Biography

b. 1948, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Denver, Colorado-based blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Taylor has led a chequered musical career, punctuated for long periods by his successful work as an antiques broker. He was born in Chicago but relocated to Denver following the murder of his uncle by a robber. Taylor first developed an interest in folk and blues music as a teenager, learning to play guitar, banjo, and harmonica. By his mid-twenties he had been a member of several blues rock groups, including T&O Shortline and his own Otis Taylor Blues Band, and played throughout America and Europe.
When a number of projected recordings contracts fell through in the mid-70s, Taylor opted to start a career in antiques. The success of his new line of work meant Taylor was unable to dedicate any time to music, and effectively retired from the entertainment business for nearly 20 years. He was persuaded to begin performing again by musical associate Kenny Passarelli, and in 1995 played his first gig since the mid-70s. His debut recording, Blue-Eyed Monster, was released in 1996. The album's stark lyrical themes and fascination with African-American history and mythology marked Taylor out as a challenging new voice on the northern blues scene. His interpretation of electric country blues grew even darker on subsequent releases When Negroes Walked The Earth (1997) and White African (2001), the latter the first of his albums to gain national distribution and the catalyst for his being named Best New Artist at the W.C. Handy Blues Awards. The lyrics to White African's "Saint Martha Blues" were informed by the real life lynching of Taylor's great-grandfather. Taylor's fascination with social injustice also dominated the follow-up Respect The Dead, with tracks such as "Ten Million Slaves" and "Black Witch" marking him out as one of modern blues most politically charged commentators.
Following the release of Respect The Dead, Taylor signed a new recording contract with Telarc Records and issued Truth Is Not Fiction. His second album for the label, Double V, followed in early 2004.
DISCOGRAPHY: Blue-Eyed Monster (Shoelace 1996)***, When Negroes Walked The Earth (Shoelace 1997)****, White African (Northern Blues 2001)****, Respect The Dead (Northern Blues 2002)****, Truth Is Not Fiction (Telarc 2003)***, Double V (Telarc 2004)****.

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