NEW INSTRUCTIONAL DVD FOR 2013 BY JASON "MALLETMAN" TAYLOR‏

Jason “Malletman” Taylor grew up in Brooklyn, NY listening to Lionel Hampton’s music. His curiosity was sparked by his mother, who was a fan of Hampton’s and would go see him perform at the Apollo Theater. This made Taylor interested in finding out more. However, he played the drums and xylophone before he eventually went on to play the vibraphone, which he describes as being “the most beautiful sounding instrument.” He became dedicated to mastering the “vibe” just like the late Hampton, who was so impressed during his first meeting with Taylor in 1981 that he took the young “Malletman” as his protégé and became his mentor. In addition to touring with the legendary Hampton and his 18-piece band, Taylor also lived with Hampton and received the kind of personal training and experience that can only be described as “priceless.” Taylor toured the U.S. and Europe with Hampton, which ended with the two of them playing at President Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural Gala and Disneyland in 1985. It was during that time when Malletman formed Mallet Records, a record company dedicated to its mission of “Keeping Real Music Alive.”


1985 was also the year that Malletman flew away from Hampton’s nest and began promoting his first recording, Once Upon a Mallet (1984) which caught the attention of quite a few people. In 1986, Malletman released his sophomore recording, Good Grief/My Destiny after which, Taylor returned to his true love - performing. Over the years to follow, he developed his unique live show into one that awed audiences and critics alike. As the 1980’s ended, Taylor released the successful Love Attack which featured the singles, “Love Attack” and “Pick Me Up.” “Love Attack” (The Remix) was number 24 on the Let’s Dance! Record Pool Urban Chart in December 2000, placing higher than singles by artists such as Outkast, Lil’ Kim, Eminem and Erykah Badu. Malletman went on to record other releases. Taylor is a five-time Grammy ballot-nominee. His nominations include Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for “The Christmas Song” (1998). His CD single, Live at Mallet’s Place (2005) features “Once Upon a Mallet,” a lively original composition, along with a seductive version of the jazz standard, “Misty.” He is currently working his next release, which will offer at least 10 tunes.

Malletman is known for his unique presentation of Jazz, R&B and Swing, creating a signature sound that is all his own, which he calls “Vibrafunk.” He has been in the company of such greats as Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, George Clinton, James Brown, Branford Marsalis, Steve Washington, B.B. King, Slide Hampton and Bill Cosby, who is a well-known jazz fan. Taylor has opened up for Earth Wind and Fire (2003), Isaac Hayes (2002), Pancho Sanchez (2000), The Manhattans (1996), Najee (1996), Paquito D’Rivera (1996), Pieces of a Dream (1996), Diana Reeves (1995).

Malletman has a new instructional DVD coming out in 2013 entitled "The Mallet Code".

Source: sonicbids.com