Born in New England and raised in North Carolina, Kate shares her dual musical heritage with brothers James, Livingston, Hugh,
and her late brother Alex. Her roots run deep in the soul, gospel and rockabilly sounds of her southern upbringing and in
the literate folk, pop and Appalachian stylings that comprise the balance of her family's musical legacy.
Fronting her own band at fifteen, Kate signed her first recording contract with Atlantic/Cotillion records at nineteen
under the tutelage of her manager, legendary producer Peter Asher. That album, "Sister Kate," produced her first charting hit,
a cover of Elton John's "Country Comfort," recorded with his encouragement and blessing.
Kate later recorded two albums for Columbia Records, "Kate Taylor," produced by her brother James Taylor, and "It's in There,"
produced by acclaimed Muscle Shoals/Nashville producer Barry Beckett. Her duet with James, "The Shoop Shoop Song," from "Kate
Taylor," became her next charting hit single and remains an audience favorite today.
Kate's 2002 release, Beautiful Road, received 3 stars from Rolling Stone, who dubbed it a "heartfelt folk-rock gem." Her 2009
release, Fair Time!, her first of all original compositions, debuted to critical acclaim nationwide.
Kate's recent performances include the Newport Folk Festival, the WUMB/Boston Folk Festival, Sirius/XM radio and Nashville's
famed Blue Bird Cafe. Kate plays regularly throughout the Northeast and at Feinstein's in New York City.
Praise for "Fair Time!"
From Elmore Magazine:
"Sweet and sensual with a vocal twang that can melt hearts, Kate Taylor is the kind of musical gem that keeps on shining
with every album she puts out...Taylor assuredly trades the impassioned heartache conveyed on 2003's Beautiful Road for
a slyer, more dynamic sound, the kind that encompasses the vocal power of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
From The Noise
"Hailing from the legendary musical family that is the Taylors of Martha’s Vineyard (brothers James, Livingston, etc.), Kate
Taylor, who made a name for herself in the ’70s, has released this 12-song album that contains all the flavor and spunk of
country and rockabilly... and all the depth of folk... Kate’s CD is a wonderful collection of heartfelt songs. From the
Nashville-feeling and jaunty “Soap Opera Life” to the beautiful and utterly touching tribute to her late husband in
“Red Tail,” Kate superbly shows her talent for translating various emotions into well-written and arranged songs. The more
I listen to this, the more I appreciate Kate’s spirit and voice. Other picks: “King of the Pond,” “Sun Did Shine,” and “Cholene.”
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