Buffalo and Erie Co. Naval & Military Park to open for 45th season on Saturday

“Van Taylor has been endorsed by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in the arts and entertainment industry. A producer, songwriter, and owner of Van Taylor Productions Inc. and TM International Records, Mr. Taylor has contributed over 50 years of experience to the music industry. Best known for creating Taylor Made Jazz, a band that has won several awards and gained worldwide recognition, Mr. Taylor has opened for such acts as Natalie Cole, Gladys Night, and Kool and the Gang.

For more than four decades, Mr. Taylor has performed for U.S. troops and allies overseas, during which time he was notably aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense and Armed Forces Entertainment. He created a civilian touring division for the troops called Music on the Front Lines to serve music to those who serve. He has also been active with many initiatives in the Western New York Community, serving on the Veterans Day Parade Committee in Buffalo, the African American Veterans Monument committee, and the Buffalo Naval Park’s annual Ship N’ Shore fundraiser committee.

Mr. Taylor has produced music and participated in events to support several nonprofits including Sickle Cell Anemia, the United Way, the Foodbank of Western New York, United Negro College Fund, and performances with Taylor Made Jazz for the Variety Kids Telethon to benefit Oishei Children’s Hospital. He has been honored by the Buffalo City Council, who declared July 22, 2003, as “Taylor Made Jazz Day,” and was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1998.”