In Lieu of 1000 Words: Myra

Let’s take a break from recalling museum history and appreciate living history.

Late last month Myra Taylor turned 93 years young.

Be sure you read that wording right. Because anyone as feisty and vivacious as Myra acts on stage cannot be referred to as old. The kid is 93 years young.

A profile a decade ago in The Kansas City Star’s Star Magazine noted that she started in show business at age 15. She may be best known for her years as the singer with Harlan Leonard’s big band, The Rockets, in the 1940s. After spending much of the 1960s and ‘70s in Europe, she returned to the US, settling in Hollywood and landing in a few episodes of The Jeffersons. But in 1994 family brought her back to KC. And this city is most decidedly the better for it.

Actually, one statement in the last paragraph isn’t quite right. Myra Taylor is probably best known today, singing with the Wild Women of Kansas City. Along with singers Geneva Price, Lori Tucker and Millie Edwards, you cannot find a more enjoyable, just downright fun, night of music than these ladies – each one a wonderful vocalist – deliver.

A 2007 NPR interview and (way too short) performance can be found here.

The Wild Women played all over KC the week of Myra’s birthday. I caught them Friday night at The Blue Room. Here’s a smidgen of the wildness we enjoyed (clicking on a photo should open a larger version of it).

 

The Wild Women of Kansas City. Left to right: Lori Tucker, Geneva Price, Millie Edwards, Myra Taylor

 

Behind the ladies: Kevin Young on bass, Mark Kaplan on drums, Mike Moreland on electric piano

Myra Taylor

 

Lori, Geneva, Millie and Myra

 

The Wild Women of Kansas City