The Evening : Live At APPARATUS The Baylor Project

• 1 Our Love Is Here To Stay (Live At APPARATUS) 06:23
• 2 Lord Keep Me Day By Day (Live At APPARATUS) 02:18
• 3 Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Live At APPARATUS) 06:28
• 4 Call Of The Drum (Live At APPARATUS) 03:25
• 5 Tell Me A Story (Live At APPARATUS) 08:58
• 6 Tenderly (Live At APPARATUS) 08:18
• 7 We Swing (The Cypher) (Live At APPARATUS) 06:45
• 8 Love Makes Me Sing (Live At APPARATUS) 06:36
• 9 2020 (Live At APPARATUS) 10:08
• 10 Happy To Be With You (Live At APPARATUS) 08:40
• 11 Only Believe (Live At APPARATUS) 10:25
• Total Runtime 01:18:24

Info for The Evening : Live At APPARATUS

The Evening: Live at APPARATUS, a new live album from 4x GRAMMY® nominated duo The Baylor Project. This immersive, soul-stirring set was recorded in front of an engaged live audience at APPARATUS — an interdisciplinary design studio in New York City. For three magical nights, the indomitable couple and their exceptional band graced the stage at MUMS, an ephemeral jazz club created within APPARATUS’ gallery. The Evening: Live at APPARATUS displays the transformative power of performance, in a presentation of both style and substance.

The Baylor Project’s outstanding live performances have brought audiences to their feet worldwide. Whether performing at a world-class festival for thousands of concert-goers, or for a small attentive audience in a tucked-away club, these married musical partners have been known to put on a show that is both uplifting and transcendent. As the children of pastors, Marcus and Jean saw the sublime, restorative power of music first-hand. This rich life experience comes through in their magnificent live shows, where audience members often leave feeling like family.

Their commanding performance captured the attention of Gabriel Hendifar, the Artistic Director of APPARATUS, whose design practice explores the relationship between lighting, furniture, and objects in their environment. Hendifar’s latest collection, titled Act Four, took inspiration from cultural touchpoints of the 1960s and jazz music of the era. He knew he wanted to design a jazz club to celebrate the collection launch during New York Design Week, but he needed the final piece: the musical muse to bring the entire concept together. When Hendifar's team stumbled upon a video of The Baylor Project's vibrant "We Swing" he knew he had met his match. He named the jazz club MUMS, after the thousands of peach-colored chrysanthemums that tastefully adorned the dimly-lit space. Light fixtures that managed to be both retro and contemporary glowed beyond the bandstand, as the light chatter of an excited, well-healed audience filled the room. When Jean Baylor, dressed in a striking mod-era golden sheath dress came to the stage with her smartly dressed counterpart Marcus, followed by their stylish band, it became abundantly clear that this would be a night to remember.

The room immediately warmed to the group which included pianist Terry Brewer, saxophonist Keith Loftis, trumpeter Darren Barrett, trombonist Mark Williams, and bassist Yasushi Nakamura. Marcus immediately set the mood on The Evening: Live at Apparatus with his inviting call to worship on “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” before Brewer shines on a solo piano feature, titled “Lord Keep Me Day By Day” which launches into their fan-favorite reimagination of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. The beautiful arrangement showcases Keith Loftis on a fiery soprano saxophone solo.

Marcus is featured on the drum solo interlude “Call of the Drum”, which, over nearly four minutes, chronicles his vast musical journey from playing in his father’s church in St. Louis to his experiences playing with jazz icons Yellowjackets and Kenny Garrett. This moves into “Tell Me a Story”, a lyrical remake of Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Me a Bedtime Story”. On “Tenderly” Jean takes her time with the warm embrace of this old standard, before stepping into “We Swing (The Cypher)”. Having first appeared on Generations and named one of the Top Tracks of 2021 by NPR Music, Jean sings the parts previously sung by Jazzmeia Horn and Dianne Reeves on this exciting rendition as she whips the crowd into a frenzy. The energy transfers to the slower pace of “Love Makes Me Sing”, as the delighted audience sings along.

The pace changes on the contemplative and powerful “2020”, which is a bluesy prayer sung in the spirit of the Negro Spiritual. A somber reflection on modern racial oppression, the energy in the room is palpable throughout this striking highlight. The set concludes with the affirming sendoff “Only Believe”. “Laugh and Move On” is the tasty bonus track, and features some notable three-part harmony with the horn section.

