Close To Mars

Pianist John Taylor’s death in 2015 robbed British jazz of one of its most distinctive exponents, an improviser and composer who confidently blended folk and classical forms with a distinctive off-centre approach to swing. Taylor’s already substantial legacy of recordings is not static, however. Close To Mars is a trio recording made in Ludwigsburg in 2006, released now on CAM JAZZ, which was Taylor’s label of choice during the final, highly creative decade of his life. Joined by veteran bassist Palle Danielsson and the most musical of drummers Martin France -- now, sadly, both no longer with us (another reminder of the passage of time) -- Taylor performs eight original compositions (and one by his late friend Kenny Wheeler) that will delight long-term admirers but also introduce his work to a new generation who never had the chance to see him perform. Not yet a historical release, but an important and bittersweet one. Close To Mars is John Taylor at his mature best, familiar but adventurous... (Brian Morton)  

Recorded in in Ludwigsburg (Germany) in October 2006 at Bauer Studios Recording engineer Johannes Wohlleben

Photos by Peter Bastian