Julian Taylor is a Toronto-based Afro-Mohawk singer-songwriter whose decades-long career has been marked by resilience, reinvention, and critical acclaim. Taylor first gained recognition as the frontman of the rock band Staggered Crossing, which he co-founded as a teenager. The band achieved notable success in the Canadian music scene before disbanding in 2007. Following that, Taylor continued to evolve as an artist, forming the Julian Taylor Band and later embarking on a solo career that has brought him widespread recognition.

Taylor’s major solo breakthrough came with his 2020 album The Ridge, a deeply personal and acoustic project that showcased his soulful baritone voice and introspective songwriting. The album earned him two JUNO Award nominations, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Solo Artist of the Year, five Native American Music Award nominations, and a Polaris Music Prize nomination. The Ridge resonated with audiences worldwide, blending elements of folk, soul, and Americana while exploring themes of identity, family, and heritage.

In 2022, Taylor released Beyond the Reservoir, further cementing his status as a leading voice in Canadian roots music. The album received multiple accolades, including nominations from the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards and the JUNO Awards. Taylor seamlessly transitions between electrified rhythm-and-blues performances with his band and solo acoustic sets at folk festivals. His music has been featured in television shows such as Degrassi: The Next Generation, Kim’s Convenience, and Elementary, broadening his reach beyond traditional music audiences.

Taylor’s artistry is deeply informed by his cultural roots and personal journey. Growing up in Toronto with West Indian and Mohawk ancestry, he often grappled with questions of identity and now embraced his multiple backgrounds alongside one another in songs like “Stolen Lands,” which discusses the similarities and differences in systemic racism inflicted against Black and Indigenous communities. Today, Taylor is celebrated not only for his musical talent but also for his ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt storytelling and genre-defying compositions.

Awards:

• Canadian Folk Music Awards (2021), Solo Artist of the Year
• Folk Music Ontario (2023), Performing Artist of the Year