About
R. Taylor Fleming is a pianist from Lewisburg, PA. He studied Piano Performance, and Contemporary Writing & Production at Berklee College of Music (21') with the likes of Joanne Brackeen, Pat Bianchi, Alain Mallet, Lee Abe, and Dave Santoro. During his time at Berklee, he began studying composition and arranging and aims to fuse his love of traditional music with a contemporary flavor. Primarily a jazz pianist, his musical curiosity led him to study and enjoy many types of music from jazz/rock/pop to Spanish Flamenco to Brazilian styles such as Baiao, Samba, and Bossa.​
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Taylor spent time under the tutelage of the late great drummer Steve Mitchell. Working as a roadie, Taylor would drive Steve to all of his gigs. During those rides, Steve told stories about his friendship with Jim Henson, playing music with George Benson, and being the session drummer for Vince Guaraldi and the Peanuts theme song. Steve was Taylor's musical church with whom he learned an endless amount about not only the spiritual powers of music, but the power of spirituality.
Taylor worked as a freelance musician and instructor performing, recording, and teaching in his local community for several years. ​As an educator, Taylor created and directed Central PA's Donald Heiter Community Center music program. Concurrently, he served as an Americorps Service member. Taylor then moved to Boston and within a year he received the Berklee Urban Service Award for his work at the West End House Boys and Girls Club. There he taught, coached, accompanied student ensembles, and helped students gain experience in performance and auditioning. Through his experiences with both the West End House and the Donald Heiter Community Center, Taylor realized his love of teaching, mentorship, and youth enrichment.
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Taylor continues to teach on digital platforms, giving lessons and uploading content for beginner to advanced musicians on performance and music theory topics.
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Influences include: Bill Evans, Cory Henry, Fred Hersch, The Bad Plus,
Marquis Hill, Shai Maestro, Oscar Peterson, Steve Vai, Miles Davis, Alan Pasqua, Brad Mehldau, Third Eye Blind, Aaron Parks, Jeff Ballard, Steve Mitchell, and Doug Johnson.