I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Billy Taylor

[@Honourable66]

After 30 years of travelling and living out of a backpack life, if only temporarily has slowed down for me, i did promise myself that when that day came i'd buy myself a keyboard and learn to play the piano, well that day was today and it was all down to Billy Taylor and this track, i've carried this tune with me through life and it's never failed to fill my heart with joy. RIP Billy Taylor.

[@rtel123]

Only Monty would think to use "Amazing Grace" as an intro! Genius at work at both pianos. RIP Dr Taylor.

[@gmonet46]

I knew Billy Taylor. Not personally, but we first met at a Jazzmobile concert at my campus in NYC in 1964. Then we met at the NPR studios in the 80's. Finally meeting at East Carolina University at his last attendance of the Billy Taylor Jazz festival there. At that time ECU presented him with a portrait I had painted of him. His frailty showed as they brought him up to the stage for the presentation and a short performance....that performance was amazing!

[@Pianoninja924]

Dr. Taylor was at my school a few days ago....one of the best days ever.

[@karinablacktie]

A sad day indeed in losing such a talent. Billy Taylor exemplified the love of his music and all his colleagues. He exemplified love itself. Farewell, dear man. Farewell.

[@hilaryapril7043]

Had the pleasure of seeing Dr Billy Taylor perform at the uptown Half Note with my best friend Mike R ....missed hanging out with Judy Garland by 1 night at the old west village club location....Dr Taylor was an incredible man and a gift from heaven to the people of NYC!!!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Billy was great!

[@Socaman20]

Well Dr.BillyTaylor ,no longer do you have to wish what it's like to be free because you are FREE..!!!! Rest in eternal peace !!!

[@tailoralexis635]

Big thank to god gave us these guys who made the world more beautiful

[@zuluvegans6897]

Two legendary jazz pianists, Prof Dr Billy Taylor in a red tie and Monty Alexander in a black tie. This is amazingly refreshing🤣

[@musicis101]

God bless you Billy Taylor. You have left us with the greatest gift anyone can give: music. Rest in peace Billy. You'll be missed.

[@pinkhairedgnom4018]

It's pure joy, to think how a human mind and fingers can be so gifted to perform this in real-time.

[@OS-yg9fr]

it's JOY spring isn't it?

[@Piano_Manny]

That drop 2 chord figure at 0:21 is crazy beautiful

[@JalapenoJr]

Even though they don't know how it feels to be free, at least they know how it feels to be perfect.

[@Lebowski53]

RIP Billy. I hope wherever you are there's a piano.

[@davidwatkinspianotracks7425]

omg! two of my favorites. Thanks for posting!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

me, too, glad you dig!

[@DYNODRUM]

"This, Tune sayz Alot ".. Powerfully Charged yet Subtle, Sublime . Refernced the Times of then and beyond .Like "Oh Happy Day" ..This, Man Had has Tons Of Soul and You can Hear The people Rising Now , and that Piano speaking His Mind .. alot of Soul .Thankyou Dr. Billy We love You Still...

[@dipaolimusic]

WOOOOOOOOOWWWWW Thats beautiful! Genius together!

[@rtel123]

An amazing life now over. Thank you, Dr Taylor, for enriching my life with your music, and for introducing us to so many other talented musicians on your show.

[@Lindsay1870]

How could this have any dislikes?! This is absolutely amazing! The solos are killer- great lines and sweet sound.

[@KariSinkko]

Expecting lyrics it's pretty simple there is none.

[@Manuscript4]

Shocking audio?

[@Tibiwa]

Truly blessed and inspired. Gods so amazing....what an amazing Gift he has bestowed. Taken back and can't stop smiling...xxx

[@goodboring]

RIP, Dr T.... You were the epitome of "classy"

[@alexgreen6146]

Probably the best performance I've ever heard.

[@bethechange2024]

I love this and have just seen that Hal Leonard publishes both this piece in the Artist Transcription series and a book by Billy Taylor on jazz piano styles. Brilliant!

[@pobz100]

Genius; it's amazing how a single piece can live just so so so well of this calibre. The perfect jazz progression. ROCK ON BILLY

[@twirlyboggs]

I love that feel coming in around 1:57 on...

[@twirlyboggs]

so wonderful

[@OS-yg9fr]

it's the same feeling i get when i am about to enter a woman, and the humping begins thereafter... absolutely beautiful

[@billjhyt]

Billy Taylor brings out the best in people through his persona and the extension of that, his playing, fellow musicians and others, like even myself.

