Taylor Watson has been playing and teaching diverse styles of music for many years.  After studying jazz guitar and political science at Oberlin College (with a semester studying Spanish music in Granada, Spain), he relocated to San Francisco, California and formed the Latin jazz group Cafe Con Leche. His first jazz release as a leader, Places, Faces, Embraces, finds him alongside some of NYC’s best young musicians playing mostly original compositions. Since 2010, he has performed around the hemisphere with his modern Cuban ensemble Son De Brooklyn.

 

Taylor primarily plays guitar and the tres, the signature stringed instrument of Cuba.  Performance credits include gigs with his former employer Jazz at Lincoln Center Webop! band, as well as with jazz legends Freddie Hubbard, Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, and Wynton Marsalis. He has also recorded, played and studied with some of Latin music's luminaries:  Cuba’s famed Septeto Santiaguero and Septeto Habanero,  Manny Oquendo's Libre, Jerry Gonzalez (Fort Apache), Paquito d' Rivera (Irakere),  Rebeca Mauleon (Author of the Salsa Guidebook), Peruchin Nieto (Ng La Banda) Conjunto Chappotin (Havana, Cuba) and renowned tres players Nelson Gonzalez and Renesito Avich, both mentors on this difficult instrument.

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In addition to his active performing schedule, Taylor teaches extensively through New York City.  He possesses a Masters of Music Education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, which, combined with his extensive experience in jazz and Latin music, enriches his instruction of New York City's young people.