J.P. Taylor grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. As a youngster, he had two main interests: nature and music. In his early teens he taught himself how to play guitar, motivated by the music of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. J.P. began writing and recording his own songs early on, but eschewed pursuing music as a career.
After moving to Florida in 1978, J.P. auditioned for and got a position as radio announcer on a popular local station. He worked at several stations over the next few years and his experience in broadcasting eventually led him to a position as head of advertising and marketing with a manufacturing firm.
In the early 1990s J.P. decided he’d had enough of the business world and returned to university to pursue a teaching degree. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1992, and has been teaching since that time. In 1996 J.P. accepted a one year position teaching at the International Primary School of Zurich, Switzerland. It was there that the idea of recording songs he had written and sung with his students came about.
Immediately after returning to the
states J.P. began the process of recording what would become his first cd:
Singin’ Songs of Science.
After learning the ropes of producing and
marketing his own cd, J.P. embarked on writing a collection of songs on the
subject he is most passionate about: the environment. He returned to
the studio to record Singin’ for the Earth in 1999.
The next year another eco-themed disc The Eyes of the World was
released, featuring a more organic, primal sound (including authentic
African drums and a didgeridoo) and a message of environmental
responsibility.
In 2003 J.P. wrote and produced a follow-up science cd:
Singin’ Songs of Science – Vol.2, with more catchy, pop oriented tunes
for the classroom.
J.P.'s fifth album The Last Frontier is scheduled for release in 2008.