The setlist performed at APPARATUS pulls from The Baylor Project’s previous releases including their 2017 debut The Journey, which debuted in the top ten on the Billboard Jazz Chart and went on to garner two GRAMMY® nominations (for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Traditional R&B Performance for their song “Laugh And Move On”). Generations, which was released last June, gained them a fourth GRAMMY® nod (in 2020, their pandemic-era anthem “Sit On Down” was nominated) and won the NAACP Image Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album topping the Jazzweek Radio chart. Both albums have received worldwide commercial and critical acclaim. Jean and Marcus are thrilled to add a live album to their growing discography.

“We create moments that feel like mirages,” says Hendifar, describing the experiences he creates to celebrate the launch of a new collection. “They are here for a moment in time, and then they’re gone. We invite you to step into a dream and part of the magic is that it’s only going to happen once – the dream disappears.” Fortunately, The Evening: Live at APPARATUS preserves a taste of that magical weekend and invites us all to revel in it.

The Baylor Project

The Baylor Project
What is "The Baylor Project?"

A husband. A wife. An astonishing duo built on love, family, faith, culture and community.

These are the things that power The Baylor Project featuring Jean Baylor and Marcus Baylor. This enticing collaboration is steeped in the heart and soul of jazz. As the children of Pastors, Marcus and Jean's musical roots were planted deep within the church, and it was there that the road was paved for the influence of gospel, blues, soul, and jazz to make it’s mark. Their debut CD "The Journey", released on their own label, Be A Light, topped the Billboard Jazz Chart at Number 8 in 2017 and a year later garnered 2 GRAMMY® Nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Traditional R&B Performance. Two years later during one of the most challenging years in recent history, The Baylors released their single, “Sit On Down” in 2020 which earned a 3rd GRAMMY® Nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance, solidifying The Baylor Project as an undeniable force. Their second album, “Generations,” will be released during Black Music Month and on the eve of Juneteenth, June 18th. This musical offering is a cultural anthology rooted in everyday life experiences that celebrate love, family, faith, and community. As you listen to The Baylor Project you will be taken on an eclectic musical journey that showcases as much versatility as it does virtuosity.

Jean, a “Jersey Girl”, was introduced to jazz in college as a Vocal Performance Major at Temple University, where she was heavily influenced by artists such as Carmen McCrae, Jimmy Scott, and Shirley Horn. She subsequently made her mark as one-half of the platinum recording duo, Zhane´. In time, Jean grew into a composer, arranger, producer and bandleader. She has been a featured guest artist on performances and recordings with artists including Yellowjackets, Kenny Garrett, Marcus Miller and legendary bassist, Buster Williams. Well-equipped with an agile mezzo-soprano range, Jean combines a fresh, whimsical approach to phrasing with clever improvisation resulting in singing of such vocal purity that she embraces the soul.

Marcus, a St. Louis native, is widely recognized as the former member and drummer of the GRAMMY® Award winning jazz quartet, Yellowjackets. While studying and graduating from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, he performed and recorded with musical icons including Cassandra Wilson, John Scofield, and Kenny Garrett. Since then, Marcus has come into his own as a composer, arranger, producer and bandleader. With his natural feel, creative use of space and innovative ability to tell a story, his musicianship and improvisation are those of a seasoned musician.

Marcus and Jean’s combined musicianship is unmatched. Their dynamic performances are soulful to the bone. The Baylors will raise you up and inspire you to clap along with them, as they entice your ears with a swinging mid-tempo tune. Yet, at a moments’ notice, you may be moved to tears when they change the atmosphere with a spiritual song that will stir the emotions. They perform original compositions and new arrangements of classic pieces. They utilize sincerity and maturity far beyond their years to deliver ballads with storied grace and elegance, and grit. And what’s more is that Marcus and Jean have the uncanny ability to bridge the gap between generations. They are relatable, they are virtuosic, and for these reasons they captivate packed houses and sold out audiences.

The Baylor Project pays homage to their wide-ranging musical influences, and in doing so, generate an eclectic sound whose overall effect is spiritual, buoyant, feel good music.

Soulful. Melodic. Authentic. “The Baylor Project.”

Married musicians vocalist Jean Baylor and drummer Marcus Baylor have created a captivating “project” that meets at the 3-way intersection of Jazz, Gospel and Legacy. Brimming with aural snapshots of their individual roots and the sacred space where they come together, it is a very unique album that soothes the soul... -Urban Music Scene (by A. Scott Galloway)

Booklet for The Evening : Live At APPARATUS