John Baylies

John Baylies is an American tubist known for his experiments in electroacoustic improvisation. A native of North Andover, Massachusetts, John currently lives in New York City, where he leads his improvised dubstep band Sousastep, co-leads the free-jazz ensemble Sunnyside Electric, and performs in a wide variety of groups such as the Dingonek Street Band (Afrobeat, Ethio-jazz, Balkan), and NOTUS (NOLA, jazz-funk).

John graduated with a Bachelors in Tuba Performance from Boston University in 2014 and promptly began busking, which led to regular performances with the Hot Tamale Brass Band (NOLA, Second Line, Dixieland) and other ensembles.

At one parade in Boston, he met experimental jazz trumpeter Eric Dahlman, who introduced him to instrument repairman/innovator/inventer Erik Nugent. In 2016, Erik and John founded Nu Mouthpieces, which exhibited at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference and the International Trombone Festival, and produced ~70 wooden mouthpieces that facilitate didgeridoo techniques on low brass instruments.

Back in 2014, driven by a lack of good, live dubstep, John began studying electronic music, which was fostered by improvising with Dave Peck's Leap of Faith Orchestra and its sub-units. In 2017 he was a finalist in the Electrobrass Basement Sessions Competition, and decided to move to New York City for Brooklyn College's Sonic Arts program.

At Brooklyn College, John learned Max/MSP, developed an LED sousaphone bell, and produced the 2018 Electrobrass Conference. He worked at Eventide Audio from 2020 to 2022, and developed his electroacoustic tuba rig in performance with Dubtronics, Star Jelly Horns, NOTUS, and Brooklyn Delta Jazz Party.

Awards

Electrobrass Basement Sessions Competition Finalist 2017

Gear

• Conn 22K
• Yamaha YBB-621
• Yamaha SilentBrass
• nu mouthpiece, RT-50, MF-3H
• Eventide H9000R
• RME MADIface Pro
• RME Fireface 800
• 2021 M1 macbook
• PS4 Controller
• Ableton Live
• Max/MSP/jitter/gen~
• OctoWS2811

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