The Billy Taylor Collection (Artists Piano Transcriptions) Paperback – January 1, 1999

If only I could channel Dr. Taylor! His music is wonderful, and I'm glad its written, but I don't really have the right feel, yet. But I'm working on it!

I love jazz and Billy Taylor is my favorite pianist. He not only went to the same college as I did but the had the same theory professor, Dr. Undine Moore! Great collection.

Song List: A Bientot All The Things You Are (from VERY WARM FOR MAY) For Undine Gone With The Wind I Didn't Know What Time It Was (from TOO MANY GIRLS) I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free Make A Joyful Noise (Suite) A Tune For Howard To Improvise Upon Uncle Bob

Billy Taylor was a great musician and writer, but in many ways his contributions musically to Jazz were dwarfed by the ways he promoted music through teaching. As an intermediate pianist this collection of pieces is challenging musically. The challenge is clearly worth the time and effort. I am fortunate enough to have many of these pieces on CD and find it useful to refer to them as I play. If you love piano jazz and specifically Billy Taylor, this is well worth the money.

I bought this as I have long been after a transcription of " I wish I knew...". Sadly the transcription here is not the famous version* used on the BBC film program for decades. Theres nothing wrong with the version here, but its different, and I can't find a recording on CD it.However the rest of the book is good. A number of other interesting Billy Taylor originals as well as some standards. Its worth noting that he uses tenths quite a lot, so if you struggle beyond an octave with your left-hand you'll have to compromise somewhere.The Book contains:A BientotAll the Things You areFor UndineGone with the windI Didn't Know What Time It wasI Wish I Knew How...Make A Joyful Noise (suite of pieces)A Tune for Howard to Improvise OnUncle BobMost of these pieces are the versions from his solo Piano album "Billy Taylor: Solo", so you can hear what they should sound like.In classical terms the pieces range in standard from grade 5 upwards, with the average probably being grade 7. Of course this is a book of jazz transcriptions so reading the notes won't make it sound right unless you have a feel for the music.*Subsequently I found you can get the famous version of "I Wish I Knew...." from a number of digital sheet music sites, and I now have a copy.