Acid jazz, combines elements of jazz, soul, funk, and disco. It originated in the London club scene of the mid-1980s and spread to the US, Japan, Eastern Europe, and Brazil. Major acts included Brand New Heavies, Incognito, and Jamiroquai from the UK.
Formed in 1987, James Taylor Quartet are still much admired by their musical peers. For example, Taylor has featured on albums by Manic Street Preachers, The Pogues and U2. And many regard him as one of the great Hammond players of his generation.
Much of their popularity is due to Taylor’s distinctive Hammond playing, which is often copied but really equalled.
The band have dozens of successful albums to their credit. Their most recent is a 70s inspired Hammond funk album, Baker’s Walk. This received critical acclaim when released in 2021.Band line-up
James Taylor (keyboards and orchestration), Mark Cox (guitar), Andrew McKinney (bass) and Pat Illingworth (drums)