D9 Jazz Legends: Kappa Alpha Psi’s Billy Taylor

Billy Taylor, the celebrated jazz pianist, composer, and educator, who played a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of jazz as both an art form and a social movement, was not just an icon in music circles. He was also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, an affiliation that reflected his deep commitment to service, leadership, and cultural uplift. Throughout his life, Taylor used his platform to advocate for both musical excellence and social justice, building a legacy that transcends the world of jazz.

Born in Greenville, N.C., in 1921, and raised in Washington, D.C., Taylor grew up surrounded by music. His early exposure to a variety of instruments was a prelude to what would become his true passion: the piano. He took classical piano lessons with Henry Grant, the same teacher who had educated Duke Ellington. But it wasn’t until his time at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where Taylor initially pursued a sociology degree, that his path in music became clear. Encouraged by pianist Undine Smith Moore, Taylor switched his major to music, and in 1942, he graduated with a degree that set the stage for his extraordinary career.

While at Virginia State, Taylor was initiated into the Alpha Phi chapter Kappa Alpha Psi. The values of the fraternity aligned with Taylor’s aspirations—he was a young man determined to excel in every field he entered. Kappa Alpha Psi’s mission, which celebrates excellence, leadership, and the uplift of the Black community, resonated deeply with Taylor, and the fraternity would remain a significant part of his identity throughout his life.

After graduating, Taylor moved to New York City, where his jazz career took off. In 1944, he played piano for Ben Webster’s Quartet on the storied 52nd Street, the heart of New York’s jazz scene at the time. That same evening, Taylor met the virtuoso Art Tatum, who became a mentor and lifelong influence. Soon, Taylor was performing with some of the biggest names in jazz—Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Stan Getz, among others. His rapid rise in the jazz world reflected both his remarkable talent and his ability to navigate the challenges facing Black musicians in mid-20th-century America.

One of Taylor’s most enduring contributions to American culture came in 1952 with the composition of “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” a song that gained renewed prominence during the civil rights movement. The tune, which has been recorded by artists ranging from Nina Simone to Solomon Burke, became an anthem of hope and perseverance, embodying the intersection of Taylor’s musical genius and his commitment to social change—values that were at the core of his experience with Kappa Alpha Psi.

Taylor’s influence extended far beyond the bandstand. In 1964, he founded Jazzmobile, an innovative program designed to bring jazz to underserved communities through free concerts and educational workshops. Jazzmobile would become one of the most important initiatives for the promotion of jazz education in America. It reflected Taylor’s lifelong belief that jazz was not just entertainment, but a cultural force capable of fostering social cohesion and empowerment. His work with Jazzmobile earned him multiple awards, including two Peabody Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting.

Taylor’s prominence in the media grew alongside his musical career. In the late 1960s, he became the first African American to lead a band on a major television talk show as the music director for The David Frost Show. He later joined CBS News Sunday Morning as an on-air correspondent, conducting more than 250 interviews with jazz legends and receiving an Emmy Award for his work. Taylor’s ability to bring the stories of jazz to a wider audience made him an indispensable advocate for the genre during a period of significant cultural change in America.

Over his lifetime, Taylor received more than 20 honorary doctorates, a Grammy Award, and the prestigious NEA Jazz Masters Award. In 1992, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to artists by the U.S. government.

Billy Taylor’s life was a testament to the power of jazz as a force for cultural expression and social change. His contributions to music, education, and advocacy have left an indelible mark on American history. Through his affiliation with Kappa Alpha Psi, Taylor remained a role model for generations of Black musicians and leaders, exemplifying the fraternity’s enduring commitment to excellence and uplift. Even after his death in 2010, Taylor’s legacy continues to inspire and influence both the world of jazz and the communities he worked so hard to support.