Connect with Larry

Fans Enjoy Soft Chicago Premiere of "The Rhythm and the Blues" 

 

 

 

Larry and his sister Brenda, and Leon the actor, were on hand March 4 at Chicago's CineCity viewing theater for the soft premiere of “The Rhythm and the Blues.”  Producer/Director Darryl Pitts told the enthusiastic crowd, “This is just the beginning!”  Actors Greg Ging and Dev Kennedy, pllaying the music industry bad guys, drew playful boos during the Q& A session after the movie.

Pictured is Larry Taylor, right, with Bonni McKeown, original script writer, and Leon.

Pan African Film Fest to Screen Taylor family story "The Rhythm and the Blues" 

Actor Leon and actor/musician Guy Davis capture the audience in this 1960s period film based on Larry Taylor's story about his musical family.   The feature film, in production since 2015, produced and directed by Darryl Pitts, is to be screened in the February 2024 Pan African Arts and Film Festival in L.A..  Bonni McKeown is the initial screenwriter and producer.  Check out the trailer HERE .

Taylor Family album wins Global Music Award 

 

Growing up in a house filled with postwar blues masters, plus grounding in Chicago Public School music programs during the 1960s and 70s, has paid off for Larry Taylor, producer of the Taylor family CD “Generations of Blues” on Nola-Blue Records. Global Music Awards has given the album a 2023 Silver Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Global awards are not based on popularity, but rather on “creativity and quality of musical craft.”  The awards span all genres, from classical to indigenous, jazz to modern…

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Larry's new Individual Arts Project: Blues Bizness Boosters 

Beginning in winter of 2023-24  Larry plans some cooperative shows with neighborhood businesses and music venues, thanks to a Chicago Dept. of Cultural and Special Events grant he was awarded June 20. Larry's Individual Arts Project, one of several dozen given by DCASE, will be known as “Blues Bizness Boosters.” More info to come.  In the 2020-21 round of these DCASE grants, Larry and fellow blues singer Katherine Davis were named as two of 13 “Esteemed Artists” in all arts disciplines. Its nice to be…

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Larry and siblings to lead Antone's 100th birthday party for Eddie Taylor  

At Antone’s club in the music city of Austin, TX : master Chicago blues guitarist Eddie Taylor Sr. brought the place down in the 1980s. His kids plan to do the same for his 100th heavenly birthday  Jan. 27, 2023.  Featuring Larry and siblings: singers Brenda, Edna and Demetria, brother Tim on drums with very special guest John Primer on guitar, special guest Steve Bell on harp, and others.  Also in memory of Vera Taylor and Eddie Taylor Jr.    Get tickets early!

Blues Under the Big Sky 

Larry and keyboard player Barrelhouse Bonni joined with a band from Washington state and Montana to bring traditional Chicago blues sounds to the Big Sky Rhythm and Blues Fest on Aug.5-7, 2022.  Many thanks to fest director Lorne Riddell for bringing the Fest back after Corona.  The Rocky Mountains and big skies brought a breath of fresh air to this Chicago bluesman.

Bringing Back Blues in Austin West Side 

Blues never really left Chicago's West Side, but the music has been heard less often with the gradual closing of many small Black owned hole-in-the-wall lounges and the economic blows of Corona.  Thanks to grants from Chicago's Dept. of Culture and Special Events, Larry has been able to present a series of free neighborhood concerts through summer and fall 2022.  Sponsors have included St. Martin's Episcopal Church, the nonprofit Chicago Austin Youth Travel Events and Austin Town Hall Park.  The series…

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