Jason Malletman Taylor
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Jason Malletman Taylor

Wayne, New Jersey, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE | AFM

Wayne, New Jersey, United States | INDIE | AFM
Established on Jan, 2014
Band R&B Jazz

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Music

Press


"Hillside Hobnobber Turns Lessons from Jazz Greats into 'Vibrafunk'"

By DANIELLE Y. HATCHETT

Jason Taylor has rubbed shoulders with Lionel Hampton, Branford Marsalis and Bill Cosby, and now he hopes some of their success will rub off. Taylor is a vibraphonist from Hillside who is out to make his mark on the jazz scene. He has termed his music "vibrafunk," describing it as "the sound of a vibraphone smacked together with the thumping of a bass guitar."

`I want my music to touch People’s souls. When they leave one of my shows, I want them to realize that there is a lot of great Talent out there to be recognized. - Jason Taylor, Musician

Taylor, who has been in the music business for 18 years, was first introduced to it at the age of 13 by his mother. "The drums. Were my first instrument. My mother wanted me to learn how to play them and get into music to keep me off of the streets." Fate took a twist in Taylor's life one night while he was listening to WRVR, a New York jazz station. It featured a vibraphone marathon with the famed Lionel Hampton. Taylor immediately decided that the vibraphone was the instrument he would "fall in love with."
Taylor then took some college courses as music

Major at the Berkeley College of Music in Boston where he became friends with Branford Marsalis. Marsalis gave him the nickname "Malletman." He later became a protégé of Hampton, traveling with and studying under him for three years. Taylor remembers that while playing with Hampton, he was "frequently surrounded by celebrities. Ninety two percent of the shows I did with Hampton had notable people in the audience."

In France, at a show he was doing with Hampton in Nice, Taylor finally realized it was time to strike out on his own. It was a famous celebrity and his wife who gave Taylor this advice. "Bill Cosby and his wife were backstage when I finished," Taylor recalled. "I told them what my problem was and Cosby told me to 'spread my wings and fly."' From the Apollo Theater in Harlem to playing regularly for Newark Mayor Sharpe James, Taylor is making a: name for himself. He has a four member band that has been with him for four months. Darryl Covington and Larry Ransome are his drummers, with Misha Piatigorsky on keys Board and Bill Grant on bass guitar.

"We work together very well. They enjoy being able to do what they want, as long as it is within my structure," Taylor; said. They have performed at such nightclubs as the Peppermint Lounge and Top Brass.

Taylor's next performance is tomorrow, sponsored ht the Newark Jazz Festival in conjunction with Pathmark Supermarkets. It's being held at Pathmark on Bergen and Orange streets in Newark, from 6 to 8 p.m. "Jason is well known in the metropolitan area. We full anticipate him signing with a major recording studio and touring all over the world," said Monte Ehrenkranz, his manager of two years. Although Ehrenkranz admits that he is not a big jazz an, he enjoys Taylor's music because he "incorporates a lot of different music into his own special type of jazz." Joe Robertazzi, vice president of Triple A Airfreight Co., where Taylor works in accounting, supports Taylor's music career. "We understand where Jason's passion is. We don't want to hold him back. All of us in the office go to all of his shows."

Taylor released one album in 1990 and has a record company, Mallet Records, with his brother in law partner, Richard Albert. "I want my music to touch people's souls. When they leave one of my shows, I want them to realize that there is a lot of great talent out there to be recognized. It's not all about rapping and singing," said the former singer. "There's so much more in the world of music."
- Star Ledger, Friday July 15, 1994


"Hillside Hobnobber Turns Lessons from Jazz Greats into 'Vibrafunk'"

By DANIELLE Y. HATCHETT

Jason Taylor has rubbed shoulders with Lionel Hampton, Branford Marsalis and Bill Cosby, and now he hopes some of their success will rub off. Taylor is a vibraphonist from Hillside who is out to make his mark on the jazz scene. He has termed his music "vibrafunk," describing it as "the sound of a vibraphone smacked together with the thumping of a bass guitar."

