BUFFALO, NY, May 03, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Van Aaron Taylor with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Taylor celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Taylor, the producer, songwriter, and owner of Van Taylor Productions Inc. and TM International Records, has contributed well over 50 years of experience to his chosen industry. Best known for creating Taylor Made Jazz, a band that won many awards and gained recognition for its smooth style, his works have included four CDs and openings for such acts as Natalie Cole, Gladys Night, and Kool and the Gang. The band also traveled throughout the world to perform in such locales as Cuba, Italy, Greece, Israel, England, and a multitude of other countries.
A pioneer and leader in the music business, Mr. Taylor also garnered a reputation as a composer and arranger, artist developer, television and video commercial producer, and marketing consultant. His incredible portfolio of work included producing with such groups as the Lance Diamond Band and for BCMK Records and collaborating as a keyboardist with Unique Sounds and Ace Tones. For more than four decades, Mr. Taylor also performed for U.S. troops and allies overseas, during which time he was notably aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense and Armed Forces Entertainment. Mr. Taylor created a civilian touring division for the troops called Music on the Front Lines, With no signs of slowing down, Mr. Taylor recently released his latest CD, "It's About Time," in 2021.
Instrumental in producing music to support various nonprofit fundraisers for Sickle Cell Anemia, United Way and other worthy causes, Mr. Taylor was responsible for such gigs as "Concert from the Heart" to raise awareness for the Foodbank of Western New York and "Jammin' Women," which was a benefit concert for the United Negro College Fund. He also performed for the Variety Kids Telethon with WBBZ TV to benefit Oishei Children's Hospital. He has been equally active in his community with various local initiatives, such as the Veterans Day Parade Committee in Buffalo, the African American Veterans Monument in Buffalo in 2020, the Three2Go Music Alliance and the Research for AIDS Benefit in Buffalo. Additionally, Mr. Taylor is on the board of directors for the Great Eastside Field of Dreams Block Club Association, the board trustee of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, the Big Easy in Buffalo and is also director of the Bullion Foundation, former board member of the Squeaky Wheels Buffalo Media Resource Group, and also former board member and vice president of the oldest jazz club in the United States, the historic, "Colored Musicians Club," and has held various public relations roles as well.
Mr. Taylor graduated from Seneca Vocational High School in Buffalo in 1974. Eminently qualified in his field, he holds a diploma in electronics and electricity and is a certified EOC computer technician. Broadening his horizons in the field, Mr. Taylor has been an active member of the International Platform Association, the National Jazz Organization, and among other relative organizations, the American Federation of Musicians Union Local 92.
Mr. Taylor has been acknowledged with several awards for his music contributions as part of the Taylor Made Jazz band, including a People's Choice Award for Jazz in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and a Night Life Magazine Top R&B Award in 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The band also gained recognition by being placed at the top of the MP3 Jazz charts in 2003 and received the Diamond Accord Award from the International Federation of Festival Organizations several years prior to 1996. Other accolades included recognition with certificates from local dignitaries for their support of the first African American Veterans Monument at the Buffalo Naval Park in 2018, being honored by the Common Council when they made July 22nd, the "Taylor Made Jazz Day" in Buffalo in 2003, and his induction into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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