Guitarist and Reading native JOSH TAYLOR has been performing in Berks since the early 1990s, but some of his fans might not know he’s also an educator, working for the Reading School District and the Reading Musical Foundation. As a musician, Taylor plays solo, in a jazz duo with stand-up bassist Trey LaRue, and in a Django Reinhardt-inspired Dixieland band called The Thirsty Three. Although Taylor’s in the classroom by day and often playing at night, he and his wife Melanie are busy raising three soccer- and music-loving sons – Jaxton, 12; Josiah, 10; and Caleb, 8 – in their Wyomissing home.
What drew you to the guitar, and when did you start playing?
I actually first picked it up when I was about 8 or 9, because my dad plays – blues and jazz. A few years later, the guitar suddenly just spoke to me. I started playing professionally when I was 16. Back then, I wanted to rock, to be Jimi Hendrix or Eddie Van Halen, so I was in bands doing original music. While I studied music (mostly classical) in college, I played rock for years. We used to play Philly and Reading a lot – places like the Pike Café, Wally’s Bistro and Tommy’s – some of which are gone.
Which bands were you in during those rockin’ years?
[laughs] Um, Solar Image, White American Cheese and Mixed Nuts. It was fun. Very different from what I play now.
How did your shift from rock to jazz happen?
Well, having a child changes things. It makes late night gigs a lot harder. So, in the early 2000s I started playing with Trey as a duo. It was appealing because we were branching out musically and jazz was a natural fit – its improvisation and musical complexity. Also, jazz gigs are typically in nicer venues and we could be home earlier.
Did you become a teacher so you could pass on the love of performing?
My teaching degree is actually in health and phys ed. I’ve always loved sports, and I played soccer for West Chester University while I was a student. I also studied music there, and even took classes taught by [Grammy-winning Berks musician] Dave Cullen, so I focused on both. For the past four years, I’ve been coordinating music programs for the Reading School District in its four magnet schools. I’m at the Performing Arts School, teaching middle school students. I’ve also been with the Reading Musical Foundation since 1994, doing youth outreach through the schools, Olivet Boys & Girls Club and the Police Athletic League. We do group lessons in diverse genres. For instance, there’s a guitar club at PAL, and singer-songwriter groups are popular.
That must be rewarding since you fell in love with music and the guitar as a kid yourself.
Definitely. It’s great to see kids who may not focus on much else during the school day really get into an instrument. For some who are still searching for themselves, music can become an identity. It’s part of who they are, of who they become. Seeing them blossom like that is incredibly rewarding.
When you’re not being musical, what’s on your fun agenda?
I love to work on my house, but I have big home improvement ideas without the huge budget, so those don’t happen too often. I also love being outside – I used to be really into water sports, especially wind surfing. I still like to do that, or go sailing, so now a fun day is me with my family on any kind of beach.
Since you’re a teacher and it's already August, let me ask that old elementary school question: what was your favorite thing about summer vacation?
Other than enjoying time with Melanie and the boys, I actually went to camp – for music, of course. In June, I spent a week in Northampton, Mass., at Django Camp. It’s a Gypsy jazz gathering of musicians from all over the world. I was selected to study in a master’s class and to play in the final night’s concert, both of which included a player I really admire, Gonzolo Bergara. He’s a real innovator and it was an honor, as well as loads of fun – just an amazing experience.
Check his website joshtaylorguitar.com for upcomingshows and events.
BY MICHELLE E. BIGGERSTAFF | PHOTO BY JOHN SECOGES
