T-Mad's Music - Interview with Jean Baylor (formerly of Zhané)

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Today is Sunday, February 5th, 2012

T-MAD’S MUSIC INTERVIEWS JEAN BAYLOR (formerly of ZHANÉ)
(An e-mail interview from March, 2007)

The year was 1994 and the R&B music scene was treated to a new duo called Zhané. Much like Nigerian-born, London-raised singer Sade before them, Zhané had a unique name which had to be phonetically spelled out for people to be able to pronounce. Hence, their debut CD on Motown was titled Pronounced Jah-Nay. This duo was comprised of Temple University graduates Jean Norris and Renée Neufville. The two college friends crafted an easy going style of music which showcased their harmonizing style of singing, their piano playing prowess, and a layered production style which was very easy on the ears with its moderate tempo. Songs like Hey Mr. D.J., Groove Thang, Vibe, and Sending My Love were chart hits and radio and video favorites. This was during the Donnie Simpson era of BET and they were definitely favorites on BET’s Video Soul back then.

While enjoying the success of their debut CD, Jean and Renée took some time to be involved with a movie soundtrack. Comedian Keenan Ivory Wayans (“In Living Color”) made a cop comedy titled A Low Down Dirty Shame where he played a private detective named Shame who had to deal with everything from sexual tension with his secretary/sidekick (played by Jada Pinkett Smith) to a guard dog who had to be serenaded with James Brown music. Zhané provided a very nice remake of the Evelyn “Champagne” King classic Shame as the theme song to the movie.

A couple of years later they contributed another nice remake, this time the Chic classic Good Times, to the CD set NBA At 50, a celebration of the National Basketball Association’s 50th anniversary. The following year, in 1997, the ladies returned with their sophomore CD on Motown titled Saturday Night. Continuing their laid back musical vibe, this funky follow up CD featured the hits Request Line, the aforementioned Chic remake, and the title song. Additionally, they checked in with a nice slowed down version of the Billy Joel classic For The Longest Time. Then, all of a sudden, they disappeared from the music scene. So what happened?

Fast forward ten years later to the present. Jean Norris is now Jean Baylor, married to jazz group The Yellowjackets’ drummer Marcus Baylor, and is an independent solo artist with a new CD titled Testimony: My Life Story on her own label, Be A Light Records. It’s great to find out that she is back on the music scene again. I sampled the excerpts from her new CD on her website, www.jeanbaylor.com, and she sounds great. The CD has a very nice, easy flowing sound.

T-Mad’s Music is proud to be able to present this interview with Jean Baylor, formerly of the group Zhané.

Jean, who were some of your musical influences growing up? Who are you into now in the music scene?

I have many influences from years past. My first influence as a child was Gospel/Christian music, Andraé Crouch, Sandi Patti and lots of Hymns. In my teens, I listened to a lot of R/B, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, etc., some of the early Hip-Hop, Pop & Soft Rock music, The Police, etc. and then in college studied and performed traditional Jazz (Carmen McCrae, Shirley Horn, etc.). These days, I don’t listen to music as much, but there are a lot of great artists out there. I love so many, including Tye Tribbett & GA, Lalah Hathaway, Alanis Morissette, Anthony Hamilton, India Arie, Corrine Bailey Rae, John Mayer, John Legend, Sara Groves, CeCe Winans, and the list goes on and on.

Let’s go back to the early days with Renée Neufville. How did you two meet and get together? How did Zhané get started and what made you two decide to get into the music business and form the duo?

Reneé and I met at Temple University and quickly became friends. We were assigned to the same dormitory and starting hanging out. It didn’t take long to discover that we both loved music. We sang together for fun and then began winning talent shows. We even got hired to perform on campus for the Black Arts Festival. Not long after, we auditioned for a few record labels, one of which was Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit. That’s when we recorded “Hey, Mr. DJ“ and it became our first hit record.

What was it like for you and Renée as a group in the nineties? What were some of the highs and lows?

As a group in the nineties, we enjoyed the success that we experienced with charted hits, videos, and an image that seemed to influence many people, mainly African-American women. The industry seemed a little more open and it allowed for more balance in the music that people hear day to day.

What made the two of you go your separate ways after only two CDs, both successful (Pronounced Jah-Nay, Saturday Night)?

In 2000, I made the decision to step away from the group. Although it was a great experience, I was ready to move on and explore music as an individual. Sometimes, in a group setting, it can be difficult to have that kind of creative freedom. Zhané was an awesome time and season in my life. Now, I have moved into a new time and season for this part of my life.

Ah, the perfect transition to talk about your new CD, Testimony: My Life Story. Where were you emotionally, spiritually, and creatively when you made this CD?

“Testimony: my life story” is just that; a true picture of my personal life experiences. After living my life my way for quite some time, I wanted to live life God’s way. When I made that commitment to God, everything in my life came together. That’s how the creation of this album began. Creatively, I was able to express myself through singing, songwriting and production. I learned a lot and this album helped me to grow as a person.

Jean, how is it being a solo artist in today’s musical atmosphere after so many years (ten years since Zhané’s last CD)? Was it challenging taking the independent route?

I love being a solo artist although there are challenges in every situation. Even though the industry is crazy right now, there are still some really great artists out there. That’s always encouraging. I also love being an “independent artist” because there’s so much freedom and ownership. There’s also a lot of responsibility. It’s not easy, to say the least, but, nothing is, really.

What are your thoughts about today’s music? How do you compare it to the mid-nineties R&B scene?

I think the biggest difference in today’s music as compared to the nineties is the lack of balance in what is presented to the public through the major media outlets. In the nineties, you had different kinds of R&B, Hip-Hop, etc. all playing on the same radio and video stations. Now, it’s mostly one thing. It’s very lop-sided in that way.

I want to say congratulations on your marriage to Marcus Baylor fron the jazz group The Yellowjackets, whose music I also have in my collection and enjoy very much. How did the two of you meet? When did you tie the knot?

In September of 2000, I was scheduled to perform at an ASCAP event. Two weeks before the event, I needed a drummer and was given Marcus’ number. I was a Yellowjackets fan and was excited about him playing on the gig. He agreed to do it and we kept in touch from there. About a year later we got married.

What are the chances of the two of you doing anything together on record in the future — either you on a Yellowjackets CD or them or Marcus on your project?

Actually, I have recorded (3) songs with the Yellowjackets, “Healing Waters” (Time Squared CD), “The Hope” (Altered State CD) and “The First Noel” (Peace ‘Round CD). It is always a pleasure to work with the guys; they are amazing musicians.

Do you and Renée still keep in touch?

Yes, Reneé and I do keep in touch. Reneé and I have been friends ever since we met in college in 1988 and will always be friends. There are still times when something really funny happens and I say to myself, “Wow, that was a Reneé moment!” because it’s something that only she and I would get.

Since people are always talking about reunions, any chance of you and Renée doing anything together again as Zhané, or have you completely moved on?

Right now I am definitely concentrating on my solo album and will be for some time. But, I never close the door to other possibilities of future collaborations.

Last but not least, Jean, will you be doing any touring in the near future?

~~I will be performing at the Black Lily Film & Music Festival at the World Café Live in Philly on May 6. In addition, we are in the process of scheduling dates for spring and summer performances.~~ FYI, my itinerary is posted on www.jeanbaylor.com.

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview and for your candid answers. Welcome back, Jean!

I also want to thank Dave McGurgan from phillyBurbs.com for facilitating this interview and for letting me know that Jean Baylor (neé Norris) was back on the scene.