Christian McBride Pt. 1: Philly, Questlove, Wynton Marsalis, Miles Davis, Joey DeFrancesco #91
Episode Overview
Episode 91 of Go With Elmo is a must-listen for music lovers, especially those fascinated by the bustling intersections of jazz, soul, and hip hop. This episode features the legendary bassist and nine-time Grammy winner, Christian McBride, in the first part of an in-depth, inspiring exploration of his early life, rise in the Philadelphia music scene, and his extraordinary musical journey alongside peers like Questlove, Joey DeFrancesco, Wynton Marsalis, and even a close encounter with Miles Davis himself.
With Elmo Lovano steering the conversation, we get not just McBride’s firsthand stories about coming of age among an elite group of young musicians, but real insights into the community, the spirit, and the realities behind the heady days of late ’80s and early ’90s Philadelphia.
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About the Guest: Christian McBride
Christian McBride is often cited as one of the most gifted and influential bassists of his generation. Born in 1972 in Philadelphia, he grew up in a musically rich family with deep connections to Philly Soul and jazz. Over his storied career, McBride has carved out his place as a revered performer, bandleader, composer, and educator. His reach crosses genres, and throughout this episode, listeners discover just how deep his roots run—not only through his own hard work, but through the friendships and community spirit of his Philadelphia upbringing.
The Incredible Philadelphia High School Scene
One of the most jaw-dropping revelations in this episode is the sheer concentration of talent that surrounded McBride during his time at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). His graduating class wasn’t just a footnote in music history—it was a generational powerhouse:
- Questlove and Black Thought (The Roots)
- Joey DeFrancesco – prodigious organist and pianist
- Kurt Rosenwinkel – acclaimed jazz guitarist
- Half of Boyz II Men
McBride recounts how at that time, it was just a bunch of talented kids “jamming in the basement.” Joey DeFrancesco was already a prodigy, landing gigs with jazz legends (including Miles Davis) while still in high school. “All smart money would have gone on Joey,” McBride reflects, describing how the betting favorite for superstardom always seemed to be Joey, who took to performing with Miles Davis at just 17.
But what truly made CAPA special was the environment—one filled with dancers stretching in the halls, singers practicing in the bathrooms, violinists rehearsing in every corner. “You never, ever had a moment to be lazy,” McBride says, emphasizing how creativity and discipline were ingrained in every student.
The Allure and Challenges of the Philly Jazz Community
Beyond CAPA, Philadelphia’s jazz scene was bursting with energy. Even as Philadelphia International Records and the Gamble & Huff era were winding down, the city’s next artistic surge was already underway, fueled by the rise of hip hop and a thriving jazz underground. Here, both established legends and daring new talents (like McBride’s great uncle, a working musician, and mentors like Lovett Hines) inspired the next generation.
The episode also touches on how the music scene served as a melting pot—culturally, racially, and artistically. McBride speaks warmly about the diverse, welcoming community at CAPA, where “blacks, whites, Latinos, Asians, gays, straight—everyone was supporting each other.” He credits this openness with shaping not just his musicianship, but his worldview.
The Fateful Encounter with Miles Davis
One of the episode’s most memorable stories is the infamous TV appearance where a young Christian McBride found himself, Joey DeFrancesco, and other schoolmates performing for the legendary (and notoriously blunt) Miles Davis. The plan—having high school trumpet players perform for Miles on live morning television—went as awkwardly as one might expect. “That was a very, very dumb idea,” McBride laughs. Miles’s frankness was on full display, as he gently (and not so gently) critiqued the students.
But the real plot twist: This performance led to Joey DeFrancesco joining Miles Davis’s touring band at just 17—a fact that left his classmates awestruck and a little envious when Joey returned to school in shimmering stage outfits straight off the Davis tour.
From Philly to New York: The Wynton Marsalis Connection
For McBride, the next seismic leap came by way of Wynton Marsalis. After meeting Marsalis at a masterclass in high school, McBride’s talent and enthusiasm caught the trumpeter’s attention. Marsalis became a vital mentor, even convincing McBride’s mother to let her young son move to New York—a city rife with opportunity, but also risk.
Through Marsalis, McBride was introduced to the “Young Lions 2.0” generation of jazz, becoming part of a movement alongside Roy Hargrove, Brad Mehldau, and a who’s who of future jazz greats. McBride’s anecdotes from these years—like being unexpectedly called onstage by Marsalis at a major concert—are filled with both humility and wonder.
Lessons from Legends—and The Importance of Positivity
As a young player in New York, McBride was quickly thrown into the fire alongside giants like Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and McCoy Tyner. What did he learn most from these masters? “Every time you left the stage, you were sweating,” McBride recalls. They played hard, left it all out there, and rarely indulged in self-doubt after performances—a contrast to the self-critical tendencies McBride sometimes sees in today’s younger musicians.
He encourages artists to embrace gratitude and maintain a positive mentality rather than bow to relentless self-critique or negativity, whether in live performance or facing online criticism.
Uplifting One Another in Music, Now and Then
At every turn, the conversation returns to the power of community—supporting one another’s artistry, celebrating the act of creation, and mentoring the next generation. McBride quotes Chick Corea’s wisdom: “I can’t be mad at anybody who’s creating … the act of creating some type of music, whatever it is, puts us all together in some sort of brotherhood.”
What’s Next?
This is just the first half of Christian McBride’s journey. As Elmo teases, the stories only get “even better” in Part 2. For listeners, Episode 91 is a brilliant snapshot of a formative era in American music—from basement jams to global stages—and a testament to the lifelong bonds and lessons forged in the fires of youthful creativity.
Don’t miss Part 2 (and the archive of over 90 other episodes) for more legends, stories, and inspirations from the heart of the music world!
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