Sam “Bluzman” Taylor
Blues | 2006Born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934, Sam “Bluzman” Taylor began singing gospel at age 3. During his service in the Air Force, he was stationed at the Westhampton Beach Air Force Base, only a short haul from the blues mecca of the East End, Flanders, and its infamous Blue Bird Inn. In its warm nest and dangerous environment, the nascent guitarist learned the ropes. Taylor served as bandleader/guitarist for the likes of Maxine Brown, Big Joe Turner, The Isley Brothers, Tracy Nelson, Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave. He was also a noted vocalist with Joey Dee & The Starliters, The Drifters, and The Rascals. He spent the 1970s writing, producing, arranging, and teaching. Taylor has written hundreds of songs, including the gold record “Do It ’Til You’re Satisfied” by the B.T. Express. His album Bluzman Back Home offers up a live recording from his 2004 Riverhead Blues Fest set. He died in 2009 at his home in Islandia. He was 74.