Austin, the neighborhood on the farthest west of the West Side of Chicago, has at least three public libraries. The oldest, called Austin Branch at Central Ave. and Race Ave., was built in 1929--the year of the Great Depression and the year Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born. Librarian Jo Willis decided to throw a birthday shindig Friday June 7 with Larry Taylor and the Soul Blues Healers, and some 100 neighbors and friends showed up, even some step dancers led by dance teacher Mr. Barak. What a blast!
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The Rhythm and the Blues Film goes to Lincoln Center May 11 2024
The Chicago-produced, Chicago-themed feature film The Rhythm and the Blues, was screened at the historic Lincoln Center in New York City’s African Film Festival, Saturday May 11, 2024 to a sold-out crowd. Actor Leon (The Temptations) stars as the frustrated unsung 1960s-era blues guitarist Eddie Taylor Sr., challenged by a corrupt industry, family drama, and British rockers' appropriation of his music. Broadway actor/bluesman Guy Davis appears as Eddie’s better-known road partner Jimmy Reed--racked…
Read moreVOTE HERE! Larry's "I Paid My Dues" reaches Blues songwriting finals
VOTE HERE for Larry Taylor's “I Paid My Dues,” from the Nola-Blue CD “Generations of Blues.” You can vote every day til the “People's Voice” song contest ends: 11:59 p.m https://songwritingcompetition.com/peoplesvoice
Fans Enjoy Soft Chicago Premiere of "The Rhythm and the Blues"
Larry and his sister Brenda Taylor and Leon the actor, were among those on hand March 4 at Chicago's CineCity viewing theater for the soft premiere of “The Rhythm and the Blues.” Producer/Director Darryl Pitts told the enthusiastic crowd, “This is just the beginning!” Actors Greg Ging and Dev Kennedy, pllaying the music industry bad guys, drew playful boos during the Q& A session after the movie.
Pictured is Larry Taylor, right, with Bonni McKeown, original script writer, and Leon.
Pan African Film Fest to Screen Taylor family story "The Rhythm and the Blues"
Actor Leon and actor/musician Guy Davis capture the audience in this 1960s period film based on Larry Taylor's story about his musical family. The feature film, in production since 2015, produced and directed by Darryl Pitts, is to be screened in the February 2024 Pan African Arts and Film Festival in L.A.. Bonni McKeown is the initial screenwriter and producer. Check out the trailer HERE .
Taylor Family album wins Global Music Award
Growing up in a house filled with postwar blues masters, plus grounding in Chicago Public School music programs during the 1960s and 70s, has paid off for Larry Taylor, producer of the Taylor family CD “Generations of Blues” on Nola-Blue Records. Global Music Awards has given the album a 2023 Silver Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Global awards are not based on popularity, but rather on “creativity and quality of musical craft.” The awards span all genres, from classical to indigenous, jazz to modern…
Read moreLarry's new Individual Arts Project: Blues Bizness Boosters
Beginning in winter of 2023-24 Larry plans some cooperative shows with neighborhood businesses and music venues, thanks to a Chicago Dept. of Cultural and Special Events grant he was awarded June 20. Larry's Individual Arts Project, one of several dozen given by DCASE, will be known as “Blues Bizness Boosters.” More info to come. In the 2020-21 round of these DCASE grants, Larry and fellow blues singer Katherine Davis were named as two of 13 “Esteemed Artists” in all arts disciplines. Its nice to be…
Read moreTAYLOR FAM performs at 2023 Chicago Blues Fest!
Chicago's Annual FREE ALL AGES Blues Festival featured Taylor Family on June 9, 2023
See Rosa's LIVE STREAM of that day
Nola-Blue Releases Larry and the Taylor fam "Generations of Blues"
Larry and his siblings are featured on a CD released June 16, 2023 by Nola-Blue Records.
CD RELEASE PARTY was held JUNE 18 at Fitzgeralds
Chedk it out! Nola Blue Records signs Larry Taylor -- Nola Blue Records | PRLog
BUY the CD or Digital Album: https://larry-taylor.bandcamp.com/album/generations-of-blues-west-side-legacy
Larry and siblings to lead Antone's 100th birthday party for Eddie Taylor
At Antone’s club in the music city of Austin, TX : master Chicago blues guitarist Eddie Taylor Sr. brought the place down in the 1980s. His kids plan to do the same for his 100th heavenly birthday Jan. 27, 2023. Featuring Larry and siblings: singers Brenda, Edna and Demetria, brother Tim on drums with very special guest John Primer on guitar, special guest Steve Bell on harp, and others. Also in memory of Vera Taylor and Eddie Taylor Jr. Get tickets early!