Billy Taylor

Billy Taylor was a jazz pianist, composer and broadcaster born in Greenville, North Carolina.

He became one of jazz's most effective public advocates through television, radio and education.

A Greenville-born musician did as much as anyone to explain jazz to the American public.

• I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (1963)Listen
• A long catalog of trio recordingsListen

Taylor's composition became a civil rights standard, and his broadcasting work brought jazz into millions of homes.

• Wikipedia
• North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

This is an original Drake Magazine editorial profile built from verifiable public record. It is not an exclusive interview, and no quotes, awards or recordings have been invented.