Christian McBride (Diana Kral, Sonny Rollins)

Courtesy of Christian McBride Com

He is one of the most soulful cats on the upright, and he swings like a mofo on electric! 

 

As a bandleader, collaborator, and sideman, Christian McBride is among the most in-demand players on the planet.  McBride’s expansive session and stage credits testimony to his multi-genre virtuosity; George Duke, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Sir Paul, Joe Henderson, Bruce Hornsby, James Brown, Joshua Redman, Sonny Rollins, Queen Latifah, Roy Haynes, Joe Lovano, Sting, Pat Methany, David Sanborn, and Diana Kral – just to cite a select few. 

 

An educator, radio host, and multiple Grammy Award winner, to my ears, Christian’s most signature work as a leader (so far)  is his sprawling Live At Tonic (2005) triple disc set wherein McBride and his partners, including DJ Logic, traverse funk to post-bop to hip-hop to rhythm and blues, to classic fusion.  

 

Christian McBride Sound & Vision 

 

JAZZ HOUSE KIDS Spring Gala Celebrates “The 60th Anniversary of the Most Influential Year in Jazz” with Christian McBride – Tom Semioli co-producer / writer https://youtu.be/iZAAVN1A9MM

 

Dig Christian’s rendition of the National Anthem on a Fender Jazz at Madison Square Garden before a New York Knicks game: https://youtu.be/Iu71RNL5ZZ4

 

“Fried Pies” https://youtu.be/Dhsi_p-KSG4

A Christian McBride Situation live https://youtu.be/wsCI8Kbp8G0

 

Ron McClure (Blood Sweat & Tears, Charles Lloyd)

 

Ron McClure’s extraordinary career as a bassist, composer, bandleader, collaborator, and educator spans Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Charles Lloyd’s “classic quartet with Jack DeJohnette and Keith Jarrett, Joe Henderson and Quest with David Liebman, to cite a very select few.

 

My former teacher, rock fans will recall Ron as the anchor for Blood Sweat & Tears from 1974-76, taking over the bass chair from Jim Fielder. Ron was nominated for a Grammy (“graminated for a Nommy” in his own words – see video below) for his composition “No Show” which appeared on the last listenable BST slab New City (1976).

 

Ron teaches at New York University nowadays.

 

Watch Ron on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One, 2016 New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/2YJyIDr

 

Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

 

He anchored the first and most influential of many incarnations of John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra.

 

However before Rick Laird assumed rock star status on electric bass with the classic lineup of McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, and Jerry Goodman – he was an upright player who served as the house bassist at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London in the early 1960s. Rick backed many of most revered artists of the era, including Sonny Stitt, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, and Wes Montgomery to cite a few. Rick’s credits as a sideman also include Eric Koss, Yusef Lateef, and Richie Cole.

 

A student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Dublin-born Laird’s fluid lines, warm tone, and tuneful solo break on “One Word” from the classic Birds of Fire (1973) album exemplified fusion at its finest – melding rock and jazz into a coherent, mind expanding listening experience – as opposed to a serving as a showy platform to display instrumental dexterity.

 

Among Rick’s voltage enhanced weapons of choice were the Fender Jazz, S.D. Curlee, and Dan Armstrong. Aside from his accomplishments as a musician, Rick forged a successful career as a photographer.

 

Rick Laird Sound & Vision….

 

“One Word” https://youtu.be/GWT6xt6QMpQ

 

“Now You Know” https://youtu.be/FQHNabnyyuM

 

Rick on BBC TV with the Victor Feldman Trio https://youtu.be/LLwvdv5oWVw