Averil Taylor holds a bachelors degree in music (trumpet) from Clark Atlanta University. There he had the opportunity to study trumpet with Mr. John Head, principal trumpeter for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for over thirty years. This instruction, combined with the experiences provided by Mr. James Patterson director of the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra, gave Averil a strong foundation on the trumpet. Averil's experience with the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra gave him the chance to interact and perform with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kirk Whalum, Ramses Lewis, Jon Faddis, James Moody, Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Roy Hargrove, and others. The experience that was gained by performing in the Montreaux Jazz Festival (Montreaux, Switzerland) and the Umbria Jazz Festival (Umbria, Italy) and the North Sea Jazz Festivals (Den Haag, Netherlands), gave Averil an international perspective on how jazz music is appreciated in other countries.
Averil also had the opportunity to teach middle school band. This gave him the chance to apply the perspective that he gained in college to teach young people how to play marching, concert, and jazz music. The music program at Tucker Middle School was at one point during his employment the largest in DeKalb County. Averil was particularly instrumental in developing a relationship between the Tucker Middle School Jazz band and the Clark Atlanta University Jazz program. This relationship remains intact. Averil was also instrumental in making the connection between the Tucker Middle School Jazz band and the Rialto Jazz for Kids program at Georgia State University. This program, developed by Dr. Gordon Vernick, coordinator of Jazz Studies at Georgia State University, sends professional musicians/collegiate educators out to metro Atlanta public school jazz programs. Averil was also responsible for starting a new 6th grade band program at the Tucker Middle School South Annex.
Averil earned his Master's in Jazz Studies at Georgia State University in 2011. His experience at Georgia State has given him the chance to further hone his skills both as a musician and an educator. Through Dr. Gordon Vernick's leadership at Georgia State University, Averil has had the opportunity to interact with jazz greats like Jon Faddis, Kenny Garrett, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Lovano, Jerry Bergonzi, Roger Ingram and others. Averil has become a better musician and educator as a result of his experience at Georgia State. Averil is constantly looking for ways to increase his effectiveness as a musician and instructor.