[@joshjeggs]

Amen to the gift God has given these guys

[@freddymclain]

why didn't 'god' give me that gift? I've led a decent life. never did anyone harm intentionally. paid my bills and supported the church. raised my kids as best i could. never cheated on my wife or my taxes. guess 'god' took a day off, eh?

[@joshjeggs]

@@freddymclain only a fool demands gifts.

[@freddymclain]

@@joshjeggs did you make that up, or is that biblical psychobable?

[@KariSinkko]

What I love is the random that I said random; the intentional Pursuit of what is music and how it can change people.

[@tallandhandsome29]

Found this by accident- thank you, thank you, thank you. Truly wonderful and sent me off with a smile on my face. Now a definate favourite.

[@Ozzwooz]

Thumbs up man, thumbs up

[@cbinasoy]

That Cadenza at the end............. SOO GOOD

[@ArnaudQuercyCreations]

this one is magnificent !!!! so beautiful and moving. love this comp of Billy. Classy rendition also by Monty. Gosh I love these guys. thx for sharing

[@RM-gm7lu]

some great lines in those solos...tasty

[@anilec333]

Beautiful

[@m_r__r_o_b_o_t]

Lovely!

[@mrscorpio4444]

A subtle, refined work of art from two very distinguished gentlemen. I am pretty sure the world is insane in that it prizes repetitive, simple childish noise over this...

[@davidwatkinspianotracks7425]

Fantastic

[@bassandguitarguy]

Saxman Tom Butts played with Billy at some point. Tom passed away at 57 on 10-23-13 - any vids of him with Billy? He is one of the best!

[@PTLux2]

Amen to that! Here's the thing; playing like this was second nature to these guys. They spent a lifetime in music, honing their creative skills to the very end. It's that way with all the great jazz masters. Oscar Peterson kept playing even after a stroke that damaged one of his hands. Buddy Rich kept playing (hard!) after quadruple bypass surgery. Most of the current crop of "artists" are not in the same league. Today we are living under the tyranny of mediocrity in the arts. Marketing trumps music. Sad. Thank you for this post. A real gem here. Your channel is a constant source of inspiration.

[@ruthgree99]

Billy is also a terrific teacher!

[@scorpio8ful]

Thank You Billy Taylor. We will Tap Dance in tribute to You, Nina Simone and "I Wish I knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" this New Year's Day at The Bowery Poetry Club at 1st St and The Bowery in New York City. With love, admiration and inspiration - NYC Rhythm Tap Dancers

[@jds1010]

This is unbelievably brilliant, always raises a smile too, its incredible, utterly sublime. Not to get too carried away but you rarely see musical genius like this these days, love it :) Wish I could play half as good lol. Thanks for sharing dude :) never take it down :D

[@djemmashort-e]

MINDBLOWING!

[@sanduskyohiobro]

Got to love Billy Taylor

[@harrywhitleyofficial]

me and a freind tryed to recreate this live but we could not even kiss the boots of this faantastic peice of music

[@ksleisure]

Absolutely frickin amazing piano playing.

[@nutnoodle]

Thanks so much for uploading this. One of my all time favourite pieces and I'd never heard this recording. Beautiful!

[@jayherzog7683]

absolute masters!

[@Cause4concern19]

this is amazing

[@lizzydancer1]

A great composition by Billy.

[@savedYESHUAalone]

A slice of life from an era gone by

[@barrymarcellin]

One of my favorite tunes

[@TheBjonz]

Sho u right!

[@QU1CK]

I love this song and it's heavy gospel influence....awesome playing by two giants!

[@danielbarley]

The phrasing makes me melt, amazing

[@brianguerrahernandez]

Very nice version, thanks for the upload!

[@LibraryUser61]

Thanks, Jazz Video Guy. This is a great performance of great music.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Thank you!

[@MusicOf1000SOULS]

The whole thing is... Wow, the end.... wicked!!

[@sillystrings]

just what i need right now

[@dannyvegasman]

Glorious

[@davidharvey802]

such moreish playing

[@clarkthesuperhero]

Wow, that is just simply beautiful :)

[@Ozzwooz]

That's a very good point 04hacketta

[@puppybaby]

Thanks a lot for uploading this music....

[@ANameBenDoesNotHave]

sounds like amazing grace...

[@pianistepascaljenny]

two master .

[@DaveSolazzo]

This is awesome! thanks!

