Billy Taylor

Billy Taylor (1921-2010) was a renowned American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. With a career spanning several decades, Taylor made significant contributions to the jazz genre, not only through his outstanding performances but also as an ambassador for the art form. He recorded numerous albums, some of which became jazz classics, and composed over 300 songs, including the well-known "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free." Beyond his musical accomplishments, Taylor was a passionate advocate for jazz education, teaching at various institutions and pioneering jazz programming on major network television.