A subtle time-keeper or a boisterous swinger, depending on the requirements of the session, Taylor was one of the finest jazz drummers. His studio and live credits read like a who's who of jazz -- Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell are just some of the major artists with whom he played. His group Taylor's Wailers provided a training ground for up-and-coming players in a Hard Bop setting similar to the one pursued by fellow drummer Art Blakey. Taylor's sound was crisp and dynamic, pushing the limits of just how hard a musician could swing, and always adding the perfect snare roll or crack. Whether driving one of his own blistering sessions or contributing to classics such as John Coltrane's Giant Steps, Taylor always propelled groups to new musical heights.
