Nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer and producer Christian McBride makes his return as bandleader with his 21st studio album, Without Further Ado, Vol.1, his first big band album in five years.
Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, which will be released on Mack Avenue Records on August 29, is a star-studded affair featuring guest appearances by Sting, Andy Summers, Jeffrey Osborne, Samara Joy, José James, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dianne Reeves and Antoinette Henry.
Christian McBride spoke with WBGO's Doug Doyle bout his latest project that features reimagined arrangements of classic songs coupled with unique vocals.
McBride has known Sting, the former lead singer of The Police, for many years. Christian played in Sting's band in Sting's band since 2001 and have worked together on several albums. This new collaboration of "Murder By Numbers" is a delicious effort.
"I've had a musical relationship with Sting for 24 years now. He was so beautiful to suggest that we get guitarist Andy Summers for "Murder By Numbers". He said I wouldn't want to do that song without him as he co-wrote it. I'm just grateful that he did that because to reunited two-thirds of The Police is pretty special."
Most of the vocalists selected for Vol 1 have had a long working relationship with McBride and most have performed with him on the NJPAC stage.
"The impetus for this recording actually stems from the annual gala at NJPAC. So since 2012, I've been Jazz Advisor there and my Big Band has been the house band for the gala ever since. We've invited all kinds of great singers to come and sing at those galas. Between the gala and the James Moody Festival, we've had Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, Jeffrey Osborne, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Lizz Wright, Fantasia, Cynthia Erivo, Philip Bailey, every singer you could possibly think of. Every year I had to write these arrangements for these singers and they only get played once. After more than ten years, I'm looking at my library and I got this huge pile of big band music that's only been place once. I thought they should go to waste."
McBride wouldn't say what singers will be on Vol. 2, but he's glad to be back performing with his Big Band.
You can SEE Doug's entire conversation with Christian McBride below.
