In a state often associated with country music, the Taylor Scott band shakes up stereotypes with its own concoction of blues, soul, funk and rock ‘n’ roll.
The St. Louis-based band, comprised of Taylor Scott on lead guitar and vocals, Lem Williams on drums, Ben Rubin on bass and Jon Wirtz on keyboard, performed its singular brand of music at the Alibi bar Friday .
Scott, the band’s songwriter, said the band does not play just one genre.
“In one word, we call it ‘soul/jam’,” Scott said. “The reason for that is my writing is based a lot on soul music, old school R&B. That music traditionally doesn’t have a lot of solos, it’s more about the vocals and the song. I love that, but first I am a guitar player, not just a singer.”
The group mixes its love of soul music with a love for improvisation, as well as having soloists who listen to a wide range of music, all of which contribute to its particular sound. The band listens to and is influenced by many different types of music – soul, funk, jazz, blues, rock ‘n’ roll and gospel. The musicians bring all their different musical influences to the table; Scott said nothing is off limits as long as it is good, heartfelt and soulful.
“Each one of us listens to a lot of different types of music, and it all comes out onstage,” Scott said.
The jam aspect of the band’s music comes from a relaxed structure and emphasis on improvisation.
“I would say that 40 percent of what you heard tonight was improvisation,” Scott said of the Alibi show. “We are just meant to improv. Somebody will start something, and it’s just ‘follow that guy!’ That’s how we play together, that’s the jam part.”
Jon Wirtz, who has been playing keyboard for the band since January 2014, said the relaxed style of The Taylor Scott Band is what drew him to it.
“There’s a lot of freedom. He [Scott] is clear on what he wants as far as structure, but there is a lot of wiggle room,” Wirtz said.
The playful experimentation and collaboration of different musical styles helped develop a foundation for the band to work from, even on bad days.
“This band has gotten to the point that even when we’re having a bad day, it still sounds good to the audience,” Wirtz said. “We are our toughest critics.”
Scott said that on bad days it is important to power through.
“We don’t take a break, we don’t want to end on a bad note – literally. It may sound selfish, but I don’t worry about the audience first. One of us will play something, and the others will react. That kind of playing will take you right out of the bad mood,” Scott said. “You’ve got to play with guys that inspire you and hope that you inspire them.”
The band will return to Laramie Sept. 5 for the Snowy Range Music Fest, according to the band’s website.
