Biography

Paul Taylor is a professional musician who has brought trombone poetry to a wide range of audiences, at jazz clubs, improvised music events and poetry venues, drawing on a huge range of experience in jazz, classical and world music to create an original combination of spontaneous music and thoughtful poetry. Recent trombone poetry performances include: BBC Radio 3's The Verb, Resonance FM, Poole Word & Book Festival, Salisbury Festival, and Wessex Poetry Festival.

His free-range poetry is by turns acerbic, philosophical, and steeped in jazz, often bringing wry reports on the musician's life.

The debut album - speech - is now available via the website and at performances.

Samples

OWNING UP

I found them huddled
fridged and neglected
beginning to frown at fate
so I stole your mushrooms
as I figured
they deserved better

to have pride of place
up to their ankles
in sizzling garlic
then gently laid
on an unmade bed
of tagliatelle

it also seemed
that that bottle of merlot
had been gathering dust
for some while too
and could help celebrate
this great rescue

a degree of guilt
attaches itself to this event
but I write this note
while drinking my own whiskey
and wishing you well
from afar.

© Paul Taylor 2005

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THRESHOLD

the exit is clogged with monochrome smokers
stubbing out lungs

a wheelchair cradles a damaged Picasso
ashen women are rushing home

dirt dark flies are telling the time
stoney clouds enforcing the dusk

unyielding coughs rasp the stale air
rattling frayed nerves

pocketed fingers withdraw
a forgotten raffle ticket

the old waiter tries his best
not to spill any tears

there on the threshold
there and then.

© Paul Taylor 2005

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE HIGHER PLANE

the old inn
was demolished
before it collapsed

we built on its grave
despite the legend
of its ghosts

on the 4th floor
we sleep soundly
undisturbed

knowing that
nobody lived or died
this high up.

© Paul Taylor 2004

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.