Tacoma jazz guitarist Ed Taylor has Gibson Guitars in his camp, an honor that allows him to play what he feels are the best guitars in the world. His Gibson of choice: the Steve Howe ES-175, which he works masterfully on his latest CD, Songs From A Taylor.

The Weekly Volcano asked Taylor if he felt an impact being backed by the highly respected guitar company.



He shared that it’s earned him more automatic respect from other professional musicians when they see his gear, and they have a desire to work with him.



One such professional musician, jazz guitarist Peter White, is the featured guest on the CD’s title song. White performed and wrote songs with Al Stewart (“Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat”). Taylor loved White’s unique style and multi-instrumental abilities, and knowing him for quite some time asked him to perform on the project.



With track titles like “The Zipper” and “Buttons,” Songs From A Taylor is the conceptual follow up to Taylor’s last CD, TaylorMade. Mostly instrumental smooth jazz originals with three covers and a few traditional jazz and funk numbers, Taylor describes this third offering as “encompassing art, love, and the feelings of jazz/funk and chill. It’s a feel good CD.”



Catch Taylor and his band Friday at Puyallup’s HG Bistro, Sept. 27 at the official CD release party at the Gibson Guitar Showroom in Seattle (159 S. Jackson St., Suite 330), and Oct. 4 at the Emerald Queen Casino. — jennifer Johnson



[HG Bistro, Friday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m., no cover, 1618 E. Main, Puyallup, 253.845.5747, www.edtaylormusic.com]