James Taylor [ tickets ], who for years has been one of the most consistent draws on the summer amphitheatre circuit, will tour more intimate venues this fall with the backing of symphony orchestras. He'll open the tour in Rochester, N.Y., on Sept. 29 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

The folk rock mainstay played another symphonic tour in 1995. If the past is a guide, Taylor can be expected to play a mixture of his hits along with a smattering of classics from the likes of George Gershwin and Marvin Hamlisch.

Taylor booked only a limited number of North American shows this summer, instead opting to tour Europe. He wrapped up his European jaunt earlier this month, and will follow up with nearly 30 symphonic shows over two months.

Among other developments on the James Taylor [ tickets ] front, he's rumored to be among the performers that will play at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 14 for a show called ''Carole King: Making Music With Friends.'' According to a July newspaper report, Reba McEntire, Luther Vandross, Rickie Lee Jones, Mavis Staples and Boyz II Men will also be a part of the show, which will benefit three charities.

A biography by Ian Halperin titled ''Fire and Rain: The James Taylor Story'' (Birch Lane) is scheduled for release in November. Meanwhile, six remastered Taylor albums from years past are scheduled to hit the streets on Oct. 19: ''JT'' (1977), ''Flag'' (1979), ''Dad Loves His Work'' (1981), ''That's Why I'm Here'' (1985), ''Never Die Young'' (1988) and ''New Moon Shine'' (1991).

For New Year's Eve, Taylor is booked to play at the new Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena in North Carolina.