Jazz Articles about Christian McBride

Pat Martino: Think Tank

by Clifford Allen
October 5, 2003

It is difficult to make mainstream jazz (hard bop, etc.) relevant in light of the subversion or destruction of its form that occurred over thirty years ago. But, as many improvisers proved, it was possible to make consistently engaging and advanced music in the hard bop idiom well after the innovations of Ornette and Cecil took hold, and though the case for it is a little tougher today, there are a number of musicians who have found something new to ...

Uri Caine / Christian McBride / Ahmir Thompson: The Philadelphia Experiment

by Richard Anderson
February 1, 2002

List the capital cities of jazz and one finds the usual suspects--New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago--but one city is too often forgotten: Philadelphia. Yes, the City of Brotherly Love, so often the butt of jokes and unkind (if not always inaccurate) characterizations. Say what you want about the city of Benjamin Franklin and Mayor Frank Rizzo, but anyone who knows, knows you can't say Philly doesn't smoke.Bassist Christian McBride, pianist Uri Caine and drummer Ahmir “Questlove" ...

Uri Caine / Christian McBride / Ahmir Thompson: The Philadelphia Experiment

by Todd S. Jenkins
July 1, 2001

Just what is it that makes Philadelphia such a darned soulful city? Is it all that brotherly love floating around, or the deep funk fermented by undying Phillies fandom? All the cholesterol in those cheesesteaks, maybe? Whatever the case, the city has a profound and enduring musical legacy, from Sun Ra to T.S.O.P., Grover Washington Jr. to Khan Jamal. Here, three tight homeboys have distilled the essence of the Philly legacy down into one insanely funky disc that commands repeat ...

Christian McBride: Sci-Fi

by C. Andrew Hovan
November 1, 2000

Undeniably a great technician and one of the best jazz bassists of his generation, Christian McBride is so much in demand that he might safely be considered a Paul Chambers for the new millennium. But like many talented men who find themselves viable artists in the role of sidemen, McBride has been inconsistent in his efforts as the person in charge. Sci-Fi, his fourth set for Verve as a leader, is still meandering in spots but has a creative edge ...

Christian McBride: Sci-Fi

by C. Andrew Hovan
November 1, 2000

Undeniably a great technician and one of the best jazz bassists of his generation, Christian McBride is so much in demand that he might safely be considered a Paul Chambers for the new millennium. But like many talented men who find themselves viable artists in the role of sidemen, McBride has been inconsistent in his efforts as the person in charge. Sci-Fi, his fourth set for Verve as a leader, is still meandering in spots but has a creative edge ...

Christian McBride: A Family Affair

by Jim Santella
November 1, 1998

At 26, bassist Christian McBride qualifies for the “young lion" tag. His visibility has been enhanced by appearances on Robert Altman's film Kansas City, Clint Eastwood's Eastwood After Hours, Diana Krall's Love Scenes, the compilation Upstairs at Melrose Place, John Pizzarelli's Dear Mr. Cole, and Joshua Redman's MoodSwing. Moreover, his experience with Randy Weston, Freddie Hubbard, T.S. Monk, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, and organist Jimmy Smith has demonstrated McBride's mainstream roots to the jazz-listening public.

The bassist wrote half the ...

Various Artists: A Twist of Jobim

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

This appropriately “smooth jazz" tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is perhaps one of the best that's come out over the last few years. Like many of Jobim's records, it goes down like a smooth, relaxing drink. Producer, arranger and nominal leader guitarist Lee Ritenour has collected some fine talent, particularly frequent collaborator Dave Grusin, and crafted some very nice moments throughout. Highlights include “Water to Drink" (featuring Ritenour and Grusin), “Captain Bacardi" (an old Ritenour / Grusin staple with Eric ...