Jazz bassist Christian McBride comes to town in September

American Jazz bassist Christian McBride is making his debut in Macau on September 2 at the Macau Cultural Center (CCM). Over the past 20 years, McBride “has been like a dynamo of jazz music, adapting old tunes, renewing the scene with fresh compositions and collaborating with musicians from different genres,” CCM said in a statement.
Born in Philadelphia, McBride was influenced by his father and uncle, who were both well-known bassists in town, but his love for jazz blossomed while he was studying classical music.
“He hit the big scene with a loud bang aged 17, impressing everyone with this ‘huge, woody sound and precious agility’,” CCM recalls. McBride was regarded as a teen prodigy and joined saxophonist Bobby Watson’s group at 17. He went on to consolidate a series of collaborations, having released his first work as a leading musician in 1994.
Critics describe him as “a chameleonic virtuoso of the acoustic and electric bass,” with a flair for improvisation and creation, which has turned him into one of the most adaptable musicians.
“His versatility explains why, for over 20 years, the star bassist was one of the most sought after artists, having played and collaborated in more than 300 recordings,” the CCM release said.
McBride performed or recorded with several other jazz legends and ensembles, such as Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Diana Krall, Ray Brown, Lewis Nash and Chick Corea. He is also known for collaborations with pop, hip-hop and R&B musicians, like Queen Latifah, Sting, Paul McCartney, Celine Dion or Carly Simon, among many others.
McBride is a three-time Grammy award winner whose passion for jazz went beyond the stage. In 2005, he took up the post of co-director of the Jazz Museum in Harlem, New York, so that he could encourage younger generations to learn more about jazz. “Striving to make kids understand who were the great American jazz names, McBride helped [promote] free events at the museum, motivating musicians, athletes and speakers to bond with youngsters,” CCM recalled.
“To a degree, jazz is non-
existent in most major urban communities, which deeply saddens me,” he declared when taking up the position.
CCM promises that his debut in Macau will be a musical novelty, “at times transporting the audience across time to a glamorous era.” The concert will be held at CCM’s grand auditorium on September 2.