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Christian McBride Big Band: Bringin' It

By Dan Bilawsky
September 8, 2017
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Where and how does Christian McBride find the time to do what he does? His plate is full about nine times over, what with his work as bassist, composer, bandleader, educator, jazz advocate, public speaker, radio personality, DJ, and Artistic Director for the Newport Jazz Festival. It's no wonder that it took him six years to get this juggernaut of a big band back together in the studio.

This album serves as the long-awaited follow-up to The Good Feeling (Mack Avenue, 2011), the group's Grammy-winning debut. And like its lauded predecessor, Bringin' It presents a tight and tasty program of music designed by McBride and bolstered by his bass. Everything you've come to expect from this musical dynamo—taste, punch, humor, intelligence, solid gold grooves, an appreciation for lyricism—is here for the taking. Styles and settings vary greatly from track to track and moment to moment, but this ensemble is remarkably consistent through it all.

McBride looks to the funky side of life on "Gettin' To It," an album opener that finds trumpeter

Freddie Hendrix

trumpet
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hendrix and guitarist

Rodney Jones

guitar
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Rodney Jones stealing the show, and he delivers a solidly swinging take on

Freddie Hubbard

trumpet
1938 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hubbard's "Thermo" that recalls his time spent working with that trumpet icon. Then he brings his wit into full view with "Youthful Bliss." Unexpected detours that seemingly come out of left field—a quick drop into Brazil, a classically-oriented flute finger-bender—make for a wild ride. They enliven the atmosphere and keep everybody on their toes.

The leader takes a compositional cue or two from the great

Maria Schneider

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Maria Schneider with his harmonically moored vision of "I Thought About You," a feature for trumpeter

Brandon Lee

trumpet
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Brandon Lee, and he eschews the desert in favor of the jungle on

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner's "Sahara," giving drummer

Quincy Phillips

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Quincy Phillips the greenlight to take charge. As on The Good Feeling, vocalist

Melissa Walker

vocals
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Melissa Walker drops in for a pair of tunes—"Upside Down" and "Mr. Bojangles," bookending a nod to

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery in the form of "Full House"—and she doesn't disappoint.

The final stretch of the album proves no less memorable than what precedes it. The soul quotient is exceeded with "Used 'Ta Could," an earthy number showcasing saxophonist

Steve Wilson

saxophone
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Wilson and trombonist

Michael Dease

trombone
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Dease; Sinatra's late night clarity comes through in McBride's vision of "In The Wee Small Hours," a number resting on his lyrical arco lines and featuring

Dan Pratt

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Pratt's tenor; and the band swings its way home through trombonist

Steve Davis

trombone
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Davis' arrangement of "Optimism."

This album is proof positive that big band jazz can be entertaining without actually pandering or diluting itself. Whether putting a new coat of paint on material from his past, nodding to his influences and mentors, or looking to the classics for inspiration, Christian McBride proves artfully inventive while drawing us in with his magnetic personality. Bringin' It is a meritorious musical feast just waiting to be consumed. No real surprise there. Everything this man touches turns to gold.

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Track Listing

Getin' To It; Thermo; Youthful Bliss; I Thought About You; Sahara; Upside Down; Full House; Mr. Bojangles; Used ' Ta; Could; In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning.

Personnel

Christian McBride

bass

Christian McBride: bass; Steve Wilson: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Todd Bashore: alto saxophone, flute, piccolo; Ron Blake: tenor saxophone, flute; Dan Pratt: tenor saxophone, flute; Carl Maraghi: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Frank Greene: trumpet; Freddie Hendrix: trumpet; Brandon Lee: trumpet; Nabate Isles: trumpet; Steve Davis: trombone (11); Michael Dease: trombone; Joe McDonough: trombone (1-10); James Burton: trombone; Douglas Purviance: bass trombone; Xavier Davis: piano; Quincy Phillips: drums; Rodney Jones: guitar; Melissa Walker: vocals (6, 8); Brandee Younger: harp (10).

Album information

Title: Bringin' It | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

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Christian McBride Big Band Concerts

Nov 21 Fri

Christian McBride Big Band with special guests

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Newark, NJ

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