`I want my music to touch People’s souls. When they leave one of my shows, I want them to realize that there is a lot of great Talent out there to be recognized. - Jason Taylor, Musician

Taylor, who has been in the music business for 18 years, was first introduced to it at the age of 13 by his mother. "The drums. Were my first instrument. My mother wanted me to learn how to play them and get into music to keep me off of the streets." Fate took a twist in Taylor's life one night while he was listening to WRVR, a New York jazz station. It featured a vibraphone marathon with the famed Lionel Hampton. Taylor immediately decided that the vibraphone was the instrument he would "fall in love with."
Taylor then took some college courses as music

Major at the Berkeley College of Music in Boston where he became friends with Branford Marsalis. Marsalis gave him the nickname "Malletman." He later became a protégé of Hampton, traveling with and studying under him for three years. Taylor remembers that while playing with Hampton, he was "frequently surrounded by celebrities. Ninety two percent of the shows I did with Hampton had notable people in the audience."

In France, at a show he was doing with Hampton in Nice, Taylor finally realized it was time to strike out on his own. It was a famous celebrity and his wife who gave Taylor this advice. "Bill Cosby and his wife were backstage when I finished," Taylor recalled. "I told them what my problem was and Cosby told me to 'spread my wings and fly."' From the Apollo Theater in Harlem to playing regularly for Newark Mayor Sharpe James, Taylor is making a: name for himself. He has a four member band that has been with him for four months. Darryl Covington and Larry Ransome are his drummers, with Misha Piatigorsky on keys Board and Bill Grant on bass guitar.

"We work together very well. They enjoy being able to do what they want, as long as it is within my structure," Taylor; said. They have performed at such nightclubs as the Peppermint Lounge and Top Brass.

Taylor's next performance is tomorrow, sponsored ht the Newark Jazz Festival in conjunction with Pathmark Supermarkets. It's being held at Pathmark on Bergen and Orange streets in Newark, from 6 to 8 p.m. "Jason is well known in the metropolitan area. We full anticipate him signing with a major recording studio and touring all over the world," said Monte Ehrenkranz, his manager of two years. Although Ehrenkranz admits that he is not a big jazz an, he enjoys Taylor's music because he "incorporates a lot of different music into his own special type of jazz." Joe Robertazzi, vice president of Triple A Airfreight Co., where Taylor works in accounting, supports Taylor's music career. "We understand where Jason's passion is. We don't want to hold him back. All of us in the office go to all of his shows."

Taylor released one album in 1990 and has a record company, Mallet Records, with his brother in law partner, Richard Albert. "I want my music to touch people's souls. When they leave one of my shows, I want them to realize that there is a lot of great talent out there to be recognized. It's not all about rapping and singing," said the former singer. "There's so much more in the world of music."
- Star Ledger, Friday July 15, 1994


"Mallet's Place Strikes a Blow for Cabaret"

BY George Kanzler

This weekend, Jason "Malletman" Taylor, the. Man for whom the place is named, twill be performing at' wt's Place; Newark's latest downtown nigh;
"The mission of" Place is to Keep real music alive fields of Jazz and old school R&B;' Taylor Sails. "Real music that gives real Instrumentalists; a chance to show
What they've got. The DJs have done their thing. The hip hoppers have done their thing. Now. We need to bring back what's real music."

By day, Mallet's Place is the lobby of 10 Park Place (Sarah Vaughan Way), the old Fireman's Insurance Co. office building next door to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. On weekend nights it is transformed into a spacious nightclub with a two story ceiling and table and bar seating for nearly 200.

"I like to call it a cabaret, since 'club' in Newark suggests DJs and dancing, and we don't have either," Taylor Says. Mallet's Place boasts a large stage, an impressive Yamaha sound system (Yamaha is a corporate sponsor) and a state of the art computerized lighting system. The club has arranged for free parking for patrons at an attended lot a block and half away on Fulton Street (see the doorman for details). The venue is backed by Taylor's major partner in the venture, Newark real estate mogul Miles Berger, who owns the building.

Taylor, 39, has been a New Jersey resident (he currently lives in Pompton Lakes) since the mid1980's when he left the employ of jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. He worked as Hampton's valet, became his protégé and played in Hamp's big band for three years in the early 1980s.

"Hump was my heart," says Taylor of his tame with the jazz legend, who is now 93 and in poor health. "His energy and swing will always be an inspiration for me."
Taylor hopes to be able to showcase other jazz Malletman musicians who play the xylophone family of instruments including vibraharp, vibraphone and marimba at the club.

