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NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman's Statement on the Death of
NEA Jazz Master Billy Taylor
December 30, 2010
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Contact:
NEA Public Affairs
202-682-5692
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On behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, it is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of NEA Jazz Master Billy Taylor. From a tasteful and non-intrusive sideman, Billy became a force in jazz as a leader of the Billy Taylor Trio, founder of JazzMobile, broadcasting personality, and educator. A strong advocate for the music he was known for his championing of woman in jazz and jazz education. He served on the National Council for the Arts from 1972 to 1978 and was named an NEA Jazz Master in 1988. Billy served as an advisor to the NEA as the agency redesigned its support for jazz in 2004 and was a regular and elegant presence at NEA jazz events.
In a January 2007 interview for the NEA, Billy said, “I'm grateful of the fact that a lot of people are very aware of who I am and what I've done, simply because I've been so visible, and I'm proud of that. And I'm grateful for the people who have given me that opportunity.”
We mourn his passing while celebrating his extraordinary life and contributions to jazz.
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Billy with Jimmy Scott in January 2007. Photo by Tom Pich |
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A 2008 portrait of NEA Jazz Master Billy Taylor. Photo by Tom Pich.
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 hi-res photo
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