Music Under Glass: West Side Soul and Blues for All Ages

*Registration for this performance opens on September 1, 2024; the link will be added here*

Garfield Park Conservatory’s Music Under Glass summer concert series returns with an exciting lineup of 3 phenomenal West Side artists!

Aiming to reconnect generations and raise spirits in the community, Larry Taylor and the Soul Blues Healers bring back the fine, world-known Black music that today’s West Side seniors grew up with—from the hard-core Mississippi moans of Howlin’ Wolf and sophisticated blues of Little Milton, to the soulful melodies of Johnnie Taylor and Tyrone Davis and the funk of James Brown. “Our music brings all people and all ages together,” Larry says. “It’s a party!” 

Tickets: Free with registration. Space is limited; if you register and are no longer able to make it, please let us know so we can open up the ticket to someone else.

Accommodations: If you’d like to request accommodations, please email Bendi at bqian@garfieldpark.org. On the registration form, there is also a spot to indicate if you’d like to request an accommodation. Please submit requests at least 72 hours prior to the start of the program.

About Larry Taylor:

Larry Hill Taylor, legendary blues singer, bandleader and Ambassador of West Side Blues, is the oldest son in the musical family of Mississippi-born singer Vera Hill Taylor and master guitarist Eddie “Playboy” Taylor. Eddie was a VeeJay recording artist, Jimmy Reed’s music partner, who powered Chicago blues with the boogie and “lump.” Larry grew up drumming with his father’s band and other blues and soul masters including Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker. A.C. Reed, Son Seals, Otis Clay, and Johnnie Taylor. 

Singing with his own band, Larry produced the acclaimed 2004 CD, They Were in This House, reissued by Wolf Records 2011. He produced an album called Generations of Blues with his talented Taylor brothers and sisters—Brenda, Tim, the late Eddie Jr. and Demetria– plus an original blues-backed rap by his son Liljet 2X, issued by Nola-Blue Records in 2023. He was named an Esteemed Artist by the city of Chicago DCASE for 2020-21. His band performed all-ages concerts at Austin Town Hall, Douglass Park and other West Side churches and parks in 2022-23. 

Larry’s family story is told in the Chicago-made movie, The Rhythm and the Blues, being introduced in film festivals in 2024, produced and directed by Darryl Pitts, starring Leon as Eddie Taylor and Guy Davis as Jimmy Reed. 

Larry’s music offers the positive energy to reach all types of audiences, reconnect generations, and bring people together. He aims to revive this older music and raise spirits in the community.  

Learn more about Larry Taylor here: https://larrytaylorchicagoblues.com