozy Cole (1945). Later in the decade he played freelance in New York before moving back to Washington, D.C., in 1949. He led his own ensemble for Keynote Records in 1944.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 11, 1942 (Washington, D.C.), Died September 2, 1986 (Fairfax)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, string bass, leader, tuba, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-62182 10-in. 6/2/1930 Oil well Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tuba  
Victor BVE-62183 10-in. 6/2/1930 Load of coal Jelly Roll Morton ; Red Hot Peppers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tuba  
Victor BS-82526 10-in. 5/16/1934 A porter's love song to a chambermaid Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-82527 10-in. 5/16/1934 I wish I were twins Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-82528 10-in. 5/16/1934 Armful o' sweetness Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-82529 10-in. 5/16/1934 Do me a favor Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-037632 10-in. 6/13/1939 12th Street rag Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with piano solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-1954 10-in. 10/31/1947 Little small town girl (with the big town dreams) Delta Rhythm Boys Male vocal quartet with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-1955 10-in. 10/31/1947 I can't tell a lie to myself Delta Rhythm Boys Male vocal quartet with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-1956 10-in. 10/31/1947 Ain't gonna worry 'bout a soul Delta Rhythm Boys Male vocal quartet with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor D7VB-1957 10-in. 10/31/1947 Never underestimate the power of a woman Delta Rhythm Boys Male vocal group with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Columbia W152577 10-in. 11/24/1933 Do your duty Buck and his Band ; Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Columbia W152578 10-in. 11/24/1933 Gimme a pigfoot Buck and his Band ; Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Columbia W152579 10-in. 11/24/1933 Take me for a buggy ride Buck and his Band ; Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Columbia W152580 10-in. 11/24/1933 I'm down in the dumps Buck and his Band ; Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Columbia W152719 10-in. 2/23/1934 Tailor made Benny Morton Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W152720 10-in. 2/23/1934 The gold diggers' song Henry Allen ; Benny Morton Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and trumpet solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 39518 10-in. 5/7/1935 Corinne Corinna Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39519 10-in. 5/7/1935 Ev'ry day Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39520 10-in. 5/7/1935 A porter's love song Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 39521 10-in. 5/7/1935 I can't dance Bob Howard Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 68605 10-in. 1/21/1941 Wee baby blues Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68606 10-in. 1/21/1941 Stompin' at the Savoy Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68607 10-in. 1/21/1941 Last goodbye blues Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68608 10-in. 1/21/1941 Battery bounce Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 69356 10-in. 6/13/1941 Lucille Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69357 10-in. 6/13/1941 Rock me Mama Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69358 10-in. 6/13/1941 Corrine, Corrina Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69359 10-in. 6/13/1941 Lonesome graveyard blues Art Tatum and his Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 70029 10-in. 12/10/1941 Why don't you love me any more? Ruby Smith instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 70030 10-in. 12/10/1941 Harlem gin blues Ruby Smith instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 70031 10-in. 12/10/1941 My name is Jim Jack Meredith instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 70032 10-in. 12/10/1941 Match box blues Jack Meredith instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73786 1/24/1947 Guilty Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73787 1/24/1947 Sentimental journey Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75523 11/25/1949 The worst is yet to come Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75524 11/25/1949 Angel child Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75525 11/25/1949 Block buster boogie Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75526 11/25/1949 Ham hocks Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75721 1/18/1950 All ears Billy Taylor Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75722 1/18/1950 My heart stood still Billy Taylor Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75723 1/18/1950 Darn that dream Billy Taylor Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 75724 1/18/1950 Double duty Billy Taylor Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76662 7/19/1950 Three little words Bill Darnell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76663 7/19/1950 Pink champagne Bill Darnell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76664 7/19/1950 Well, oh well Bill Darnell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76843 9/13/1950 Autumn leaves Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76844 9/13/1950 White Christmas Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76845 9/14/1950 Jingle bells Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76846 9/14/1950 Where or when Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76847 9/14/1950 Blue again Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81092 5/25/1951 Tra-la-la Calvert Jones instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81093 5/25/1951 Two timin' woman Calvert Jones instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81281 7/13/1951 Castle rock Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81282 7/13/1951 Aboard the sentimental train Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81296 7/20/1951 If, if, if you were mine Gladys Bruce instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81297 7/20/1951 I've got the blues for my baby Gladys Bruce instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81298 7/20/1951 Trinidad Daddy Gladys Bruce instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81299 7/20/1951 The right kind of feeling Gladys Bruce instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81300 7/23/1951 The morning side of the mountain Arthur Prysock instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81301 