JT Showreel
'...the sensitivity of his playing, and his constant innovation – you´ve never seen someone play drums like this before´. He combines a classical background with a feel for world and folk musics.' Folk and Honey
Session for Rozsa
It's so nice to have worked with a drummer that has prepared so well for the sessions, tuned his drums so immaculately....
- Mark Tucker, Producer (Portishead, P.J. Harvey, Show of Hands)
Live percussion for Philip Henry and Hannah Martin
'You can taste the country atmosphere as the instrumental December falls into January. The duo are augmented by Matt Downer on double bass, James Taylor on drums and percussion...The musicianship is top notch and the songwriting full of bite, as on London or Stones, which deals with UKIP. A lovely, heartfelt album.' The Telegraph
Drumming for Rugby Commercial
'I knew I was looking for someone who had more of an orchestral feel to their playing and equipment – definitely not a straight rock drummer. This guy called James Taylor came in, who had played with the National Youth Orchestra, and immediately related to the kind of open and deep space I was looking for with the rhythm.'
Recording session for Latin American Film Festival
'James Taylor is the best percussionist I have ever worked with. The creative thinking he’s got while playing is incredible.' Martino Scovacricchi, Saxophonist, Composer
Recording Sessions - The Green Room
'We really enjoyed working with James. He has great technical skill, versatility, and a deep musicality - all you could hope for in a drummer!'
– Philip Henry and Hannah Martin
Percussion for Dance - Barbican Centre
One of several projects as part of the musical team for Fin Walker and Ben Park Dance Company, here Act 1 of Macbeth during a research and development project at the Barbican Centre.
Music for film - Kickbox Hijabi by Alnoor Dewshi
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I wanted to produce an unusual soundtrack for an unusual film... James was the perfect musician to achieve it. His lively improvised percussion responses to the images made them pop off the screen. Everyone who sees the film loves it! - Alnoor Dewshi, Director
ABOUT
'The percussion wasn't there to provide a rhythm, it was there to enhance and emphasise, like a backing singer in percussive form. James understands the significance of less equals more.' Fatea magazine
James (JT) Taylor is a drummer and multi-percussionist based in London. He likes to fuse the sensibilities of his classical training with modern drumming styles and the techniques of traditional percussionists from around the world. He studied with some of the UK's top session players and for a degree in music at the University of Nottingham, whilst also getting invaluable gigging and session experience under his belt, including with the National and Halle Youth Orchestras and at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House.
Helping composers and songwriters soundscape their compositions with percussion is a passion. JT plays drum kit, vibraphone and hybrid percussion set-ups with solo artists and groups in diverse settings. He has played for dance at the Barbican Centre, opera at King's Place, band sessions at BBC Studios London, at the London Jazz Festival and at Glastonbury Festival.
JT believes in freedom of expression and non-judgemental listening through music. He gigs as a free improviser with various duos, crosses paths with other artists in the worlds of film, dance and fine art, and facilitates community music and educational projects.
