Pianist and jazz promoter Billy Taylor dies aged 89

December 30th, 2010 - 1:36 pm ICT by ANI  

London, Dec 30 (ANI): Billy Taylor, a jazz pianist and composer, has died in Manhattan at the age of 89.

His wife, Theodora Taylor, said that the cause of death was a heart attack, reports the Telegraph.

Though he had a noteworthy career as a musician, Taylor was probably best known as a jazz advocate.

He was the first black to lead a television studio orchestra in the 1950s. He founded Jazzmobile in the 1960s to bring free music to urban neighbourhoods.

He was host of a popular jazz show on America’s National Public Radio, and he profiled musicians for CBS’ “Sunday Morning” show. (ANI)

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