Bassist and tubist. William Anderson Taylor, Sr. born April 3, 1905 [according to death certificate] in Washington, D.C.; died September 1, 1986 in Fairfax, Virginia.
Father of bassist Billy Taylor, Jr. No relation to pianist Dr. Billy Taylor. For much of his career he was known simply as Billy Taylor.
Moved to New York City in 1924. Played tuba with Duke Ellington in 1928 and then joined Ellington again playing bass from April 1934 to January 1940. For some of this time he was one of two bassists in the band, alongside Wellman Braud (to April 1935), Hayes Alvis (1935-1938), or later Jimmie Blanton (from October 1939). Taylor returned to Washington in the early 1950s.
Bibliography
Wallace, Steve. “Billy Taylor.” Duke Ellington Society of Sweden Bulletin 3 (September 2014): 4–8. https://ellingtonblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/dess_2014-3_bulletin.pdf.
I would very much like to get in touch with Billy’s family. My son is a direct descendant with his grandfather being Charles “Buddy” Taylor. Billy Sr. would be my son’s great grandfather.