Fred Taylor Memorial Tribute Event Online Dec. 7, 2020 at 8 PM

Fred Taylor Memorial Tribute Event Online December 7, 2020 at 8 PM EST

A free online musical celebration of Fred Taylor’s life will be streamed Monday December 7, 2020 in conjunction with the release of his memoirs entitled, “What, and Give Up Show Biz?”. Buy Book Here Taylor finished his book just a few weeks before he passed in October of 2019. The proceeds from the book will go to the Fred Taylor Scholarship Fund www.fredtaylorscholarshipfund.org

Taylor was known as the promoter that coaxed Miles Davis out of retirement. He also made an audience recording of Dave Brubeck that became a hit record. Over the span of six decades Fred promoted every sort of show one could imagine but jazz was his first love. Fred and his dear friend George Wein (founder of Newport Jazz Festival) were much alike in their ability to remain musically ahead of the curve so they may foster and promote rising stars. “What and Give Up Show Biz” touches upon the theme of Taylor as a mentor and exemplar time and again. Taylor protégé, Grace Kelly and her parents Bob and Irene produced the show to be streamed as a loving tribute to their dear friend, Freddie.

Monday evenings webcast features many of the artists that Fred invested in early in their careers such as Grace Kelly, Esperanza Spaulding, Catherine Russell, and Harry Connick Jr. So many entertainers found a home on Taylor’s stages at the Paul’s Mall, Jazz Workshop, Scullers Jazz Club and countless other venues. The list includes The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Roy Haynes, Richard Pryor Duke Ellington and the list goes on.

Fred Taylor is best known as a jazz impresario, yet he booked countless blues shows. Muddy Waters was the first blues act booked at the Jazz Workshop and B.B. King was the final act to play the room. James Montgomery fondly recounted to me how B.B. King invited him to sit in on that final night of the Workshop as WBCN aired the show live. James Montgomery Performs Private Party . Taylor also booked former Muddy Waters harp player, James Cotton until 2016 and James Montgomery frequently joined Cotton on stage. This footage shows mentor and protégé playing Muddy Water’s “I Got My Mojo Workin’”. James Cotton & James Montgomery Perform Fred put the music and people before making a dollar. I recall he donated an evening at Scullers to those who sought to memorialize piano great, David Maxwell. Ronnie Earl was joined by Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin, Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band and several others in the finale of that evening at Scullers. David Maxwell Memorial Concert Finale at Scullers David Maxwell led a memorial concert at Scullers for Teo Leyasmeyer, promoter and spouse to Hege, Fred’s long-time assistant. Blues for Teo by David Maxwell at Scullers Fred and Hege maintained a friendship in which they were devoted to the well-being of the other to the best of their abilities until Fred passed.

Long time New England blues radio host Holly Harris said of Fred Taylor, “I am honored to have been his friend for many years. We shared many a laugh and musical experience. He was a legend in his own time and truly a one-of-a kind. His knack for talent, love of musicians, kindness and sense of humor are just some of his many noted traits. I first met Fred when he had me round up an 'air force- of Boston Blues dj's for this first Blues Festival at the former Great Woods. Some of his subsequent acts there were Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Neville Brothers, Koko Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, a young Ronnie Earl and Duke Robillard to name a few. I am not alone in missing this wonderful human being.”

Fred Taylor was among my close friends for almost thirty years. I felt honored to emcee Freddie's Year of the Blues Centennial celebration in 2003 at Tanglewood. More on Year of the Blues Concert I spent that beautiful late summer day extoling the musical virtues of Jay McShann, Louisiana Red, David Maxwell, Duke Robillard and Nicole Nelson. Backstage I recorded an interview with McShann who spun yarns about Charlie “Yardbird” Parker who spent time in his big band. I spent countless nights at Scullers as a young radio host to review shows, network and to conduct interviews. Fred always had time to chat. He made everyone feel special and essential. Its only fitting that we come together to remember Fred Taylor even if online. Consider a donation to his scholarship fund so an old friend of Freddie’s at Berklee College of Music can mentor that next Pat Metheny or Grace Kelly.

Online Event Information:

Join us on Mon. Dec 7 for a free live stream. Access Live Stream HereAccess Live Stream Here