Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor is an American jazz saxophonist from the United States, born in 1960. He is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and originally comes from Denver, Colorado. He begins playing saxophone at the age of seven and studies music performance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Career

Taylor starts out playing local high school and lounge gigs in Las Vegas before building a career in smooth jazz. He first gains wider attention after commuting to Los Angeles and working with producer Dino Esposito in the late 1980s. A later session at Jeff Lorber’s home studio leads to a 1994 invitation to perform at the Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival, where keyboardist Keiko Matsui and her producer and husband Kazu Matsui notice him and offer him an audition.

He records and tours with Keiko Matsui for two years, appearing on Sapphire and Dream Walk. Kazu Matsui produces Taylor’s debut album, On the Horn, which is released in 1995 and includes the number one radio hit “Till We Meet Again.” Taylor follows this with Pleasure Seeker, whose title track also reaches number one on the radio charts. He signs to Peak Records and releases eight albums in total.

Collaborations and live work

Taylor works with a number of R&B vocalists, including LaToya London, Regina Belle and Terry Dexter. He also records material featuring Lauren Evans. His releases Steppin’ Out, Nightlife and Ladies’ Choice are produced in part by Barry Eastmond and Rex Rideout, and Ladies’ Choice includes vocal collaborations with Regina Belle, La Toya London and Terry Dexter.

In 1999 and 2000, he appears as a special guest with The Rippingtons after Jeff Kashiwa leaves the group and before Eric Marienthal joins. He also tours with the all-star “Groovin’ For Grover” lineup, performs on Norman Brown’s Summer Storm II tour, and appears as a featured performer on the Brian Culbertson All-Star Smooth Jazz Cruise. Taylor also makes an acting debut on One Life To Live.

Style and repertoire

His music is described as smooth jazz with strong contemporary jazz and soulful R&B influences. Taylor is known for melodic, romantic saxophone-led tracks and for live performances that include inviting female audience members onstage during his song “Deeper.” His album Undercover appears in 2000, and Hypnotic becomes his Peak Records debut in 2001. Steppin’ Out reaches the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Top Ten, and Nightlife reaches the Top Five of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.

Other notable tracks mentioned in connection with his career include “Till We Meet Again,” “Pleasure Seeker,” “Deeper” and “Ladies’ Choice.”