jason

taylor

Jason Taylor knows a thing or two about the joys of performing. A Yamaha clinician since 1991, he credits his mother for sparking his initial interest in the vibraphone. "I heard this instrument playing on the radio and I asked my mom what that was," Taylor says. "She said she used to go and watch Lionel Hampton's big band play at the Apollo Theater a long time ago. I was interested in finding out about this guy because my mother liked him, so I investigated and went to hear him play. I was hypnotized by his ability to play the vibraphone. I didn't realize then that I would one day be called up from college to play with him."

Taylor became Hampton's protégé while attending college. Under Hampton's guidance, he learned firsthand the ins and outs of being a musician and performed alongside some legendary singers while traveling the globe. It was a riveting four years that introduced him to many influential people from all genres. "Here I was sitting in a recording session with Frank Sinatra one day, performing for former President George Bush's inauguration on another day, and having lunch with Bill Cosby and Benny Goodman the next," he says of the whirlwind time.

While spending time with Hampton, Taylor began to appreciate how life-transforming music could be. The recent death of Taylor's mentor hit him hard. "I could go on for days about how upset it made me," he says. "I was truly comforted by the outpouring of support and to know that Lionel touched so many people's lives with his talent. He was a legend in the music world."

"This is one of the key ways we have of keeping real music alive-by introducing instruments and jazz to kids." -Jason Taylor

Taylor had dreams of someday offering children a place where they could learn about the legends he was lucky enough to meet. He also hoped to be able to introduce adults to the pleasures jazz had brought him, much like those Hampton had introduced to him. "It was my dream to have a place that could offer adults the opportunity to come in, dress well, eat well, and enjoy traditional jazz music," he says.

Taylor's dream came to life when he joined forces with the Berger Organization and Newark, New Jersey Mayor Sharpe James to open Mallet's Place. Originally looking to house just his record company in a 10-story historical building next door to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in the heart of Newark, Taylor combined efforts to develop the innovative jazz cabaret. He thought it would be a great opportunity for the people of Newark. "We concentrated on it for about a year, and had a stage built and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system put in," says Taylor.

Opening night in December 2001 was a tremendous success, with crowds packing the house for two shows-convincing Taylor of the importance of reinvigorating the arts. Since then, a variety of talent has graced the stage at Mallet's Place, including big bands, Latin jazz bands, and contemporary jazz performers.

Taylor says more and more people are learning to appreciate jazz through the club, and he is now focusing on bringing his message to the children of Newark. Recently a group of 75 children came to Mallet's Place to learn what inspired Taylor at such a young age to follow his musical dreams. "I just did my first Saturday clinic there and it went over so successfully," he says. "The kids got a chance to see me present percussion instruments. We've decided to make it an annual event due to its success."

Mallet's Place continues to thrive-with the one-year anniversary is just around the corner. Plans are already underway to record a live CD there, which will be released sometime next spring. People of all ages are taking an interest in jazz because of Mallet's Place, and Taylor has many new ideas for the upcoming year. "This cabaret is one of the key ways we have of keeping real music alive," he says, "by introducing instruments and jazz to kids of today and tomorrow."