Picture
Jack Taylor, MM
Voice of the Oiler Marching Band
​​Professor Emeritus of Music and longtime Director of Bands at The University of Findlay, Jack Taylor retired in 2020 after 40 years of service to the college.  He has conducted the university Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble since 1980, forming the UF Wind Ensemble in 2000. In 1997, Taylor co-founded the Marching Oiler Brass with Ronald Cable and directed the band with Cable for 15 years, writing and arranging all of the band’s music during that time.  In addition to his conducting duties, Taylor taught courses in Music Composition and Arranging, Jazz History, Music/Art History and Music Criticism.  In the Findlay community, Taylor served as musical director of the Findlay Civic Concert Band for 34 years and founded Findlay Civic Jazz (Jazz Big Band - 1981) and the Flag City U.S.A. Civic Concert Band (touring ensemble of the Civic Band -1990).  Under his direction, university and community bands from Findlay have performed in 13 American states and eight foreign countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, Scotland, and Switzerland.
 
Taylor is the recipient of a number of teaching awards including the David Allen, Shiv and Elizabeth Gupta and the UF Arch Awards.  His name appears on Walls of Fame in Egner Center (UF Curtain Raisers) and at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.  He holds letters of commendation from three Mayors in Findlay, from the Ohio House of Representatives and from former Ohio Governor, George Voinovich.  In 2018, July 11 was named “Jack Taylor Day” in the City of Findlay by Mayor, Lydia Mihalik, recognizing his service to the university and community.  Taylor’s “Flag City March” was named the Official March of the City of Findlay in 1996 by Mayor John Stozich.
 
As a composer and arranger, Taylor’s music can be found in libraries of high school bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles and show choirs throughout the world.  He has also accepted commissions to write for many collegiate and professional ensembles as well as area churches.  His music has been recorded by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Jazz Orchestra, O.P.C.I.C.A. (Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Assn) and a number of All-County Bands in Ohio and surrounding states.  As a performing artist, Taylor has performed or recorded on saxophone, clarinet, flute and keyboards with jazz artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Manhattan Transfer, Jack Sheldon, Slam Stewart, Clark Terry, Bennie Carter, Jiggs Wiggam, Bill Evans, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Dianne Schurr, Bill Watrous, and others. He has also performed with pop artists including Bobby Vinton, Frankie Laine, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, Glenn Campbell, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, the Coasters, the Four Freshmen, Olivia Newton John, Rosemary Clooney, Al Jarreau, Johnnie Mathis and others.
 
Holding a B.S. Degree in Music Education from West Chester University and an M.M. Degree in Jazz Performance from Yale University, Taylor continues to reside in Findlay with his wife and high school sweetheart, Patricia.  They take great pride in the accomplishments of their three sons, three daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.