Sam Taylor RIP

From Bob Corritorie


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January 6, 2009

• RIP Sam Taylor 10/25/34-1/4/09: World renown blues and soul singer/guitarist/songwriter Sam "Bluzman" Taylor passed away of heart complications on Sunday, January 4th at his home of Islandia, New York. He was 74. Taylor was the son of renowned saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor. His early sides include a Bobby Robinson-produced session for the Fire record label. He had many notable achievements in the blues throughout his long and active career. Taylor worked with soul greats Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and The Isley Brothers. During the 1980s, he spent time in Los Angeles and later settled in Tucson, Arizona, where he made his home for over a decade before moving back to New York, where he spent his last years. He toured Europe frequently in 1990s and 2000s. Sam Taylor's band served as a schooling for many a budding blues musicians who credit Sam in their resume. He often teamed up with Tucson blues violinist Heather Hardy for a unique stylistic blend that seemed to suit Taylor well. He was inducted in the Arizona Blues Hall Of Fame in 1997, and the Long Island Blues Hall Of Fame in 2006. A short, but sturdy man with a charismatic stage presence and a spectacular voice, Sam was a master bandleader, songwriter, and arranger. Sam will be deeply missed by those of us lucky enough to have known him, his great music, and his ever-present smile. When you asked Sam Taylor how was doing, he would respond "I feel blessed". Click here for the newsday.com obituary.

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