Der in Philadelphia aufgewachsene Jazzbassist Christian McBride verbindet das Feuer eines absoluten Virtuosen mit der Ruhe eines erfahrenen Künstlers. Er ist heute eine der angesehensten Figuren der Musikwelt. 1989 ging er nach New York, um sich dort an der Juilliard School klassisch ausbilden zu lassen. Dort engagierte ihn der Saxofonist Bobby Watson. Nach unzähligen Studioaufnahmen und Konzerten gründete er im Jahr 2000 die Christian McBride Band, mit der er die Grenzen elektroakustischer Möglichkeiten auslotete. 2009 fokussierte er sich wieder auf die Tradition und spielte mit der Christian McBride Big Band das Grammy-ausgezeichnete Album „The Good Feeling“ ein. In die dritte Dekade seiner Karriere startete er im Trio, dem Herzstück der Big Band. Der vierfach Grammy-Ausgezeichnete spielte mit Künstlern wie Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, J. J. Johnson, Ray Brown, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway, James Brown und vielen mehr ! Ein absolutes Muss für Jazzfreunde, ein wunderbarer Big Band Abend mit dem fabelhaften Conferencier Danny Ray. (www.backnangerbuergerhaus.de)

Iconic bassist Christian McBride has been doing what the title of his upcoming big band album implores for years: Bringin’ It. This highly anticipated release, which follows the Christian McBride Big Band’s 2011 Grammy® Award-winning debut, The Good Feeling, puts his status and skills as an all-around entertainer on full display. With a list of growing accolades including his recent appointment as Artistic Director at the Newport Jazz Festival, hosting shows on SiriusXM (“The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian”) and NPR (“Jazz Night in America,” as well as frequent online contributions to various programs including “All Things Considered”), speaking engagements, and occasional DJ performances under the alias DJ Brother Mister, he’s more than just a bandleader: Christian McBride is transcending that title to something more complete.

If it is true that jazz is a sponge for musicians to absorb and then squeeze out what they hear to produce their own sound, McBride has been “bringin’ it” for quite a long time. From his amazing quintet, Inside Straight, to his avant-garde leaning quartet, New Jawn, the contemporary sound of his fusion group, A Christian McBride Situation, to the critically acclaimed music he’s made with his trio, the bassist has always disseminated his own unique 360-degree view of jazz.

While the music played by the Christian McBride Big Band is on the cutting edge of 21st century large ensemble music, the orchestra’s presentation, like its sound, respects the past while looking forward. Danny Ray, the legendary stage announcer for James Brown, travels with the group to give the leader an old-school intro before playing his thoroughly modern music. “I love having the show aspect of it as well, with Danny Ray there, and being able to create somewhat of a show while also having Melissa there as our vocalist.” (Pressetext)