Click for larger imageJeff Taylor was born and raised in Kansas City. He was exposed at an early age to the history and colors of the K.C. Jazz Tradition. He started gigging at age twelve with the "AL Bronson Polka Band." Jeff was playing lead trumpet for the "Kansas City Shriner Big Band" at the age of 14, and gigging around the Kansas City area. Taylor was awarded the NAJE outstanding musician award 9 times during his high school and college years. Then awarded the outstanding lead trumpet award at the Chicago Jazz festival, Hawaiian Jazz Festival and the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. He was offered scholarships from Wichita State, University of Kansas, and Kansas State. He decided to attend the University of Kansas, where he received a full scholarship in trumpet performance. He later moved on to the University of North Texas. There he studied with the legendary trumpet teacher Don "Jake" Jacoby and excelled on lead and jazz trumpet. After a few years of intensive studies, the Clark Terry Big Band picked him up to play lead trumpet. He then went on a two-year stint of playing lead with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra where he toured all across America and Europe. While with Maynard, he did many clinics and was endorsed by Holton trumpets. He is currently a clinician for Yamaha Trumpets.

Click for larger imageJeff finally landed in Dallas, where he played with Bill Tillman (of Blood Sweat and Tears) for nearly a decade. Jeff has also taught privately, free-lanced, and has performed numerous studio dates in and around the Dallas area. He also plays lead for the Dallas Cowboy trumpets. Currently he is the leader and front man of an eight-piece horn band called Frontline and the Jeff Taylor Band that performs locally and through-out the world. Frontline had the wonderful opportunity of performing live in Tokyo Japan for the Millennium New Years Eve celebration. After the release and success of his first CD "Stella," The Jeff Taylor Band stays very busy keeping up with a rigorous performing schedule. Watch for the next CD to be released that will consist of all original material.

Jeff plays a gold plated Yamaha 6310Z trumpet with the Bobby Shew lead and jazz mouthpieces. Jeff has also had the honor of performing for former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.