Part of the Overture to Overtown Jazz Series Progressive Jazz Night

Carole Ann Taylor, a connoisseur of classic jazz, is Miami’s most soulful jazz and cabaret singer. CAT, as she is affectionately called by her fans, began singing as a child in the choir of her father’s historic Baptist church in Harlem and at her alma mater, Central State University. She began her professional career in the 1960’s where she performed on TV, at park festivals and clubs, including the 21 Club and leading resorts. She performed in New York City, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., the Catskills, U.S. Virgin Islands and Miami. She was the recipient of a five year contract from Duke Ellington in 1970 and studied under Luther Henderson, Duke Ellington’s vocal coach, as well as Brooks Alexander. She has performed with Lionel Hampton, Cedar Walton, Buck Clayton, Buddy Tate, Danny Mixon, Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Donald Smith, Jet Nero, Howard Moss, Jim Gasior, Allen Paul, Tal Cohen and South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame recipients Pete Minger, Eric Knight, Billy Rolle, Jimmy Crawford, Don Mosely and Ray Ray. She performed in Miami at several clubs including the former Playboy Club, Tobacco Road, the Mutiny, Regine’s the Gingerman and Jazid. Since returning to her vocal career after a 30 year hiatus to raise her sons and run her businesses she has performed at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, Music In The Park, SJO Sundays, Sunny Isles Jazz Festival, African Heritage Theatre, Red Rooster Miami and regularly appears at the Betsy Hotel on Miami Beach and Casablanca on the Bay in the Doubletree Grand Hotel in downtown Miami.