[@solopenny]

fabulous!

[@dsekou]

rest in peace and thank you

[@Cause4concern19]

this is really amazing

[@wjohc]

Amen for sure!

[@roop46b]

amen for sure!!!!

[@wonone]

In a class by himself!! R.I.P.

[@evans54]

RIP Dr Taylor

[@pianomatheus]

No comments, just let the music speak!

[@schenkeld]

absolutely love it, is there any more from this episode of jazz counterpoint? I like the way these two play together!

[@TimAber57]

Why do ignorant idiots like me only get to hear of such incredible musicians when they die??? I have loved the tiny part of this tune that they used for Barry Norman's programme for years but knew nothing of its wirter and performer. Brings a tear to my eye to hear the whole thing and to watch the modest, beautiful, ego-free way they play it. Compare it with most of the trash we get fed today... Sublime beyond words.

[@neilpower60]

They both share in the happiness and joy playing together brings out, no ego, no selfishness

[@2yechan]

MONTY ALEXANDER AND BILLY TAYLOR

[@JazzVideoGuy]

@puppybaby Glad you like!

[@maxrosenblum4187]

Amen.

[@DyslexicChris]

@mikemapps but their licks, phrasing and technical competency are dammmmmmmmmn gooood too!

[@drinkwater319]

Amazing Grace

[@javiator3007]

wish i had sheet music for the beginning part

[@musical_lolu4811]

I might do a transcription of that sometime soon. But it's pretty easy though.

[@-monto-]

amen.

[@williamotoole3282]

For sure

[@funtyme2348]

decernnment. just be still. an receive that, that YESHUAH 🙏 would have us receive. it's not ment for all. remember, we're a peculiar​ People. their performance, JUST simply beautiful. thanks for this video 💞🙏

[@ChrisMutchJones]

@Ozzwooz whats to say its not a mix of the original gift and a lot of hard work on thier part? lol

[@andrewmiller9225]

Can someone with techncal knowledge tell me: how much of this piece would have been worked out in advance by the two performers and how much improv? Mr Taylor's piece at 4.50 for one seemed spontaneous

[@Lebowski53]

It’s not that it’s ‘worked out in advance’. Rather that excellent jazz musicians have the ability to play the same patterns in any key, so are simply able to play around and modulate songs, knowing exactly how to shift their muscle memory at the same time. That’s why(if we’re honest) so much improv sounds the same. It’s just patterns.

[@Stevieboy130664]

@04hacketta HaHa - I'm not sure I QUITE agree with this comment but the last 3 words are gems.

[@tracezacur6784]

2:18... That was the real reason!!

[@baxterLD91]

dude, do you have this show? can I get a copy from you? I'll pay you.

[@stuarth.tresser9315]

I remember blind pianist Lance Heyward when I used to see him live at the Village Corner in NYC. He performed I wish I knew How it feels to be free, and it was better than Billy Taylor or Monty Alexander. Not to take away anything from those two great artists, simply it was the best I've ever heard it performed.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Yes, I remember Lance Hayward! He was a superb pianist.

[@stuarth.tresser9315]

I also played piano at Village Corner and filled in for Lance and also played there myself many times back in 1970's. Jim Smith owned the place and NYU was landlord. Bob Kail also worked there too, another fine pianist. However, nobody like Lance could play Billy Taylor's tune. I think he played it better than Billy Taylor!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Those were the days. We thought they'd never end, but they did. Now, we have the memories.

[@stuarth.tresser9315]

Lance Heywood was also great and unknown and did not get the recognition. From Bermuda.

[@tdubasdfg]

why do you say that

[@Andreeeiiii]

wtf, taylor, at the and?? how the fuck? :D goosh

[@moitoieuxnous1648]

psy got 2 billions view... this has not even 200 000... tgis world need some music education....

[@pivaix]

you can't dance on this music it's beautiful but not funny :) don't compare this with pur entertainement

[@OS-yg9fr]

it's because we are the special ones and we're better than the people listening to psy in every possible way. we're dominant and better

[@DUZOOOOO]

I dont think it's created by human. God had something to do with this song.

[@DUZOOOOO]

I'd pay so it would be played in kindergarten (sry for english)

[@Ozzwooz]

you're probably taking the piss, but cynicism and atheism do go hand in hand, we're just not willing to have faith lol

[@XiphiasFO]

Cleary fake

[@slapmyfunkybass]

sheer class