Otis Taylor: Original Song Composer

Although born in Chicago, Otis Taylor grew up as a Colorado kid. He moved to the Mile High City at age six and used to frequent the Denver Folklore Center, buying his first instrument there – a ukulele. Before long, a banjo and harmonica were part of the collection and in his late teens, Taylor shifted to Boulder, attracted by the hip music scene. He formed the Butterscotch Fire Department Blues Band in ’64, followed by the Otis Taylor Blues Band.

As a musical genius with true versatility, Taylor can pick up a banjo (his instrument of choice), harmonica, ukulele, guitar or mandolin and tell evocative stories through his songwriting and vocals. He mixes elements of Appalachian folk with blues and rock to create powerful and soulful sounds. Taylor’s subjects aren’t always pictures of happiness, but real messages from the heart.

Taylor’s career hasn’t solely been devoted to music, however. After playing with the 4-Nikators and Zephyr in the 70’s, he retired as a professional musician for two decades. He became an antique dealer and dabbled as a bike racing coach, helping two African American cyclists enter the predominantly white sport.

Then, in ’95 after years of prodding from all-star bass/piano player Kenny Passarelli, Taylor entertained an intimate crowd in a small, unassuming setting in Boulder. He was joined by Passarelli and guitarist Eddie Turner. The trio gave such an outstanding performance that Taylor reappeared on the music scene. Since then, he has released four albums and won a W. C. Handy Award for Best New Artist Debut. Taylor teaches in the National Blues Foundation’s Blues in the Schools program and continues to play with Passarelli and Turner, as well as cellist Ben Dollee and backup vocalist Cassie Taylor, his eldest daughter.

The above biography is courtesy of the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival.

Otis Taylor composed, arranged and performed (along with his daughter, Cassie Taylor) the song, "If The Devil Ain’t Right" for the film, SKIN DEEP (2003).

For more on Otis Taylor please go to his web site at www.otistaylor.com.

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