Paul Taylor at Yoshi's Oakland

The number thirteen is cloaked in mysticism, regarded by some cultures as unlucky and revered by others as a sacred good omen or the birth of a new beginning. Saxophonist Paul Taylor’s anticipated new recording and Shanachie debut, It’s A Brand New Day, is his thirteenth recording as a leader. The charming and down-to-earth saxman reveals, “This album in some ways signifies a new cycle for me, as this is my first new recording in three years. The title speaks to my desire to give my fans an optimistic outlook as we approach every brand new day.” The chart-topping saxophonist has enjoyed an enviable career with a string of Billboard #1 hits and collaborations with a genre-crossing lists of musicians including Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, Peabo Bryson, Keiko Matsui. The Rippingtons, Peter White, Euge Groove, Michael Lington, Jamie Jones and Marion Meadows. Taylor confesses, “I simply love creating and making my own music. I am the happiest when I am doing just this. It never gets old.” Danny Weiss, VP of Shanchie’s Jazz A&R, states, “I’ve been an admirer of Paul’s brilliant work dating back to his very first recordings. His superb tone and phrasing are second to none. Paul Taylor is a true icon whose status is well deserved.”...

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The number thirteen is cloaked in mysticism, regarded by some cultures as unlucky and revered by others as a sacred good omen or the birth of a new beginning. Saxophonist Paul Taylor’s anticipated new recording and Shanachie debut, It’s A Brand New Day, is his thirteenth recording as a leader. The charming and down-to-earth saxman reveals, “This album in some ways signifies a new cycle for me, as this is my first new recording in three years. The title speaks to my desire to give my fans an optimistic outlook as we approach every brand new day.” The chart-topping saxophonist has enjoyed an enviable career with a string of Billboard #1 hits and collaborations with a genre-crossing lists of musicians including Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, Peabo Bryson, Keiko Matsui. The Rippingtons, Peter White, Euge Groove, Michael Lington, Jamie Jones and Marion Meadows. Taylor confesses, “I simply love creating and making my own music. I am the happiest when I am doing just this. It never gets old.” Danny Weiss, VP of Shanchie’s Jazz A&R, states, “I’ve been an admirer of Paul’s brilliant work dating back to his very first recordings. His superb tone and phrasing are second to none. Paul Taylor is a true icon whose status is well deserved.”
“I am an optimist in every way. Each new year, I just keep trying to do my best, which means playing my horn, staying in shape, touring, and continuing to create,” shares Paul Taylor, who is an avid golfer. He scores an ace on It’s A Brand New Day, showcasing ten tracks of nine originals and one Billie Eilish cover. The title track opens like a phoenix rising with its triumphant and ceremonious vibe which sets the tone for the joyous expedition ahead. Taylor’s soul-drenched alto gyrates around a percolating and EDM groove, setting a perfect euphoric trance-induced state. The song was co-written with long-time musical companion Dino Esposito (Jeff Lorber, Wayman Tisdale, Walter Beasley, Kim Waters), who has collaborated with Paul Taylor for close to three decades and who plays on eight of the album’s tracks. Taylor also joins forces with Barry Eastmond (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Britney Spears, Barry White, Chaka Khan) on the ballad “Forever More.” The alluring tune’s rock-steady groove has a gravitational pull is hard to resist. “Both Dino Esposito and Barry Eastmond are dear friends and musical colleagues,” shares Taylor. “We tend to get the best out of each other. They give me the space to do what I do and at the same time, I lean on them for their input. I am grateful to the two of them as well as my manager Andi Howard, who has stayed the course with me all these years. “Sunlight” is another winning collaboration with Eastmond. “Working with Barry is like putting on a pair of old shoes, the fit is just right, and you know that you will get to your destination on time,” shares Paul Taylor. As the saying goes, “Nighttime is the right time!” and Paul Taylor makes good on this statement with his soulful and percussive dance infused anthem “Night Delight,” co-written by Dino Esposito. “Dino just makes every situation 100 times better,” declares, Taylor. “I bounced things off of him for this album, he went to town, the ideas flowed and together we came up with more music than we needed for the album.”

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