Christian McBride and Inside Straight November 13, 2010

source: http://livelyarts.stanford.edu

In this latest Lively Arts performance—following on last season’s sold-out tribute to Herbie Hancock—DownBeat 2009 Readers Poll–winning bassist Christian McBride returns at the helm of his acclaimed acoustic ensemble, Inside Straight. In this evening, McBride is joined in this night of “hard swing-to-bluesy groove tunes” by some of the most in-demand players on the scene today: saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, vibist Warren Wolf, Jr. (featured on the group's 2009 debut disc, Kind of Brown), pianist Christian Sands, and drummer Ulysses Owens.

As The New York Times wrote in a glowing review of the group’s 2007 performance debut at New York’s legendary Village Vanguard: “When the bassist Christian McBride feels good about a groove, he savors it, exults in it. Flashing a million-watt smile, he tosses off frolicsome micro-elaborations….Watching his sidemen respond to him, you’re almost tempted to pose a question: Why doesn’t every jazz combo seem to be having such a good time?”

Official Website: http://livelyarts.stanford.edu/event.php?code=MCBR