Y oung jazz vocalist Taylor Daniel is packing a sleek suit for several high-profile gigs in Los Angeles this month. Taylor won a position in the prestigious GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles for the third consecutive year, and will be sharing the stage with the music industry’s biggest names during GRAMMY™Week.
Taylor joins talented high-school students from around the country in a weeklong musical adventure. Under direction of ensembles faculty, 30 students will perform as a jazz choir, combo and band, entertaining at GRAMMY In The Schools™ Live!; the MusiCares™ Person of the Year tribute honoring Barbra Streisand; and the GRAMMY Celebration™ party.
Taylor is the first teen to win an ensemble spot three years in a row, though his success doesn’t surprise his vocal teacher. “Taylor is already well-regarded in professional jazz circles, but he doesn’t rest on his laurels,” says J.D. Frizzell, fine arts director at Briarcrest Christian School where the teen is a senior. “He takes any gig and any opportunity to learn.”
Locally, Taylor has performed at the Marguerite Piazza St. Jude Gala and opened for the Jersey Boys Tour at the Orpheum. He also sings tenor in Briarcrest’s Onevoice a capella group and Praise Band.
The GRAMMY Foundation developed the ensembles program to help aspiring young musicians launch careers. Selectees are eligible for more than $2 million in scholarships. Tune in the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, February 13th, and look for Taylor. He’ll be attending as a guest of the Recording Academy.