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Taylor Made Jazz

In 1987, keyboardist Van Taylor created this jazz-oriented band. He assembled an array of musicians and world-class entertainers, and while the names and faces have changed frequently, the intentions of the crew have not.

Taylor Made Jazz (TMJ) has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, given hundreds of school performances, and been honored to play countless times for the troops overseas and at various festival nationally and internationally.

The ensemble has a universally entertaining, dynamic approach and smooth style. Places they' ve traveled include Cuba, Greece, Germany, Israel, France, and Africa. They went the top of the MP3 Jazz charts in 2003.

TMJ received the International Federation of Festival Organization' s Diamond Accord Award, multiple Night Life Magazine top R&B nods, and the People' s Choice Award for Jazz in 2003-5.

This group is noted for their charitable and benefit work: they work through Armed Forces Entertainment, MWR, USO and charities such as the United Way Canada, Childrens Hospital, UNCF, AIDS Research and United Way Buffalo. In 2009, they performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to benefit the Buffalo City Mission and Food Bank of WNY.

July 22 was named "Taylor Made Jazz Day" in the city of Buffalo by the Common Council in 2003.


Art Forms:
Music

Programs

Taylor Made Jazz add to wish list

An inviting introduction to jazz and blues by a beloved Buffalo jazz ensemble. Demonstrating jazz instruments and performing both original songs and standards, the artists encourage audience participation via vocal warm-up exercises and singing. Qualified students are invited to join the band in performance.

Grade Level:
K-12
Performance cost (single):
$720.00
Performance cost (back to back):
$985.00

Workshops Taylor Made Jazz add to wish list

The award-winning, world-touring members of Taylor Made Jazz discuss their careers as performers and writers, demonstrate the use of their instruments, and provide the opportunity for students to examine them.

Members of Taylor Made Jazz are available individually for workshops.

Grade Level:
K-12
Workshop cost (back to back):
$184.00

The Business of Music with Van Taylor add to wish list

Learn from professional musicians! A discussion of the music industry, songwriting, and the laws related to publishing and marketing music. Applicable to students interested in law, music or the entertainment industry. Students create a song, learn how and why the copyright is divided between contributors. Can be extended to a several workshop-residency (contact office for details).

Grade Level:
7-12
Workshop cost (back to back):
$275.00