At just 40, bassist Christian McBride already has more notches than can fit on any belt. Among the more than 300 albums he’s appeared on are sessions by many of the most illustrious figures in jazz, including Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson and Pat Metheny, while also collaborating with artists as diverse as Kathleen Battle, Sting and Questlove of The Roots.
McBride has been the linchpin of various all-star projects, such as the Five Peace Band with John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett and Vinnie Colaiuta (and Brian Blade). And he’s led his own groups in the studio and on tour since the mid-90s. Somehow he has also found time to oversee jazz programming at Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, along with many other projects.
But until last year’s The Good Feeling, McBride had never recorded an album with his own big band. As the title implies, it’s a swaggering, hard-swinging session featuring a cast of New York’s best sidemen, winning the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album. To hear a well-rehearsed, top-shelf big band these days is a rarity — much less with with a major jazz star at its helm. Prepare to be blown away!
