Cover
Bass Musician Magazine: Dec/Jan 2009-2010 Issue Featuring Christian McBride
Christian McBride Interview by Jake Kot –
When I first did an interview with Christian a couple of years ago, he was about to go on a world tour with Pat Metheny. Not long after that, he went on tour again with, as Christian states, one of the best bands he has ever worked with, The 5 Piece Band featuring Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Kenny Garret, and Vinnie Colaiuta.
Following that, he created his latest to entity called “Inside Straight” featuring Eric Reed, Warren Wolf, Steve Wilson, and Carl Allen, and went on tour with them as well as completing the band’s first CD, Kind of Brown. This prestigious player definitely gets around, not only globally, but musically and artistically in every sense of the word.
His penchant diversity is more than obvious, and his dedication to absolutely any style of music he undertakes is unquestioned. This is truly a 21st century player that has all the capabilities of staying a cutting edge player, and balances that with a deep respect for the jazz traditions laid down by our musical forefathers in that idiom. His compositional prowess is an equal match to his diversity as a player as he has written for everything from the traditional trio format to a big band ensemble, and has received nothing but praise from the jazz community for his efforts.
His reflections on what a younger player should be considering are noteworthy in this interview. It takes someone like Christian to be able to have that kind of perspective; a player that has a history of being able to musically interact with so many icons in so many genres so successfully over the years. And once again I’m reminded that the true greats in our musical community embrace the words humble/egoless almost as an ideology, as well as keeping the perspective of remaining a student of the arts an absolute “ongoing” life quest. These are the qualities of a “consummate” musician, and that’s where he lives.
Jake: How did you come up with the lineup of musicians for the Inside Straight band?
Christian: A couple of years ago I was hanging out at the Village Vanguard and it occurred to me that I hadn’t played there in ten years as a band leader, and that’s a big no-no. If you consider yourself a self-respecting jazz musician, the Village Vanguard is one of those havens where you must perform to ‘check in with the angels’ so to speak. I went to the owner, Loraine Gordon, and said, “it’s been so long since I played here, can I come back?” And she said, absolutely, you can come back, but I know those guys in your current band and we don’t book rock and roll in here. (Laughs) I knew what that meant, that’s hallow-ground for straight-ahead jazz—no fusion in the Vanguard.
Jake: Was that the CMB band that she was referring to?
Christian: That’s right. So I put together some Vanguard regulars. There’s a younger guy, I’ve been in love with his playing for a while, his name is Warren Wolf, a vibes player, and also Steve Wilson, Carl Allen, and Eric Reed. These guys are always playing the Vanguard—they’re like New York staples. So I put that band together thinking we would just play one week at the Vanguard, and then go our own separate ways, back to what we were all doing. But the week was sensational. We did amazing business, and all the guys in the band had fun. A few record industry people came down and they said whatever happens you have to keep this band together. All the guys in the band seemed to agree, and a year later we recorded Kind of Brown, and the year after that it was released, which is this year, and we pretty much have been on the road ever since.
Jake: I know you composed eight of the eleven tracks for the CD and I was wondering if the writing preceded the band. But it looks like it was the other way around.
Christian: There was a song that I had already written, The Shade of the Cedar Tree—that was actually a song from my first CD. I thought it would be a good time to re-record it. Other than that I believe everything else was brand new.
Jake: Who else contributed to the writing for the CD?
Christian: Eric Reed wrote one of the songs, I recorded one of Freddie Hubbard’s lesser-known songs called Theme for Kareem, and we recorded an old standard called, “Where are You.”
Jake: Is it true that you got the name for the band in a “Name that Band” contest?
Christian: That’s correct, at the Monterey Jazz Festival. After we played the Vanguard, we didn’t play together for another year. We had two gigs, one in Brazil, and the Monterey Jazz festival. We played the festival on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday we announced that we’re having a name the band contest, and everyone could submit a band name to my website, and we would check them overnight and name the winner on Sunday. In that 24 HR period, we had over 3000 entries, and my manager and I knew that there was no way in the world we were going to be able to go through this overnight. We figured we needed about a week to go through everything. We finally settled on Inside Straight. Stylistically speaking, it seemed to sum up the band perfectly.
Bass Videos
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024…
Brian Bromberg is one heavy-hitting bass player and I am in awe of his talent as one of the few individuals who is equally proficient on electric and upright bass.
You might remember our conversation back in 2018 when he released his powerhouse Funk album. Brian’s “A Little Driving Music” album is a staple on all our road trips and his Jaco and Jimi Hendrix tribute albums are mind-blowing… and I could go on and on.
