Biography
Thurl Bailey, the center for the NBA's Utah Jazz, stepped into the music scene on May 25, 1999, via the R&B album Faith in Your Heart. Although the musical approach followed R&B conventions, the lyrics centered on contemporary Christian themes, among them deliverance from a misguided course, gratitude toward his spouse, devotion to the Savior, and further spiritual reflections. He partnered with veteran LDS composers James Marsden and Sam Cardon to write the album's original material and also interpreted one classic each from the R&B and modern hymn repertoires. His richly resonant bass timbre helped generate immediate popularity for the project.
A Latter Day Saint since his 1996 conversion, Bailey received baptism on New Year's Eve of that year inside an Italian chapel while competing in that country's professional basketball league. Dan Sorenson's May 1999 HomeCourt magazine article noted the logistical difficulty of locating a baptismal font large enough for full immersion of Bailey's 6'11" frame, though one was eventually located. In the album's liner notes Bailey recalled his youthful ambition to pursue music; after realizing his basketball goals, the recording allowed him to achieve that parallel aspiration. He observed, "...So I feel truly blessed to be able to create this album. It's as though I have finally been able to make a long-awaited dream come true," and expressed appreciation for the chance to communicate through song. Soon after the release he returned to the NBA and the Utah Jazz following a three-year absence during which he played professionally in Europe. He is the father of two children and maintains the site www.thurlbailey.com.
A Latter Day Saint since his 1996 conversion, Bailey received baptism on New Year's Eve of that year inside an Italian chapel while competing in that country's professional basketball league. Dan Sorenson's May 1999 HomeCourt magazine article noted the logistical difficulty of locating a baptismal font large enough for full immersion of Bailey's 6'11" frame, though one was eventually located. In the album's liner notes Bailey recalled his youthful ambition to pursue music; after realizing his basketball goals, the recording allowed him to achieve that parallel aspiration. He observed, "...So I feel truly blessed to be able to create this album. It's as though I have finally been able to make a long-awaited dream come true," and expressed appreciation for the chance to communicate through song. Soon after the release he returned to the NBA and the Utah Jazz following a three-year absence during which he played professionally in Europe. He is the father of two children and maintains the site www.thurlbailey.com.
Albums