7/23/1951 Blue velvet Arthur Prysock instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81302 7/23/1951 The love of a gypsy Arthur Prysock instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81303 7/23/1951 A man ain't supposed to cry Arthur Prysock instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81357 8/6/1951 Lemme go Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81358 8/6/1951 Dreamy melody Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81359 8/6/1951 I got it bad Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81360 8/6/1951 The day isn't long enough Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81394 8/14/1951 untitled original Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81395 8/14/1951 Kissing bug boogie Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81396 8/14/1951 Slick chick on the sly Sy Oliver Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82005 12/19/1951 Somebody stole my darling Connie Boswell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82006 12/19/1951 I know what it means to be lonesome Connie Boswell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82007 12/19/1951 Begin the beguine Connie Boswell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82008 12/19/1951 Believe it beloved Connie Boswell instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82179 1/22/1952 Easy street Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82180 1/22/1952 A weaver of dreams Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82181 1/22/1952 Miss me Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82182 1/22/1952 I hear a rhapsody Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82401 3/5/1952 When you surrender (Little) Jimmy Scott instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Decca 82402 3/5/1952 Alone with a memory (Little) Jimmy Scott instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Decca 82403 3/5/1952 Something of a fool (Little) Jimmy Scott instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Decca 82404 3/5/1952 Do you mind if I hang around (Little) Jimmy Scott instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Decca 82605 4/3/1952 Everytime Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82606 4/3/1952 Lonesome and blue Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82607 4/3/1952 Sure thing Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82608 4/3/1952 Why not? Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82670 4/9/1952 Lonesome and blue Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82671 4/9/1952 I love the way you love me Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82672 4/9/1952 Secret love Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82673 4/9/1952 Please Dr. Jive Hal Singer Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82732 4/23/1952 I waited a little too long Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Trudy Richards instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82733 4/23/1952 I may hate myself in the morning Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Trudy Richards instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82734 4/23/1952 Trav'lin' (All alone)-1 Artie Shaw Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82958 6/16/1952 Troubles Joan Shaw instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82959 6/16/1952 Better be on my way Joan Shaw instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82960 6/16/1952 Until you came along Joan Shaw instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82961 6/16/1952 Anything you say Joan Shaw instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83154 7/11/1952 T and S, part 1 Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83156 7/11/1952 T and S, part 2 (Three little words) Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83157 7/11/1952 Flying home Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83370 9/11/1952 Three little words Billy Taylor Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83371 9/11/1952 Oscar rides again-1 Billy Taylor Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83458 9/30/1952 T and s Jr. Terry Gibbs Sextet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83644 11/14/1952 Lake Placid Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83645 11/14/1952 Uncle Jim Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83646 11/14/1952 Waltzing on a cloud Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83647 11/15/1952 In Veradero-1 Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83648 11/15/1952 Falling in love all over again Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83649 11/15/1952 It's a happy holiday Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 83650 11/15/1952 Two for a nickel, three for a dime Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 84130 3/6/1953 Only yesterday Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 84131 3/6/1953 I know why Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 84132 3/6/1953 If love is good to me Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85034 8/14/1953 When I lost you Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85035 8/14/1953 Idle gossip Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85036 8/14/1953 I had a talk with a daisy Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85037 8/14/1953 Skylark Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85488 11/6/1953 Only forever Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85489 11/6/1953 (Oh boy! what joy we had in) Barefoot days Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85490 11/6/1953 (Oh boy! what joy we had in) Barefoot days Johnny Long Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86348 6/2/1954 Detour ahead Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86349 6/2/1954 I'm through with love Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86350 6/2/1954 You're mine you Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86351 6/2/1954 Who can I turn to? Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86352 6/2/1954 The things we did last Summer Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86353 6/2/1954 A cottage for sale Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86354 6/2/1954 We'll be together again Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86355 6/2/1954 More than you know Jackie Paris instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Taylor, Billy," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110259.

Taylor, Billy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110259.

"Taylor, Billy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110259

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