Otis Taylor

OTIS TAYLOR

Otis Taylor, born in 1948, grew up in Denver among jazz and blues and learned banjo and playing harmonica. Not long after, his first concerts with the Otis Taylor Blues Band and a collaboration with Deep Purple guitarist Tommy Bolin followed.

In 1977 he left the music scene for what it was to create a successful starting a career as an antiques dealer and, yes, a coach in a professional cycling team.

In the mid-1990s he returned to his first love, music. It provides the bluesman with a beautiful series of records that remain musically challenging (banjo, cello, psychedelic influences, ...) and are combined with socially driven lyrics. The music reflects the man.

Taylor is considered by critics to be one of the most relevant blues artists of the last twenty years. Someone who shook up the blues scene.

At the end of 2010 he suffered serious health problems. In the run-up to an operation, Otis hastily writes down numbers... "Just in case". This year 'Contraband' was released (the fifth LP in just six years). Another Otis Taylor this time. Clarinet, djembe, ... and music influenced by gospel and prison songs.

Taylor transcends time, genre and age. A must for music lovers tout court.