September 15th see the appointment and celebration of the 2026 National Endowment for the Arts – Jazz Masters in the class of 2026. Among those this year is CTI All-Star, Airto Moreira [1]https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/airto-moreira. Airto Moreira is one of the most influential percussionists in the history of modern jazz, a musician whose imagination reshaped the role of rhythm in contemporary music. […]
Exploring CTI and A&M: CTI Album Mix Tracks Vol. 2
Volume 2 of the CTI Albums mix features one track from each of the 14x albums produced by Creed Taylor for A&M Records, showcasing a blend of vinyl recordings to end out the series. Noteworthy highlights include dual versions of some tracks and the involvement of various artists, primarily George Benson, who adds depth to the collection. This mix marks a transition in Taylor’s production style, reflecting evolving musical trends.
Exploring CTI and A&M: Creed Taylor’s Musical Journey
Today marks the 97th birthday of Creed Taylor, a pioneering figure in jazz‑infused popular music during his tenure at A&M Records. Doug Payne’s comprehensive article on Taylor’s CTI productions is featured here, accompanied by a vinyl mix showcasing tracks from the first fifteen CTI/A&M albums produced by Creed Taylor.
Creed Taylor: The Man Who Put Jazz On The Pop Charts
David Sutter’s authorized biography of Creed Taylor is now available for pre-order, set for release on October 29, 2026. The book details Taylor’s influential role in jazz history, drawing on extensive research and interviews. Pre-orders are available in multiple countries, with formats including hardback, eBook, and audiobook.
OTD: George Benson Paid His Jazz Dues
Today marks George Benson’s 83rd birthday; George was born March 22, 1943 [1]Richard S. Ginell. “George Benson: Biography & History”. AllMusic [2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Benson. He more than earned his dues by the time he first went into the studio for his first album with Creed Taylor, recorded in August, September, and October of 1968. Over the next nine years, Creed would produce some ten […]
OTD: “Exciting Quintet in Town”
On this day, December 13th, 1970 – Herbie Mann was at the “Both/And” club in San Francisco. The nightclub focused on jazz at 350 Divisadero Street, with the neighboring Harding Theater [1]https://hoodline.com/2014/06/the-lost-jazz-clubs-of-divisadero/. They had been home to the Tina Turner Revue and Miles Davis. In early 1971, both Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard would appear in the club. Herbie Mann […]
Melting Pot – Creed Taylor Month 2025
Melting Pot, Kim Paris’ show on Freeform Portland radio will feature a CTI Special this Sunday ready for September, Creed Taylor month. Details and links inside.
On This Day: Pete Turner’s Birthday
Today marks Pete Turner’s birthday; he was born on May 30th, 1934. Pete lived until he was 83. Pete was hugely influential in the photography field, way beyond the beautiful photographs that Creed used for his album covers starting in 1959.
Pete was one of the people whose images drove the stock image revolution. In those days large catalogues of stock images were published and held by newspapers, marketing and ad agencies, and magazines. Some were fixed price, others priced by license.
On This Day: Wes Montgomery Wins Grammy Award, 1967
Wes Montgomery won a Grammy for “Goin’ Out Of My Head” at the 9th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 1967, transforming his career. Produced by Creed Taylor, the track achieved commercial success, reaching #7 on the Billboard R&B chart. Despite criticisms of “selling out,” Montgomery remained true to his artistry until his untimely death in 1968.
Creed Taylor Month 2024
Creed Taylor Month, established by A&M CTI in 1968, celebrates the influential music producer Creed Taylor. This year features a 1994 audio interview with Taylor by Michael Jarrett, detailing his craftsmanship in album production. Jarrett, a retired music scholar, contributed to various music publications, highlighting Taylor’s significant role in jazz.
Chet ‘live in ’75
I was prompted to write this post after Doug Payne wrote about the Creed Taylor produced, Chet Baker, comeback album. It’s such an interesting review I wanted to make sure you’d seen it. Chet Baker first entered the popular zeitgeist in 1952 for a trumpet solo on a Gerry Mulligan recording of “My Funny Valentine”. Some 20-years later, Baker would […]
Tamiko Jones – More Than A Woman
Even 50 years on, Jones’ vocal tracks continue to attract remixes and edits.
As far as I’m able to establish, today, July 15th, is Tamiko Jones’ birthday. This month also marks 56 years since the announcement that Tamiko Jones had been signed by A&M and that Creed Taylor would produce an album ((Billboard July 6th, 1968)). Later the same month, the first single “Ya Ya” was released on A&M/CTI and described by Billboard as “her most commercial entry to date. A solid dance beat backs the catchy material and she grooves with it all the way through with a rocking Artie Butler arrangement”
Creed Taylor in 1979
Today marks what would have been the 95th birthday of Creed Taylor, a producer celebrated for his subtle yet impactful influence in the jazz music industry. Despite facing significant challenges, including CTI’s bankruptcy in 1978, Taylor’s dedication to crossover music has left a lasting legacy, exemplified by his nurturing of artists like Wes Montgomery. His approach, blending commercial elements with jazz, aimed to broaden the genre’s appeal without compromising its essence, a reflection of his deep commitment to both the art and its artists.
Thumb Produces Green for Wes Montgomery
On this day in 1923, jazz guitarist #WesMontgomery was born, known for his successful crossover from jazz to popular music. Before his death, he played a multi-night gig at the Living Room in Cincinnati, revealing a lucrative shift to commercial music without forgoing his jazz roots, supported by a quintet featuring his brothers.
His innovative playing, transcending genre boundaries, appealed to varied music followers, cementing his legacy. Wes Montgomery’s defining success and distinctive style were celebrated up until his performances just months before he passed away.
The Paul Desmond Album That Was CTI and Isn’t
With the Grammys coming up, I thought it a good time to take a first look at Paul Desmond’s career and his association with CTI Records, along with a discussion about his albums and Grammy nominations. I also apparently have some work to do on Wikipedia inaccuracies but mostly this is a look at Desmond’s non-CTI A&M recording and Grammy nominated “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Remembering Creed Taylor On His Born Day
It’s late on May13th, 2023. I didn’t want today to pass without remembering Creed Taylor on the anniversary of his birth in 1929. The feedback, comments and subscriptions to this website from social media have far exceeded the original number I thought might be interested in Creed Taylor’s work. More than 2,000 receive notifications and emails for each post. I’m […]