J Taylor Leach — artist
Born in Texas and raised in New Jersey, J. Taylor Leach's interest in music began at a young age. Self taught until college, his "official" studies and practicing began at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, NJ. There he obtained a Liberal Arts degree, was actively involved with the music department where he was asked to perform concerts with the faculty, in addition to playing with Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic). Upon graduating, Taylor transferred his studies to William Paterson University, where he studied jazz performance and music education, and played/ studied with faculty members such as Christian McBride, Bill Charlap, David Liebman, Vincent Herring, Harold Mabern, David Demsey, James Weidman, and Cecil Bridgewater. Taylor has also studied privately with Greg "Torch" Sgrulloni, Dan Weiss, Kenny Washington, Brandon Lewis, Johnny Vadcovich, Steve Coleman, Kevin Norton, Bill Goodwin, Allen Herman, Steve Lyman, and Horace Arnold. Mr. Leach was asked to start his teaching career within months of starting college. Raritan Valley professor Steve Hudson asked him to join his teaching faculty at Hudson Music Studios as well as at his Music Camps across the tri-state area. Taylor has taught at the Octopus Music School, B Natural Music, Ben Hyman Music, the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and Steve Hudson's Music School, where he has provided master classes, workshops, group and private instruction, as well as students with special needs. Taylor currently teaches private drum and piano lessons to a wide range of students (ages 2-73). Performing in numerous bands that play a wide variety of styles/ genres, Taylor has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with world renowned artists including but not limited to Johnny O' Neal, Bernie Worrell, Gene Perla, Steve Nelson, Aaron Burnett (2x Grammy Winner) Trio/ Big Machine, Nicole Glover, Corey Wilcox, Danny Mixon, Rich Perry, Bill Mobley, Bobby Kapp, Jesse Green, Curtis Lundy, Jared Gold, Steve LaSpina, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Duane Eubanks, David Williams, Lawrence Clark, Tim Newman, Paul Meyers, Billy Johnson, Matt Savage, Dave Schumacher, Jerry Weldon, Julius Tolentino, Chris Berger, Mike Lee, David Williams, Adam J Brenner, Tim Hegarty, Vinny Valentino, Billy Johnson, Oscar Williams II, Adam Niewood, Charlie Sigler, Miki Yamanaka, Jocelyn Gould, Roberta Picket, Steve Hudson, and many others. He is also the drummer for MetaDance, a house/ techno band, and Meant 2B (a trio founded by Gene Perla). Some artists he has have the pleasure of sharing concert bills with include Philip Glass, John Zorn, Vijay Iyer, Elliot Sharp, Russell Malone, Bill Charlap, and Charles McPherson. Taylor has been a drum tech for Tyshawn Sorey, and other drummers. He leads his own trio and quartet, as well as playing as a sideman. Taylor has performed at illustrious venues such as Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center), The Green Mill (Chicago), Mezzrow, Smoke Jazz Club, Ginny's Supper Club, The Hard Rock Cafe, New Brunswick Jazz Project, Ornithology, The Lafeyette Bar, The Playboy Club, Rockwood Music Hall, The Betsy Hotel, and more. Taylor is a nationally touring artist and can be found performing and teaching regularly across the tri-state area. Taylor/ his group are available for performances at any location, and private/ group instruction. Please use the contact form with any questions.