Gilbert Taylor

Gilbert Taylor

(May 5, 1937 – September 29, 2015)

Gilbert Taylor, jazz educator, historian and presenter, had a smooth and eloquent speaking style with his ability to tell stories and teach lessons on the historic Crispus Attucks nostalgia or of the Caribbean/African influences he had learned in his extensive travels and research. He was the founder and first curator for the Indianapolis Public School Crispus Attucks Museum.

Dr. Taylor, as he was often referred, received his master’s degree in education from Indiana University and had been an administrator at six colleges and universities throughout the United States. He was on the alumni board of the University of Indianapolis and worked with the Witherspoon Performing Arts Program. 

He served as President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation of Worcester MA, Soul People Repertory Company and many other organizations. He was a coordinator and curator for many art exhibits throughout Indiana. He lived in Africa for four years, moved to Europe, where he nurtured his love of museums.

Gilbert Taylor produced and hosted his own TV show as well as being a guest host and featured guest for several Indianapolis Channels. He had been featured in exhibits, newspapers, newsletters and has appeared in Ebony Magazine and in a history book on Worcester, MA. He was recognized in "Who's Who" with four major organizations and has traveled most of the US, West and North coast of Africa, Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America.