Louis B. Taylor, Jr. was born in St. Thomas on September 12, 1949 to the late Louis B. Taylor Sr. and Althea Taylor. His interest in music began at the early age of 8 years, when he realized that his grandfather, the late Ernest Spooner was the leader of the Bamboula Fungi Band. Seeing his grandfather making drums from goat skin and in particular, the detailed process of preparing the skin for the drums sparked his interest in percussions, (which piano is considered to be a percussion instrument). His paternal grandfather, Bernard Taylor was also a musician, who was a member of the naval band playing the clarinet under the leadership of Alton A. Adams, Sr.

Louis started his formal training on piano at 11 years old, with Mrs. Lyra Norman and Mrs. Adele Galibere. Throughout high school, he studied the piano and also played in the Charlotte Amalie High School Band (CAHS). Under the leadership of Mr. Herman Wallace, Louis played all the percussion instruments and also played the piano with the stage band.

In 1967, his senior year at CAHS, Louis started playing music at the V.I. Hilton Hotel with the Cedric Swan Combo. This musical experience gave Louis the hands-on experience of playing jazz. Upon graduating from CAHS, Louis went to further his studies at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. While at Central State, he played in the jazz ensemble and was a member of the concert chorale. After two years at Central State, Louis transferred to Tennessee State University, where he became the principal Pianist for the Jazz Ensemble. He also performed with smaller groups around the Nashville area. In 1975, Louis received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Tennessee State University. Louis returned to the Virgin Islands in 1975 to pursue his musical career as a Teacher at the Joseph Gomez Elementary School. After 13 years at Joseph Gomez, he went on to teach at Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School (BCB), and also taught music at the College of Virgin Islands (now the University of the of the Virgin Islands) for eight years. After six years at BCB, Louis went on to teach at the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School, where he retired.

Louis’s vast musical experience has included playing with world renowned musicians such as Cab Calloway, Richie Cole, Norman Connors, Bobby Hutchinson and Gary Barths. Louis also opened for musical giants such as Melba Moore, Ellis Marcellis, Lou Rawls, Dave Brubeck, Isaac Hayes, David Sandborn, Joe Sample and most recently, Chaka Khan.

On the local level, Louis proudly boasts of his appearances with musical icons of the Virgin Islands such as Alwyn “Lad Richards” Richards, Ruben Lamotta, Rico Harrigan, Frankie Jarvis, Ruben Blyden, and Eddie Russell.

Throughout his musical career, Louis has influenced generations of Virgin Islands’ youth, including Dion Parson, Ron Blake, Ruben Rogers, Rudolph Faulkner and Rashuan Ross, all of whom have become world renowned musicians.

Louis love of traditional music was taught and shared with the Community. His experience of folkloric music was a part of his curriculum at every school where he taught. Louis was also the music Director of the Folkloric Dance Company, under the direction of Mrs. Leona Bryan and Mrs. Arona Petersen.

Louis currently performs at the prestigious fine dining restaurant at Caneel Bay Resort. His repertoire includes all folkloric music of the Caribbean as well as traditional music of the Virgin Islands.

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Performance Date:
May 25, 2007
Time: 6:05pm (Scheduled Estimated Time)