"All the other jazz instruments have had their turns. There's a Trumpets in Montclair. Now we have a Mallet's Place in Newark I want to bring in other mallet players too, especially New Jerseyans like Stefon Harris, who lives in Newark and was just nominated for a Grammy, and New Brunswick's Steve Nelson."

Taylor's Malletman Band, which is playing this weekend, brings the high energy and showmanship of old school R&B together with swinging jazz improvisation. The band includes a saxophonist, James Kelly, and a singer, Calvin Rock, who also plays keyboards. Also on keyboards is Tom Webber, the bassist is Baba Karade, and guitarist Mike Daniels is the band's musical director.

"I also have two drummers, Keith Hollis and David Jorge, who I like a lot. Sometimes I use both of them and boy .does the band swing," Taylor says.
Next weekend, Mallet's Place will feature two R&B vocal groups, BJ and, 40. Plus and the Silver Stars.
- Star Ledger, Friday, January 11, 2002


"Mallet's Place Strikes a Blow for Cabaret"

BY George Kanzler

This weekend, Jason "Malletman" Taylor, the. Man for whom the place is named, twill be performing at' wt's Place; Newark's latest downtown nigh;
"The mission of" Place is to Keep real music alive fields of Jazz and old school R&B;' Taylor Sails. "Real music that gives real Instrumentalists; a chance to show
What they've got. The DJs have done their thing. The hip hoppers have done their thing. Now. We need to bring back what's real music."

By day, Mallet's Place is the lobby of 10 Park Place (Sarah Vaughan Way), the old Fireman's Insurance Co. office building next door to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. On weekend nights it is transformed into a spacious nightclub with a two story ceiling and table and bar seating for nearly 200.

"I like to call it a cabaret, since 'club' in Newark suggests DJs and dancing, and we don't have either," Taylor Says. Mallet's Place boasts a large stage, an impressive Yamaha sound system (Yamaha is a corporate sponsor) and a state of the art computerized lighting system. The club has arranged for free parking for patrons at an attended lot a block and half away on Fulton Street (see the doorman for details). The venue is backed by Taylor's major partner in the venture, Newark real estate mogul Miles Berger, who owns the building.

Taylor, 39, has been a New Jersey resident (he currently lives in Pompton Lakes) since the mid1980's when he left the employ of jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. He worked as Hampton's valet, became his protégé and played in Hamp's big band for three years in the early 1980s.

"Hump was my heart," says Taylor of his tame with the jazz legend, who is now 93 and in poor health. "His energy and swing will always be an inspiration for me."
Taylor hopes to be able to showcase other jazz Malletman musicians who play the xylophone family of instruments including vibraharp, vibraphone and marimba at the club.

"All the other jazz instruments have had their turns. There's a Trumpets in Montclair. Now we have a Mallet's Place in Newark I want to bring in other mallet players too, especially New Jerseyans like Stefon Harris, who lives in Newark and was just nominated for a Grammy, and New Brunswick's Steve Nelson."

Taylor's Malletman Band, which is playing this weekend, brings the high energy and showmanship of old school R&B together with swinging jazz improvisation. The band includes a saxophonist, James Kelly, and a singer, Calvin Rock, who also plays keyboards. Also on keyboards is Tom Webber, the bassist is Baba Karade, and guitarist Mike Daniels is the band's musical director.

"I also have two drummers, Keith Hollis and David Jorge, who I like a lot. Sometimes I use both of them and boy .does the band swing," Taylor says.
Next weekend, Mallet's Place will feature two R&B vocal groups, BJ and, 40. Plus and the Silver Stars.
- Star Ledger, Friday, January 11, 2002


Discography

Jason “Malletman” Taylor is known for his unique presentation of Jazz, R&B and Swing, creating a signature sound that is all his own, which he calls “Vibrafunk.”
Taylor’s CD single, “Live at Mallet’s Place” (2005) features “Once Upon a Mallet,” a lively original composition, along with a seductive version of the jazz standard, “Misty.”

