John Taylor

English pianist, born September 25, 1942 in Manchester, England, died July 17, 2015 in Segré, France. Self-taught, Taylor moved to London in 1964, first came to the attention of the jazz audience in the late 1960s alongside saxophonists Alan Skidmore and John Surman. He then worked with numerous jazz artists from around the world (Jan Garbarek, Enrico Rava, Gil Evans, Lee Konitz, Charlie Mariano, and Ronnie Scott), and recorded albums under his own name, as well as his work on ECM with Azimuth (playing alongside Norma Winstone and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler). Taylor held the position as professor of jazz piano at the Cologne College of Music, Germany. Married to Winstone from 1972 (later divorced), Diana de Courcy (died 2004) and his widow, Carol (née Weston). Sons Alex Taylor (13) and Leo Taylor from marriage to Winstone.