Gene Taylor (bassist)

Calvin Eugene "Gene" Taylor (March 19, 1929 – December 22, 2001), was an American jazz double bassist. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, and began his career in Detroit, Michigan. Taylor worked with Horace Silver from 1958 until 1963. He then joined Blue Mitchell's quintet, with whom he recorded and performed until 1965. From 1966 until 1968, he toured and recorded with Nina Simone. Simone recorded the song "Why? (The King of Love is Dead)", which Taylor wrote following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Taylor began teaching music in New York public schools. Taylor worked with Judy Collins from 1968 until 1976, and made numerous television appearances accompanying Simone and Collins. He died on December 22, 2001, in Sarasota, Florida, where he had been living since 1990.