Jazz A. Taylor

In lieu of flowers, donations to the funeral home are kindly requested to help offset the cost of this sudden and unexpected loss.

You can donate HERE .  Thank you.

Click HERE to view a recording of the service

**********************************************************************************

Celebrating the Life of Jazz Taylor March 25, 1995 – August 6, 2025

From the moment Jazz Andrew Taylor entered the world on March 25, 1995, in Washington, DC, it was clear he was meant to leave an imprint on every life he touched. His kindness, patience, and forgiving nature made him someone you could always turn to, whether you needed advice, a laugh, or simply someone to listen without judgment.

Growing up in Laurel and Columbia, Maryland, Jazz had an adaptable personality in various intimate settings. He had a way of forming sibling-like bonds with everyone, making friends feel like family and family feel even closer. His infectious laugh, the kind that made others enjoy his sense of humor, could light up a room and lift the heaviest moods.

Jazz attended James H. Harrison Elementary, and then continued his education in Columbia, Maryland at Oakland Mills High School, where he discovered his love for football, playing tight end and special teams on the varsity team. He then pursued his education at Howard Community College, where he worked at the student union and was selected as employee of the month for the entire workforce at Howard Community College.

From an early age, Jazz nurtured a love for poetry. A dreamer at heart, he poured his creativity into music as an aspiring rap artist. Performing under the name Double Z, he recorded his first full-length EP, Tsunami, in 2018, featuring Fidel Cashflow. The project was met with enthusiasm from peers and fans alike, who admired his ability to weave his emotions, life experiences and melodic production into powerful lyrics.

Athletic and energetic, Jazz found joy in sports beyond football. In his early twenties, he developed a passion for soccer, joining local recreational leagues where he quickly became a well-known favorite, forming lasting friendships along the way. Whether crossing opponents on the soccer field or outplaying cousins on the basketball court, his competitive spirit was matched only by the fun and camaraderie he brought to the game.

Outside of his personal passions, Jazz was deeply committed to his work at UPS. He approached his job with the same focus, reliability, and pride that he brought to every area of his life, earning the respect of colleagues and the admiration of friends. Determined to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Jay Taylor, a member of the UPS Circle of Honor, Jazz worked diligently toward his own career milestones.

Jazz was funny, often catching his family off guard with playful banter, but beneath the humor was a man who cared deeply, loved fully, and listened with his whole heart.

Among all his relationships, Jazz shared an extraordinary bond with his mother, one built on unconditional love, mutual respect, and quiet admiration. Through heartfelt conversations, handwritten poems, and countless small acts of care, he showed himself to be not only a devoted son, but also a young man growing steadily into the best version of himself.

Though his time with us was far too short, Jazz lived in a way that will never be forgotten. His patience, generosity, and warmth will continue to inspire us; his laughter will echo in our memories; and his love will remain a steady presence in the lives of all who knew him.

He leaves behind his immediate loving family, mother Ruth Hopson Taylor, father Juan Taylor (wife Venus Taylor), brother Jamil Taylor (wife Sarah Taylor), nephew Barack Taylor, the love of his life and girlfriend Arais Torres, his best friends Woody Rousseau, Terron Johnson and a host of wonderful uncles, aunts, cousins, god-brothers, god-sisters, friends and loved ones who will carry his memory forward.