Dr. Billy Taylor comes to celebrate MLK
by Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public RadioThere is a rare treat for Twin Cities music fans this weekend when jazz piano legend Dr. Billy Taylor comes to perform with the VocalEssence.
St. Paul, Minn. — As the house pianist at the famous Birdland jazz club, Taylor played with many of the greats over the years, including Charlie Parker, Dizzie Gillespie and Miles Davis.
Taylor is in his late 80s now, and has retired from touring. However, he and his trio will join the Twin Cities vocal ensemble to perform "Peaceful Warrior" at the Ordway in St. Paul on Sunday.
It's Taylor's tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Taylor knew and worked with King during the struggle for civil rights. However Taylor told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he also knew Dr. King as a jazz fan.
