FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION:

*BEST JAZZ PERFORMANCE
The Baylor Project
Walk With Me, Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT)

Video Link:
Walk With Me, Lord (SOUND l SPIRIT)
https://baylorproject.lnk.to/walkwithme/youtube

Credits:
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA
on February 2, 2024

Executive Produced by “The Baylors”Produced and Arranged by
Marcus and Jean Baylor
Tracking Engineer: Greg Chung 
Mixed & Mastered by Rich Breen

Walk with Me, Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT)
Written by: Unknown
(Traditional Song, Public Domain)

Marcus Baylor/MBaylorMusic (BMI)

Jean Baylor/JBaylorMusic (BMI)
Source (African-American Spiritual)

PERSONNEL:
Jean Baylor (vocals)
Marcus Baylor (drums)

Photograph by Matthew Placek
Graphic Design: Ben Tousley
Wardrobe Styling: Darryl Glover
Hairstylist for Jean: Tony MedleyHair Colorist for Jean: Tracy Goins
Make Up: Renee Garnes
Assistant: Ashleigh Been

Liner Notes by Andre Kimo Stone Guess
Walk with Me, Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT)
Providence  (prɑː.və.dəns)
a)an influence that is not human in origin and is thought to control people’s lives.
b)divine guidance or care

Prophetic (prəˈfet̬.ɪk):
a)accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future
b)saying correctly what will happen in the future

 Anyone who has known Marcus Baylor or Jean (Norris) Baylor for any part of their lives, from birth, to this current moment as the powerhouse couple at the helm of the Baylor Project, knows that the above two words have been a significant part of their journey.

 This duo performance of Walk with Me Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT), was serendipitously captured at the Apogee offices in Los Angeles in early 2024.  Little did they know that this recording was prophetic and came as a consequence of providence.

 One might think that a duo performance of a husband and wife is nothing out of the ordinary. But what if the husband plays drums and the wife is a vocalist?  On the surface that might seem odd and even something that one might not be interested in, but when you realize that the voice and percussion are two of the oldest forms of musical expression known to human beings and when you dig deeper into Marcus and Jean’s journey you realize that this recording was supposed to happen.

 So, you’d better listen up!

The title track of The Baylor Project’s inaugural album The Journey, also a duet, was actually a prophetic precursor to Walk with Me, Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT).

On that duo track, Jean’s vocal musings float above the firm footing and foundation of Marcus’ percussive stylings. Archival recordings of the voices of their parents tell the story of how the couple’s journey began.

“…you see my little boy over there [playing the drums],” declared Elder Willie G. Baylor Sr. from the pulpit of Faith Miracle Temple in St. Louis. Young Marcus, who was around 7 years old, was a part of the music ministry of the church.  “…he didn’t go to school [to learn] to play them drums…he was born to play them.”  The late Elder Baylor proudly proclaimed, on behalf of himself and his wife, Mattie E. Baylor, from whence their young son’s gift came, lest there be any question.  

In another audio clip later in the track, Jean’s mother, Joan Norris, is asked the question, “…the Lord told you that Jean was going to be a singer?” to which she replied, “Yeah…she’d be cooing and singing when she was a baby; I said this baby’s gonna be a singer.”

Marcus and Jean are both PK’s (Preacher’s Kids) - Jean’s late father, Reverend Dr. Dennis E. Norris Sr., was the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Moorestown, NJ.  Their parents prophetically pointed their progeny on the path of providence.

Nearly a quarter century after meeting, and after 22 years of marriage, three album releases, 7 GRAMMY® Nominations and an NAACP Image Award, the couple found themselves during GRAMMY® Week at Apogee studios, as brand new endorsers of their equipment.  Apogee had invited them to test out a new piece of equipment with an impromptu live performance.

After one live take of Walk with Me, Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT), a long-standing prayer in the form of a song, and a short interview, everyone in the room knew that they had captured something special.  The song has been such a staple in the African American community over generations and is as relevant today as it ever has been, so it was a no-brainer to release it in celebration of Black Music Month and Juneteenth.

In Jean’s voice and Marcus’ rhythmic rumination you hear the challenges and pain they have faced and the praise and thanksgiving for the blessings on their journey.  Through it all they have invited the Lord to walk alongside them for the entire journey.

Walk with Me, Lord (SOUND I SPIRIT), is the latest stop on the Baylor’s journey.  This song was recorded and is being released for a reason.  You’d better get on board and listen up!