Now, Brian has taken on the arduous task of producing an album paying tribute to the late, great, Scott LaFaro. He teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero and Brian delivers a commanding performance on upright. The entire album is a masterpiece and a real treat to listen to track after track.
Join us as Brian shares the details behind this project and more.
Photo, Michel Bocandé
Featured Videos
Visit Online
brianbromberg.net
FB @BrianBrombergBassist
YouTube
Cover
Leland Sklar, Over Half a Century of Bass, March 2024
We all have enjoyed Leland Sklar’s Bass lines for over half a century.
You might remember that we had him on our cover back in 2017 and did an update when he launched his book “Everybody Loves Me” in 2020. It was exciting to hear that The Immediate Family had got back together in the studio to work on their own music in 2019 and are now up to two albums.
Just last December, Magnolia Pictures released a documentary titled “Immediate Family” where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive contributions Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Ross Kunckle, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell have made in countless songs that are the very essence of our daily personal musical soundtracks. Seeing the astronomical roster of performers they have supported over many years is very eye-opening. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Now, I am thrilled to bring you a special chat with Leland Sklar where we go more in-depth into the bass side of his musical journey.
Photos: Header, Rob Shanahan – Cover Photo, Jay Gilbert/Chris Schmitt
Featured Videos:
Skin In the Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbnzIrdjJ8
from new album Skin In The Game
The Toughest Girl In Town – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQLZIRfLjU
from new album Skin In The Game
Fair Warning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DN18DYwLsU –
from the self-titled album The Immediate Family
Visit Online
www.immediatefamilyband.com/
www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily
www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Bass Videos
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More – February 2024
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More…
I have always been a huge Styx fan. Their music kept me awake during countless nights studying and gave my imagination a place to escape when I had a moment to take a break.
I had the immense opportunity to chat with STYX bassist Ricky Phillips for our August Cover in 2017 and follow his projects as time passed. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to catch up with Ricky as he has been super-busy over the past six years.
Join me as we take a deep dive into the band’s most recent album “Crash the Crown” and EP “The Same Stardust”. Ricky shares some insights into the herculean team effort behind the scenes and the musical process that keeps them ever so busy and how he has updated his sound.
Without further ado… Here is Ricky Phillips!
Photo: Jason Powell
Featured Videos:
“Crash of the Crown” lyric video
“Reveries” lyric video
“Save Us From Ourselves” lyric video
“Sound the Alarm” lyric video
“Too Much Time On My Hands” Zoom video 2020
Visit online:
www.Styxworld.com
FB & IG @styxtheband
Bass Videos
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024…
Those of us who were around back in the 70’s remember how certain songs on the radio resonated with us. It turns out that many of these iconic melodies came from Foreigner and they were part of our personal soundtracks!
After all these years, the band is going as strong as ever with Jeff Pilson firing away on bass midstream into a 2-year farewell tour.
I am excited to be able to bring you all the details about Jeff’s musical Journey, the farewell tour in progress, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Cover Photo: Krishta Abruzziini / Video Photos: Krishta Abruzzini, Karsten Staiger, Gina Hyams
Featured Videos
For more news on FOREIGNER and upcoming Farewell Tour dates, fans can visit:
foreigneronline.com
facebook.com/Foreigner
twitter.com/ForeignerMusic
instagram.com/foreignerlive
youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
Also on FB @officialjeffpilson
Bass Videos
Rodney O’Quinn, Rockin’ Hard Through the Years – December 2023
Interview With Foghat Bassist Rodney O’Quinn…
Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.
Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.
Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photos:
Cover, Jake Coughlin
Video Thumbnail, Tom Apathy
Photos used in the video: Kerry Quinn, Chuck Lanza, Kim Granger, Kenneth Strohm, Jake Coughlin, Jay Jylika
Featured Videos:
1st Single from Sonic Mojo – Official “Drivin’ On”
2nd Single from Sonic Mojo – “She’s a Little Bit of Everything Official Video
“Road Fever”- California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
“Stone Blue” – Rodney O’Quinn Bass/Lead Vocals – Don Odell’s Legends – Woonsocket, R.I – 10/15/22 – The Stadium Theater
The Earl’s Court – Season 2, Episode 7: Funny Guys
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – CasinoRama – 6-9-23
FOGHAT “Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed” – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 1/28/22
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
Visit Online:
www.foghat.com
www.facebook.com/Foghat
www.twitter.com/FOGHAT
www.instagram.com/foghat_official
www.youtube.com/user/FOGHATMUSIC
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
