Dr. Billy Taylor, Photo by Jimmy Katz

An Evening with Dr. Billy Taylor will feature the world-renowned pianist, composer and educator in his debut performance with the CJE. Dr. Taylor's compositions include "Capricious," "It's A Grand Night," "Midnight Piano" and "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free." The evening also will include the premiere of Michael Philip Mossman's big band arrangement of Dr. Taylor's composition "Diz," which Dr. Taylor wrote for his appearance with Dizzy Gillespie on "Sesame Street." In addition, the CJE will perform Billy Strayhorn's renowned classic, "Take the 'A' Train," newly-arranged by NEA Jazz Master Frank Foster for fellow NEA Jazz Master Billy Taylor.

Possessing a rare combination of creativity, intelligence, vision, commitment and leadership, Dr. Taylor has been playing professionally since 1944. He began his career with Ben Webster on New York's 52nd Street and later became the house pianist at Birdland, where he performed with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Since the 50s, he has been leading his own trios and throughout his nearly six-decade reign, he composed more than 350 songs as well as works for theater, dance and symphony orchestras. One of the most familiar faces in jazz, Dr. Taylor took on the role of Arts Correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning in 1981. Now, in his 80s, he continues to compose, lecture and spread his knowledge of jazz around the world. Faddis last performed with Dr. Taylor at the piano master's "farewell" concert at Kennedy Center in March 2005.

Tickets to the April 22 concert at the Art Institute of Chicago's Rubloff Auditorium are $5 for Columbia College Chicago students, $12 for other students with valid identification and $40 for the general public; they are available at www.ticketweb.com or at (312) 344-6270. For more information on performances by the CJE, visit www.chijazz.com.

For more information on Dr. Billy Taylor, visit http://www.billytaylorjazz.com.