Taylor's Latest project is a DVD entitled "The Mallet Code",This is his first ever instructional dvd introducing
how to play the vibraphone.(2013)

“Live at Mallet’s Place” (2005)

“Love Attack” (The Remix) (2000)

“Vibrafunk” (1999)

“Xmas Jam” (1997)
(Contains “The Christmas Song” for which Taylor was a Grammy ballot-nominee in the Best Jazz Instrumental Solo category)

“Color By Mallets” (1995)

“Love Attack” (1990)

“Good Grief” (1986)

“Once Upon a Mallet” (1984)

“Sunkist Vibes” (1983)

Photos

Bio

Jason Malletman Taylor grew up in Brooklyn, NY listening to Lionel Hamptons music. His curiosity was sparked by his mother, who was a fan of Hamptons and would go see him perform at the Apollo Theater. This made Taylor interested in finding out more. However, he played the drums and xylophone before he eventually went on to play the vibraphone, which he describes as being the most beautiful sounding instrument. He became dedicated to mastering the vibe just like the late Hampton, who was so impressed during his first meeting with Taylor in 1981 that he took the young Malletman as his protg and became his mentor. In addition to touring with the legendary Hampton and his 18-piece band, Taylor also lived with Hampton and received the kind of personal training and experience that can only be described as priceless. Taylor toured the U.S. and Europe with Hampton, which ended with the two of them playing at Disneyland in 1985. It was during that time when Malletman formed Mallet Records, a record company dedicated to its mission of Keeping Real Music Alive.

1985 was also the year that Malletman flew away from Hamptons nest and began promoting his first recording, Once Upon a Mallet (1984) which caught the attention of quite a few people. In 1986, Malletman released his sophomore recording, Good Grief/My Destiny after which, Taylor returned to his true love - performing. Over the years to follow, he developed his unique live show into one that awed audiences and critics alike. As the 1980s ended, Taylor released the successful Love Attack which featured the singles, Love Attack and Pick Me Up. Love Attack (The Remix) was number 24 on the Lets Dance! Record Pool Urban Chart in December 2000, placing higher than singles by artists such as Outkast, Lil Kim, Eminem and Erykah Badu. Malletman went on to record other releases. Taylor is a five-time Grammy ballot-nominee. His nominations include Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for The Christmas Song (1998). His current CD single, Live at Mallets Place (2005) features Once Upon a Mallet, a lively original composition, along with a seductive version of the jazz standard, Misty. He is currently working his next release, which will offer at least 10 tunes.

Malletman is known for his unique presentation of Jazz, R&B; and Swing, creating a signature sound that is all his own, which he calls Vibrafunk. He has been in the company of such greats as Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, George Clinton, James Brown, Branford Marsalis, Steve Washington, B.B. King and Bill Cosby, who is a well-known jazz fan. Taylor has opened up & or performed with: Tito Puente jr.,Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (currently),Earth Wind and Fire (2003), Isaac Hayes (2002), Pancho Sanchez (2000), The Manhattans (1996), Najee (1996), Paquito DRivera (1996), Pieces of a Dream (1996),,.

Taylor teamed up with the Berger Organization and New Jersey Mayor, Sharpe James to open up Mallets Place, a jazz club that launched as a tremendous success in December 2001, whose patrons included Taylors mentor, the late Lionel Hampton and John Amos (Good Times). The club operated until 2003. Taylor also used the venue for special childrens events to generate their interest in jazz and educate them about the music that serves as a foundation and inspiration for the music they enjoy today.

Taylor became a Yamaha artist and clinician in 1991. He presents music clinics throughout the United States to schools, colleges and churches where he shares his experience and teaches about percussion instruments.

Mike Balter Mallets, an Illinois-based mallet company, honored Taylor with his very own signature mallet in June 2005.

Malletman continues to perform with his 5-piece band. He became the first artist to play at Bed Bath & Beyond stores with his Mini Holiday Tour, which ran between September November in 2004 and 2005.

Taylors music attracts people of all ages. He is currently working on his television show, Mallets Place TV which began airing in May 2006 on Time Warner Cables local access channels 34 and 35 in Staten Island, New York. The program has recently expanded on Time Warner Cable local access channel 98 in major areas of Los Angeles, California, Channel 17 in Kent,ME & Channel 35 in Hazelton,PA.

Band Members