Christian McBride

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<p><a href="/biography/christian-mcbride">Christian Lee McBride</a> was born on May 31, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is an American <a href="/biography/christian-mcbride">jazz bassist</a> and record producer. His father, Lee Smith, and great-uncle, Howard Cooper, were both accomplished bassists who helped guide McBride during his formative years. He initially learned to play the electric bass before transitioning to the double bass. McBride later honed his craft at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City.</p>

<h2>Early Career and Teen Prodigy</h2>
<p>A recognized prodigy, McBride joined <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Watson_(American_musician)">saxophonist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Watson_(American_musician)">Bobby Watson</a>’s group at just 17 years old. Between the ages of 17 and 22, he performed with numerous jazz legends including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Hubbard">Freddie Hubbard</a>, J.J. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Johnson">Johnson</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Golson">Benny Golson</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milt_Jackson">Milt Jackson</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Jones">Hank Jones</a>. He also collaborated with fellow rising stars such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Hargrove">Roy Hargrove</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Green_(pianist)">Benny Green</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Redman">Joshua Redman</a>.</p>

<h2>Collaborations and Emergence as a Band Leader</h2>
<p>During this early period, McBride was a <a href="/biography/christian-mcbride">member</a> of the Joshua Redman Quartet, performing alongside <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Mehldau">pianist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Mehldau">Brad Mehldau</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Blade">drummer</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Blade">Brian Blade</a>. In 1995, McBride debuted as a band leader, forming a group that included <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Warfield">saxophonist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Warfield">Tim Warfield</a>, pianists <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Calderazzo">Joey Calderazzo</a> and Charles Craig, and drummers <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Allen_(drummer)">Carl Allen</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Hutchinson_(musician)">Greg Hutchinson</a>.</p>

<p>In 1996, McBride joined <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Brown_(musician)">jazz icon</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Brown_(musician)">Ray Brown</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Clayton_(bassist)">bassist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Clayton_(bassist)">John Clayton</a> in the ensemble "SuperBass," releasing two albums: <em>SuperBass: Live at Scullers</em> (1997) and <em>SuperBass 2: Live at the Blue Note</em> (2001).</p>

<h2>The Christian McBride Band and Major Jazz Ensembles</h2>
<p>From 2000 to 2008, McBride led the <a href="/biography/christian-mcbride">Christian McBride Band</a>, which featured <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keezer">pianist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Keezer">Geoffrey Keezer</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Blake">saxophonist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Blake">Ron Blake</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terreon_Gully">drummer</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terreon_Gully">Terreon Gully</a>. The group released two albums: <em>Vertical Vision</em> (2003) and <em>Live at Tonic</em> (2006). These projects helped solidify McBride’s reputation as an influential band leader in modern jazz.</p>

<h2>Creative Leadership and Grammy Recognition</h2>
<p>In 2006, McBride was appointed Creative Chair for Jazz with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He performed with jazz greats <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Haynes">Roy Haynes</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Rollins">Sonny Rollins</a> at Carnegie Hall in 2007. A year later, he joined the "Five Peace Band" alongside <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McLaughlin_(musician)">John McLaughlin</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_Corea">Chick Corea</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Garrett">Kenny Garrett</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnie_Colaiuta">Vinnie Colaiuta</a>. Their self-titled album, <em>Five Peace Band</em> (2009), won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.</p>

<p>McBride's debut big band album, <em>The Good Feeling</em> (2011), earned him another Grammy, winning Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 2012.</p>

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<h2>Current Groups and Musical Projects</h2>
<p>McBride currently leads five distinct ensembles:</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Inside Straight</strong>, with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Wilson">Steve Wilson</a> (alto/soprano saxophone), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Wolf_(musician)">Warren Wolf</a> (vibraphone), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Martin_(jazz_pianist)">Peter Martin</a> (piano), and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Allen_(drummer)">Carl Allen</a> (drums).</li>
  <li>A piano trio featuring Christian Sands (piano) and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Jennings">Jerome Jennings</a> (drums).</li>
  <li>His 18-piece <strong>big band</strong>.</li>
  <li>An experimental outfit, <strong>A Christian McBride Situation</strong>, featuring <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Rushen">Patrice Rushen</a> (keyboards), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Logic">DJ Logic</a> and Jahi Sundance (turntables), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Blake">Ron Blake</a> (saxophone), and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyson_Williams">Alyson Williams</a> (vocals).</li>
  <li>The group <strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_McBride's_New_Jawn">New Jawn</a></strong>, which includes <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Evans_(Trompeter)">Josh Evans</a> (trumpet), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Strickland">Marcus Strickland</a> (saxophone), and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasheet_Waits">Nasheet Waits</a> (drums).</li>
</ul>

<h2>Discography and Awards</h2>
<p>McBride has recorded a significant number of albums as a band leader. Notable works include:</p>
<ul>
  <li><em>Gettin' to It</em> (1994)</li>
  <li><em>Number Two Express</em> (1995)</li>
  <li><em>A Family Affair</em> (1998)</li>
  <li><em>SciFi</em> (2000)</li>
  <li><em>The Philadelphia Experiment</em> (2000)</li>
  <li><em>Vertical Vision</em> (2003)</li>
  <li><em>Live at Tonic</em> (2006)</li>
  <li><em>Kind of Brown</em> (2009)</li>
  <li><em>The Good Feeling</em> (2011 - Grammy Award winner 2012)</li>
  <li><em>Conversations with Christian</em> (2011)</li>
  <li><em>People Music</em> (2013)</li>
  <li><em>Out Here</em> (2013)</li>
  <li><em>Live at the Village Vanguard</em> (2015 - Grammy Award winner 2016, Best Improvised Jazz Solo)</li>
  <li><em>Bringin' It</em> (2017 - Grammy Award winner 2018, Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album)</li>
</ul>

<h2>Personal Life and Community Engagement</h2>
<p>Christian McBride is married to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Walker">jazz vocalist</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Walker">Melissa Walker</a>, who leads Jazz House Kids—an acclaimed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Walker">jazz education nonprofit</a> based in Montclair, New Jersey, where they reside.</p>

<h2>Social Media Presence</h2>
<p>McBride maintains an active presence on social media. His Facebook page has approximately 120,000 followers, his Twitter account has around 48,000 followers, and his YouTube channel has more than 4,000 subscribers, reflecting his ongoing engagement with fans and the jazz community.</p>

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