Christian McBride

Acclaimed jazz bassist and composer Christian McBride has become an essential and groundbreaking voice in the genre as both a bandleader and contributor due to his double-bass ingenuity. Born in Philadelphia in 1972, the musician was practically destined for greatness by the time he was a teenager, celebrated for his work in Bobby Watson’s group—which he played in while attending the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, and, eventually, the prestigious Juilliard School. He parlayed his success with Watson into gigs with Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, and more, before joining Joshua Redman's celebrated Quartet in the ‘90s alongside Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade. McBride’s work with the jazz community has been as impactful as his skills as a player and performer. In 2006, he was named to the position of Creative Chair for Jazz with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A decade later, in 2016, he was named artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival, the only person to hold the title other than the festival’s founder.