Christian McBride Pt. 2: Chick Corea, James Brown, GRAMMYs, Drummer Legends, Leadership #93
Chick Corea, James Brown, GRAMMYs, Drummer Legends, and Leadership
The latest episode of Go With Elmo brings listeners part two of a groovy, insightful, and laughter-filled conversation with nine-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride. Hosted by Elmo Lovano, this installment dives deep into Christian McBride’s extraordinary career—unpacking pivotal collaborations, life lessons from jazz giants and funk legends, leadership as a bandleader and festival curator, and the never-ending quest to learn and grow as an artist.
Whether you’re a jazz devotee, aspiring musician, or someone who loves a great story, this episode is packed with advice, anecdotes, and the real talk you only get when musicians sit down for a frank conversation.
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About Christian McBride
Christian McBride is one of the world’s most celebrated jazz bassists and composers. Since bursting onto the scene in the early 1990s, he’s become known for his masterful technique, deep groove, and ability to straddle genres—from hard bop to funk, big band to modern fusion. Christian McBride has worked with the likes of James Brown, Chick Corea, Sting, Pat Metheny, Freddie Hubbard, and Wynton Marsalis, and currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. His career is a testament to both relentless hard work and an abiding passion for the music’s past, present, and future.
Highlights From the Episode
Stepping Out as a Bandleader
The conversation opens with Christian McBride reflecting on the transition from sideman to leader in 1994, when he released his debut album Gettin’ to It. He reveals his initial hesitation—caught between wanting more experience with elder jazzmen and the enormous pressure of “living up” to expectations during the Young Lions era. Christian McBride describes how the jazz industry in the 1990s shifted focus toward young talent, sometimes at the expense of established artists, creating both opportunities and blowback.
Gettin’ To It—And James Brown’s Seal of Approval
One of the episode’s most entertaining threads is Christian McBride’s infectious fandom for James Brown. He tells how his album’s title track was inspired by Brown’s “Get It Together”—and how he nervously sent the CD to Brown himself, anxiously awaiting judgment. After some playful back-and-forth (including an accusation of “stealing” the tune) Brown gave Christian McBride his blessing—an exchange that stands out as one of Christian McBride’s career highlights.
Later, in a full-circle moment, Christian McBride details producing and performing “Soul on Top” with James Brown at the Hollywood Bowl—an event that remains the “greatest night” of his career. The support of Darlene Chan and the responsibility of curating major jazz events shine throughout these memories, underscoring the power of mentorship and risk-taking.
Collaborations with Legends: Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, and More
The episode is a veritable masterclass in jazz history, with Christian McBride describing sessions and stories with a who’s-who of jazz’s modern history:
- Chick Corea: Christian McBride shares how his first time in the studio with Corea, Jack DeJohnette, and Kenny Garrett for Number Two Express felt like an out-of-body experience. He candidly talks about his self-doubt when writing music for such icons, the lessons learned about leadership, and how “jazz legends were first working musicians” who never forgot their humble beginnings.
- Jack DeJohnette: The episode acknowledges DeJohnette’s recent passing and offers a heartfelt tribute. Christian McBride outlines what he learned from DeJohnette’s openness and willingness to play across genres—and how he was never “tribal” about music or collaborators.
- SuperBass (with Ray Brown and John Clayton): Christian McBride relates the magic of playing in this bass trio, channeling his fandom for Ron Carter and Ray Brown, and the profundity of connecting with his musical heroes.
The Voodoo Sessions: D’Angelo and the Philly Connection
A fascinating segment explores Christian McBride’s participation in D’Angelo’s Voodoo sessions, linking the Philadelphia music scene, his relationship with Questlove, and stories from classic jam sessions at Electric Lady Studios. Christian McBride candidly describes the atmosphere of experimentation and camaraderie—and pays tribute to recently departed friends and collaborators.
From GRAMMYs to Jam Bands: Resilience and Reinvention
The episode thoughtfully reflects on how technological upheaval—Napster, the end of CDs, and now AI—upended the business of making music, demanding that each generation “figure it out again” to survive.
Christian McBride describes how he created the Christian McBride Band and the album Vertical Vision as an effort to embrace the jam band energy of the era, collaborating with genre-benders and even unreleased sessions with Sting. He shares how the critical and audience reception took time to catch up with these creative risks and how moments like Live at Tonic provided redemption—and cult status—after setbacks.
Artistic Direction and Legacy
Beyond performance, Christian McBride’s journey as a curator and artistic director is laid out—from his first role at the University of Richmond to directing the Newport Jazz Festival. He credits mentors like Dr. Billy Taylor and George Wein and offers a clear-eyed look at the realities and responsibilities of artist-driven programming (including the perils of being hired for “your address book”).
Drummers and Leadership
As a bassist, Christian McBride naturally gravitates toward drummers, and listeners are treated to stories of locking in with icons like Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, Brian Blade, and Jack DeJohnette. He explains how these rhythmic partnerships shaped his musical identity and confidence.
Wisdom for the Next Generation
Wrapping up, Christian McBride dishes advice for young musicians: don’t rely on DMs—meet artists in person, express appreciation, and let people know you exist. Building ensembles, he argues, is best done when led by a clear musical vision and plenty of trial and error—not just coolness for its own sake.
Final Reflections
This episode is a showcase of what makes Christian McBride one of our generation’s essential musicians—not just for his artistry, but for his humility, humor, and sense of history. Whether’s he’s manifesting gigs with his heroes, curating iconic festivals, or laying it down with living legends, McBride is proof that jazz is as much about generosity, curiosity, and learning as it is about chops.
From deep dives into his “greatest night” with James Brown, unforgettable session stories with Chick Corea and Jack DeJohnette, and practical, hard-won advice, this episode is must-listen fuel for anyone who loves the magic at the intersection of tradition, improvisation, and personal vision.
Tune in to the full episode for more stories, laughter, and a look at what fuels one of jazz’s true leaders—on and off the stage.
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