Jasper Taylor is a man you have to love, even if there are more wood blocks on his discography than in a kindergarten’s rumpus. Taylor, a grand old man who was a percussionist in jazz from the beginning, is also well-known for his two most disgusting songs, “Don’t Eat at Jasper’s Barbecue”, and “Stockyard Strut”. This character was born in Texarkana, Texas on New Year’s Day 1894. He began performing in minstrel and Wild West shows, as well as tours to Mexico. He was already working in Memphis theaters by 1913 and had started studying xylophone. This would make him an influential figure to W.C., the Memphis blues publisher and maestro. Handy. Handy. Taylor was recorded in Memphis with Jelly Roll Morton, a collaboration which was very well documented. The percussionist moved to Chicago in 1917 and remained connected to the jazz scene in Chicago for the remainder of his life. Taylor served in France’s 365th Infantry Band and returned to Chicago in 1917 to perform with Handy, Will Marion Cook, Clarence Williams, the Chicago Novelty Orchestra and Clarence Williams, the pianist and arranger. In the second half of 1920s, Taylor formed a trio with Dave Peyton (and Fess Williams) that was one of his longest musical relationships. The artist’s career takes an unexpected twist in the 1930s. It could be called down, but not in the traditional sense. It was not unexpected that Taylor shifted to theater accompaniment work and did less touring. Taylor then moved his xylophones and other instruments into a closet, where he became a cobbler. He may have been lacking cooperative elves as he was soon back at the Chicago bandstands, supporting Freddie Shayne among others. Taylor spent a long time in Chicago’s Midnight Sun with Natty Dominique, his bandleader. Taylor was unable to keep his feet on the ground, and he died in the midst of his Creole Jazz Band. Allmusic
