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Christian McBride & Inside Straight: Kind of Brown

By Ken Dryden
August 3, 2009
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Christian McBride & Inside Straight: Kind of Brown

Since arriving in New York City in the late 1980s, where he briefly studied at Juilliard, Christian McBride has been one of jazz's most in-demand bassists. In addition, he has become a valuable composer, arranger and jazz educator with a wide-open interest in many musical styles.

The initial CD by McBride's Inside Straight quartet features saxophonist

Steve Wilson

saxophone
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Wilson, pianist

Eric Reed

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Reed and drummer

Carl Allen

drums
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Allen (with whom McBride worked in Benny Green's trio), expanding to a quintet on some tracks with up-and-coming vibraphonist

Warren Wolf

vibraphone
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Warren Wolf, Jr. Seven of the ten tracks are originals by the leader, several of which are tributes. "Uncle James" is a soulful, soft jazz waltz saluting the late

James Williams

piano
1951 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">James Williams, a beloved jazz pianist and educator who died in 2004 after a brief battle with cancer. Wilson's upbeat soprano sax floats over the whispering rhythm section, with Wolf adding a potent, understated solo.

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton is honored by "The Shade of the Cedar Tree," a delicious hard bop number that would have fit the repertoire of

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, with a potent lead by Wilson on alto sax, Reed and McBride. The leader pays tribute to

Freddie Hubbard

trumpet
1938 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddie Hubbard, with whom he worked, on a percolating treatment of the late trumpeter's blues, "Theme For Kareem," offering some of his most intricate playing of the session.

Although not stated, McBride's "Used 'Ta Could" could easily be considered a tribute to his idol, the late

Ray Brown

bass, acoustic
1926 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Brown, a subdued but funky number with a touch of gospel, with his arco playing reminiscent of the late

Paul Chambers

bass, acoustic
1935 - 1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Chambers. With a CD full of obviously winning tracks, bet the entire pot on Inside Straight.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Brother Mister; Theme For Kareem; Rainbow Wheel; Starbeam: Used 'Ta Could; The Shade of the Cedar Tree; Pursuit of Peace; Uncle James; Stick & Move; Where Are You?

Personnel

Christian McBride

bass

Christian McBride: bass; Carl Allen: drums; Eric Scott Reed: piano; Steve Wilson: sax; Warren Wolf, Jr.: vibes.

Album information

Title: Kind Of Brown | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

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Christian McBride Concerts

Oct 2 Thu

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The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park, MD

Oct 4 Sat

Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau @ The Flynn

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Oct 5 Sun

Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau

Sanders Theatre
Cambridge, MA

Oct 7 Tue

Christian Mcbride & Brad Mehldau

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Oct 7 Tue

Christian Mcbride & Brad Mehldau

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Oct 8 Wed

Christian Mcbride & Brad Mehldau

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Oct 8 Wed

Christian Mcbride & Brad Mehldau

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN

Oct 15 Wed

Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau @ The Wallis

Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts
Beverly Hills, CA

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