CT was a major influence on my life and art. I was so privileged to have studied with him as well as been thrilled and inspired by his performances over the past 48 years.

I met Cecil in the kitchen of Smalls in the early 1990's. He inspired our generation to challenge all boundaries as exemplified by his body of work. Cecil was an inspirational teacher to all of humanity as a pioneering artist, activist, and a free American.

I celebrate the life and work of Cecil Taylor, ever an inspiration, calling us to create more richly in service to music, poetry, the arts, dance -- the culture we live and love and that makes us what we are for ourselvces and for each other. 
Allan Graubard

The musical genius who changed my life in 1973 when I saw him perform for the first time. I enjoyed  the conversations we had after many performances over the years. He was the greatest and most important musician  in my life and he gave me such exciting memories during each performance I saw him..especially all my visits to NYC.I will miss him greatly. THANK YOU CECIL!

I know you are with us right now. I am wishing you peace as you transition to other planes. 
William Hooker

An uncompromising and singular artist .
An uncompromising and singular Human Being .
His gave us a new understanding of what 
music could be . Open minded , Free of boundaries .
Cecil Taylor's music has inspired generations and
will continue to inspire many more . 
                                                                         Patrick Brennan (NY. NY.)

We had some good times. When I remember Cecil,it shall be all those wee hour salons. He holding court. The steady stream of smoke,encircling the stream of conciseness emitting from his wizened tongue. Always a more interesting evening in his company. Of which for me,for a time was often. Glad you were part of my life.

Cecil came to  UW-Madison in the Spring of 1970 as a result of the Black Student Strike in 1969. One of our 13 Demands was to have a Black American Composer-Musician in the School of Music. Bruce Benward, then Chair of  the Music Dept. contacted Gunther Schuller then Head of The New England Conservatory and Gunther recommended Cecil. As a member of Cecil's Black Music Ensemble in Madison, WI during 1971, I became a more complete person through the experience of playing with and knowing him, as well as meeting all those other great musicians I got to play with and know. He was one of the world's greatest composers and musicians irrespective of the music idiom. His writings revealed his literary, philosophical, and cultural genius as to the meaning of his life and influences and leaves lessons for all of us to learn from and to execute in our daily lives.  He became a long-time friend and I'm very grateful for that. I will miss him dearly but pledge to carry those beliefs forward to make this is a better world in which to live.

The most towering figure in the progression of music in the 20th century. Cecil challenged all the norms, broke all the barriers, and left a legacy with every single artist that performed with him and every person who witnessed his genius. Thank you Cecil.

He remains a formidable lifelong influence on the way I think about music and life. Thank you.

OBITUARY

Cecil Taylor

25 March, 1929 – 5 April, 2018

Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel | Funeral & Cremation

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