The Inside Story: Darryl Taylor and DEAR FRIENDS & GENTLE HEARTS

DEAR FRIENDS & GENTLE HEARTS from Albany Records celebrates the decades-long friendship and shared mission of Louise Toppin and Darryl Taylor in promoting classical vocal music by Black composers. This album features compositions by Black composers across generations, reflecting on cultural and societal issues. Many pieces were commissioned for or dedicated to the artists, highlighting their deep connections with the composers.

Today, Darryl is our featured artist in the “Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to learn about his early gospel and r&b influences and his hopes for listeners of his Albany Records release…

Tell us about your first performance.

I first “performed” in the living room of our family home with my older sister. She was my first vocal inspiration. Later, I took the mic for a solo performance at church, singing gospel. 

What advice would you give to your younger self if given the chance?

I’d suggest patience in the process to my younger self. I’d pat him on the back for marching to the tune of his own drum, and offer encouragement for doing so. 

What emotions do you hope listeners will experience after hearing your work?

As long as listeners have a genuine emotional experience, I think there’s a broad range of them to be experienced. I would hope listeners feel the awesome privilege of being alive and able to connect with one another over time and space. 

What were your first musical experiences?

As I mentioned, my sister influenced me early on. As I became more serious about performing, I initially saw myself as an r&b vocalist. Peabo Bryson and Donnie Hathaway were inspirations. My life as an artist of Western classical music didn’t really begin to take shape until I entered college at USC. My grad work at UM, especially the influence of George Shirley, sealed the deal. 

What’s the greatest performance you’ve ever seen, and what made it special?

That has to be seeing and hearing Leontyne Price in recital. I heard her a few times. The most impactful was a Pasadena performance where she connected with the physical space, our ears and hearts, and the ethereal. I had never before nor since heard anything quite like it. 

What musical mentor had the greatest impact on your artistic journey? Is there any wisdom they’ve imparted onto you that still resonates today? 

George Shirley taught me as much about being a man as he did about singing. He taught me to be a man of purpose, to aspire to greatness despite adversity. He taught me that what is meant to be, will be.