Richard Kelsey Taylor

October 28, 1941 – January 4, 2026

Richard Kelsey Taylor—known to those who loved him as "Richieboy"—passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, surrounded by family. He was 84 years old. A gifted musician, devoted husband, and beloved father whose warmth touched everyone he met, Richard leaves behind a legacy of joy, laughter, and over fifty years of beautiful music.

A Hartford Beginning

Richard was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on October 28, 1941, to Rachel Williams Taylor and Richard Taylor. He grew up in Hartford during the 1940s and 1950s alongside his younger sister, Deanna, and younger brother, Robert. From his earliest days, Richard was an intellectually gifted child—naturally curious, outgoing, and possessed of an infectious sense of humor. His high school yearbook captured him perfectly: "Never disturbed by any incident, Richard has created laughter where others have failed. His friends ride with him on a pink, fleecy cloud of merriment."

While young Richard enjoyed playing little league baseball at Waverly Field, his true passion was music. Following in the footsteps of his father—a well-known trumpet player who led his own band and served as President of the Hartford Jazz Society—Richard dedicated himself to the piano with remarkable determination. His father, understanding what it would take to become a professional musician, offered Richard classical piano lessons with one condition: once he began, he could not stop. Richard agreed, and he never did.

At just five years old, Richard received a brand new spinet piano—a gift his father worked extra jobs to provide. At seven, he began formal classical training at the Hartt College and School of Music. By high school, he had mastered the upright bass and organ as well. His father's wisdom echoed throughout Richard's life: talent alone would not guarantee success, but with hard work, passion, and dedication, anyone could reach greatness through sheer will.

A Life in Music

Richard's professional music career began while he was still a teenager in Hartford, where he performed with groups like The Love Tones and The Sharptones, played piano at local venues including the Penguin Club, and lent his musical talents to Shiloh Baptist

Church and the Christ Church Cathedral Choir. At just twelve years old, he accompanied actress Gwendolyn Reed—best known as the face of Aunt Jemima for Quaker Oats—at city and county fairs. In his father's world, Richard encountered many legendary Black musicians who stayed at their family home during Hartford Jazz Society concerts, as hotels of that era were not welcoming to Black performers.

Richard's pioneering spirit could not be contained by Hartford's borders. In late 1971, shortly before his thirtieth birthday, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams as a full-time professional musician. His talents were undeniable, and he quickly established himself throughout Southern California—playing with the Kerry Campbell Quartet, the Bobby Smith Trio, the Gil Bernal Trio, and eventually forming the Richard Taylor Trio. He later performed with the legendary Jimmy Witherspoon Trio and joined Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans, where he remained until his retirement in 2012.

Music carried Richard around the world. In 1990, he toured Japan for nearly a year—a transformative experience that marked his first journey beyond the continent. In 1999, he joined Ray Charles on his European Tour, performing at the prestigious Pori Jazz Festival in Finland and festivals throughout France and Italy. He played at the 2004 Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles and became a beloved fixture at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. Over his remarkable career spanning more than fifty years, Richard shared stages with Ray Charles, B.B. King, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Johnny Hammond Smith, Jake Porter, Joey Morant, and countless other luminaries.

Love and Family

In 1974, at a house party hosted by his friend's wife, Ozell, Richard met Geraldine Hayes—a brilliant woman who had just completed her Master's degree at the University of Michigan. Though Geraldine had planned to move to New York City to begin her career, she became captivated by both Richard and the California lifestyle. When her father cautioned that she was "leaving a job to go to no job" and, worse, to be with "a musician," Geraldine's own pioneering spirit proved undeterred. She drove cross-country to meet her destiny.

Richard and Geraldine married on May 22, 1981, at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together they built a beautiful life, welcoming son Jordan Hayes Taylor in 1984 and daughter Amani Rachel Taylor in 1988. They made their home in Diamond Bar, California, where they resided for nearly 39 years. Richard was also the proud father of his eldest son, Richard Kelsey Taylor Jr., born in 1964.

The Man We Loved

Richard was beloved by all and loved almost everyone in return. His family affectionately called him the unofficial mayor of Diamond Bar, for he had the gift of genuine connection. He could lose himself just as easily in conversation with a bank teller or dry cleaner as he could with fellow musicians or entertainers. He deeply respected and delighted in learning about other cultures, languages, and ways of life.

A natural entertainer and showman until the end, Richard loved to tell jokes—especially the groan-inducing dad variety—and pull pranks that left everyone laughing. He was a kind man who rarely spoke negatively about anyone. The only exception: poor musicianship, which hurt his ears and heart too much to let pass without comment. He was a true professional of the craft and expected the same respect for music from others.

As a father, Richard struck that rare and perfect balance of authority figure, coach, friend, and inspiration. He was, in every sense, the definition of "Best Dad Ever." As he grew older, Richard remained effortlessly cool—embracing rather than rejecting the music of younger generations. He listened to 2Pac, Biggie, Snoop, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent with genuine appreciation, respecting their contributions to music. He enjoyed 50 Cent's "21 Questions" so much that he regularly performed his own acoustic arrangement at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

Richard was a devoted fan of the Los Angeles Lakers—if they won, his sunny disposition grew even brighter; if they lost, he had extensive notes on their improvement. He loved action movies, especially those featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and later Donnie Yen and Jason Statham. The bigger the explosions, the better—though his family fondly recalls how often he fell asleep before the final credits rolled.

Faith and Legacy

Richard was a devoted Christian—a child of God who loved the Lord. He fought courageously for nearly three decades in a private battle with heart disease, and later Parkinson's disease and dementia, never losing his essential warmth and spirit.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Geraldine Hayes Taylor; his parents, Richard and Rachel Taylor; and his brother, Robert Taylor.

Richard is survived by his sister, Deanna Frazier, and brother-in-law, Matthew Frazier; his sons, Richard Kelsey Taylor Jr. and Jordan Hayes Taylor; his daughter, Amani Rachel Taylor; his daughters-in-law, Estelle Taylor and Elaine Sunmi Kwon; his grandson, William Wolf Taylor; and his goddaughter, Robin Fierro.

Richard's father once said, "Someone cannot put money in your hand if you have a closed fist." Richard lived with open hands and an open heart—giving freely of his talent, his time, his humor, and his love. The world was richer for having known him, and heaven's band has gained a master musician.

Rest in peace, Richieboy. We will miss you always