Jazz Central Artist Bios
Jazz Central Studios is owned and operated by local jazz musicians Tanner Taylor and Mac Santiago. Both heavy hitters in their own right, Tanner and Mac have come together to cultivate one of the most authentic jazz hotspots in the Twin Cities.
Tanner Taylor, Piano
Taylor studied under Jack Oatts and Manhattan School of Music's Garry Dial. In 2001, he relocated from Des Moines to Minneapolis where he has become one of Minnesota's most sought after jazz pianists.
Catch Tanner tickling the ivories with all of the Twin Cities' finest vocalists, as well as leading his own groups at local jazz hot-spots such as the Dakota and the Artists' Quarter. In addition to jazz, he performs with the world-beat/pop/latin band "Tickle Fight". He has also performed with jazz notables Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Lew Tabackin, David "Fathead" Newman, Steve Turre, Wycliffe Gordon, Wes "Warm Daddy" Anderson, Dick Oatts, Eric Alexander, Bobby Shew, Steve Smith, Jaleel Shaw, Delfeayo Marsalis, Barbara Morrison, Marilyn Maye, and Five By Design.
Taylor's teaching credentials include a 5-year stint at the Institute of Production and Recording, over 10 years experience as a private instructor and numerous appearances as a clinician and adjudicator.
Mac Santiago, Drums/ Percussion
Mac Santiago B.M.,M.F. is a premier jazz drummer/ percussionist in Minneapolis, MN. Originally from Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay area, he has been hangin' in Minneapolis since 1982. He studied music at several different colleges and earned a bachelor's degree in 1980. Mac spent a few years in L.A. and on the road before he moved to the Twin Cities. Over the years, Mac has toured and performed with Badfinger, Whiskey River, Twin City Jammers, Minnesota Opera, Guthrie Theatre, Latin Jazz Combo (Leader), "One Offs"with Grover Washington Jr, Doc Severinsen, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Dallas Brass, Jack McDuff, Paul Bollenbeck and can be heard on numerous recording projects. For years Mac has been free-lancing with Twin Cities top local artists: Laurie Trach, Dean Magraw, Debbie Duncan, Dennis Spears, Bobby Peterson, Ed Berger, Lucia Newell, Move, Sue Tucker, Bernie Edstrom, Adi Yeshya, Maud Hixson, Tanner Taylor Trio, Wolverines Trio and The Cedar Avenue Big Band, just to name a few.
In January 2011 Mac released his first method book entitled "Beyond the Metronome." Oddly enough, it is not a drum method but a comprehensive look at timekeeping and tempo in music and the development of one's internal clock, or as he describes it, "inchronation." Go to www.inchronicity.com for more information.