Professional jazz pianist Tanner Taylor will return to Jefferson as a special guest Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, at Prairie Blue Creative Arts in Jefferson “SIRENS” featuring vocalists Jenny Wailes, Jamie Friess-Leggitt, Angie Gingery, and Nicole Friess-Schilling. The evening of song will showcase popular Broadway music and jazz.
Taylor studied under Jack Oatts and Manhattan School of Music’s Garry Dial. In 2001, he relocated from Des Moines to Minneapolis where he has become one of Minnesota’s most sought after jazz pianists.
Taylor has performed with jazz notables such as Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Lew Tabackin, David “Fathead” Newman, Steve Turre, Wycliffe Gordon, Wes “Warm Daddy” Anderson, Dick Oatts, Eric Alexander, Bobby Shew, Steve Smith, Jaleel Shaw, Delfeayo Marsalis, Barbara Morrison and Marilyn Maye. In addition, he is pianist/conductor for the Minneapolis-based vocal group “Five By Design” and performs regularly with symphony/pops orchestras all over the US and Canada.
The event starts at 8 pm each night with doors open at 7:30. Audience members are encouraged to dress for a “glamorous night on the town” and BYOB and food, if desired. Tickets are available at Home State Bank and Peoples Trust & Savings Bank in Jefferson, or by reservation: prairiebluecreativearts@gmail.com
The event will serve as a fundraiser for Prairie Blue’s continued efforts to establish federal 501(c)3 non-profit status (the organization is already registered with the state of Iowa as a not-for-profit) and begin renovations needed to become a community arts space hosting numerous art classes, showings, artist studio space and live performances.
