Melvin Taylor Music

Upcoming Gigs

About

Melvin Taylor is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock, blues, and jazz. He is often referred to as a guitar players guitarist. This self taught master was influenced by many of histories true guitar pioneers including - Albert King, Jimmy Reed, Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix. So it won’t surprise you to know that Melvin’s ability has been recognized by many of his fellow guitar and rock greats. In fact, he’s appeared on the same ticket with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, George Benson, Buddy Guy, and BB King. Melvin can count among his fans the likes of Mick Jagger, Patty LaBelle, Joey Alexander and Joe Bonamassa.

Melvin has performed in front of thousands of fans all around the world. Indeed, music fans in Argentina, Canada, China, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Turkey, the Ukraine, the Virgin Islands, and of course the USA have all enjoyed his virtuoso guitar style, and breathtaking solos.

Melvin is a prolific composer, amazing producer and recording artist, in addition to his stunning live performance skills. His love of music shines through as he crosses over many genres - mixing fluid jazz, blues, rock and soulful styles that create his unique sound. Melvin continues to thrill and entertain audiences around the globe.

BIOGRAPHY

Melvin Taylor was born in 1959 in Jackson, Mississippi. His musical roots however have always been in Chicago, where he moved with his music-loving, guitar playing family when he was 3 years old. The proverbial musical prodigy, started playing guitar at age 6. He learned from his uncle Floyd Vaughan, and his great aunt, Rosetta Tharpe. Melvin was influenced and inspired by some of the world’s greatest blues players - many of whom lived in or near his Chicago neighborhood - Albert King, Jimmy Reed, Wes Montgomery and later Jimi Hendrix.

By the time he was a teenager, Melvin’s incredible ability and unique style was already grabbing attention on Maxwell Street. In 1980, he joined veterans Pinetop Perkins, and “Big Eyes” Willie Smith of the Muddy Waters Band to form the Legendary Blues Band and tour Europe. Melvin made an immediate impact on the European circuit, and while in France, he cut his first two albums - Blues on the Run(1982), and Plays the Blues for You (1984).

Following his return to the US, Melvin recorded four additional CD’s for Evidence Music - Bang That Bell (1999), Dirty Pool (2002), Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band (2003), and Rendezvous With the Blues (2004).

Currently under his own production, Melvin has released - Beyond the Burning Guitar (2010), Sweet Taste of Guitar (2012), and Taylor Made (2013).

Amazing technical proficiency, an impeccable sense of timing and phrasing, with full rich tones and a texture all his own, have placed Taylor firmly in the upper echelon of the world’s six string masters. Taylor is embarking on a career where few have the chops to follow.

Media

Venues

Local, National and International venues where Melvin performs.

Festivals

A list of the great music festivals where Melvin has performed.

Press Mentions

Articles, interviews and other press mentions about Melvin.

Press Releases

A list of press release covering some awards, shows and special presentations.

Gallery

A few images of Melvin and of some of the music greats he has performed with during his career.

Melvin, Eddie Shaw, Jege Robinson, B.B. King and Rolf Buhron

Melvin, B.B. King and friends

Melvin and Carlos Santana

Melvin, B.B. King and friends

Promo image

Melvin's "Blues Mural" at Chicago Midway Airport

Promo image

Videos

Video footage from live shows, special video performances and promotions.

Melvin Taylor at Rosa's

From Toby Marquez @ Studio M on Vimeo

Star Spangled Blues

Matt G. director of photography

Melvin Taylor &

the Slack Band - Depression Blues

Albums and Singles

Melvin has released 9 albums and one single.

Melvin Taylor (2012) - Sweet Taste of Guitar

Melvin Taylor (2011) - One More Time (Single)

Melvin Taylor (2010) - Beyond the Burning Guitar

Melvin Taylor (2002) - Rendezvous with the Blues

Melvin Taylor (1984) - Plays the Blues For You

By the age of twelve, he was working in the clubs with other musicians much older than he was. He taught himself slide playing, finger-picking, and flat-picking styles from listening to his favorite artists, B. B. King, Albert King, and Jimi Hendrix.

"A multi-faceted guitarist that transcends genres and creates his own artistic voice. If there is such a thing of a musical happy place somewhere between "shredding" and virtuoso with the heart of a blues lion tossed in for flavor..."

"Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Tayor's music is his ability to glide all most effortlessly between genres of jazz, blues, rock and the more soulful attitude that would seem to bind his efforts together..."