Retired U.S. Army Band arranger to be guest conductor

February 20, 2012 | Arts, UToday
By Staff



Taylor

Jazz arranger and composer Mark Taylor will conduct the UT Jazz Ensemble Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.

In 2001, Taylor retired as chief arranger for the U.S. Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”), where he was on staff 24 years. He wrote all the compositions for the band’s disc, A New Beginning, and much of the material for Scream Machine.

Before joining the Army, Taylor wrote for bandleader and pianist Stan Kenton, who recorded several of his songs, including “Samba de Haps” and “Granada Smoothie.”

These days, Taylor is working with drummer Steve Fidyk. The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band has released two discs, A Perfect Match (2002) and Live at Blues Alley (2006).

Taylor is an arranger for Hal Leonard Corp., a music publishing company, and resides in Cape Coral, Fla.

Tickets for the show are $5 for the public and $3 for students and seniors.

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