Podcast 430: A Conversation with Christian McBride

What can I say about Christian McBride, a man who is at the top of his craft? In addition to his virtuosity as a bass player, McBride is an educator, curator, XM radio host and composer-arranger.  I also should add, he has the best Twitter feed in the business – sign up for @mcbridesworld  ASAP. The Philadelphia-born musician has performed alongside a diverse set of luminaries including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Natalie Cole, Pat Metheny, James Brown, Sting, Brad Mehldau and Queen Latifah, among others.  He now leads a working 18 piece Big Band, a Trio, a Quintet called Inside Straight, the experimental Christian McBride Situation, and the Philadelphia Experiment. The last will make a rare appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival this summer. He has also been the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's artistic advisor for their Jazz Series for the last year, and has presented some truly exciting events. This past spring it was “Jazz Meets Sports”, with McBride and his trio, featuring pianist Christian Sands and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr., performing with baseball legend and Latin Grammy nominated guitarist Bernie Williams. Then McBride moderated a conversation featuring Williams and NBA icon and ultimate jazz connoisseur, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Podcast 430 will give you a chance to hear about the 2014-15 NJPAC season, along with the many projects Christian is in the midst of, with his many bands. Don’t miss him talk about his “secret gigs” in New York City (hint – who better to play the bass lines created by James Jamerson?). The musical selections show the many sides of his creativity, including: Christian McBride Big Band – “Science Fiction” from The Good Feeling. Christian McBride featuring Regina Carter – “Fat Bach and Greens” from Conversations with Christian. Christian McBride – “Night Train” from Getting’ To It. The Philadelphia Experiment – “Philadelphia Freedom” from The Philadelphia Experiment. Christian McBride & Inside Straight – “Dream Train” from People Music.